Role Overview

To coordinate and provide specialist acute crisis psychiatric interventions and expertise to service users in crisis 24 hrs per day 7 days per week 52 weeks per year within their own home / residence. Provide a gate keeping service to the in-patient wards. To facilitate early discharge and provide an effective and viable alternative to hospital admission for clients in crisis by developing an individualised approach to the practical and functional needs of the service user. To provide specialist crisis resolution support and advice to other agencies and members of the multidisciplinary team. To act up in the absence of the team manager as appropriate. To act as a role model and resource for junior/less experienced staff and students.

Will act as an independent practitioner within a defined community setting while liaising with other professionals as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a specialist assessment of risk to clients coming into contact with the service.
• Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care with a working knowledge of local, national policies and legislation, which govern current service provision and audit.
• Process knowledge into a comprehensive assessment tailored to individual needs, involving the service user and carers and other professionals where there may be differences of both expert and non-expert opinion and where not all of the relevant information may be available.
• Participate effectively in multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team working.
• Evaluate assessment information in light of service delivery and identified unmet need.
• Intervene and resolve crisis for individuals in hospital or community settings through:
  • Identifying risk categories and specific risk factors as well as recognising individual strengths and opportunities for positive risk taking.
  • Recognising various mental health problems and undertaking or participating in comprehensive, complex collaborative, holistic needs-based assessment, including the use of standardised assessment measures / tools.
  • Recognising the health and social factors that precipitate acute relapse and crisis.
• Work intensively and develop an individualised approach to the practical and functional needs of the service user.
• Be aware of the impact of aspects of social and cultural diversity on the mental health of individuals and groups.
• Have a good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and its use in the community.
• Responsible for transportation of medication for clients.