Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health

Hours: Fulltime
Reporting to: Director of Nursing and Addiction Services
Location: based in Meath and Wicklow

Role overview

Peter McVerry Trust is a national housing and homeless charity committed to reducing homelessness and the harm caused by substance misuse and social disadvantage.

Clinical Focus

The clinical focus will be in adherence with the care planning process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. The responsibilities of the clinical nurse specialist with be to participate in and contribute towards the development of systems and practices to support the need of the participant group. The responsibility will also lie with the clinical nurse specialize to carry out research in line with organizational systems and practices associated with conducting research. The ongoing development of the enhanced health supports programme will be a integral part of the role and one in which the clinical nurse specialist will contribute towards.

Advocate 

The role of the clinical nurse specialist with be that of advocacy for the participant group. There is a large number of participants residing within the housing first service who have not had links to or been provided care by mainstream mental health services as a result of complex needs and often are faced with challenges in communicating their needs. Advocacy is an integral aspect of the role.

Responsibilities

The role will include but not limited to, the following key responsibilities;

• Professional Knowledge Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will: 
  • o Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regard to The Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2014) 
  • Maintain a high standard of professional behavior and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to develop and maintain the competences required for professional practice 
  • Adhere to relevant legislation and regulation 
  • Adhere to appropriate lines of authority within the nurse management structure
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will demonstrate: 
  • In-depth knowledge of the role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) 
  • The ability to formulate a plan of care based on findings and evidence-based standards of care and practice guidelines 
  • The ability to follow up and evaluate a plan of care 
  • Possess a working knowledge of factors that present for participants within the homeless services
  • Knowledge of mental health promotion principles/coaching/self-management strategies that will enable people to take greater control over decisions and actions that affect their mental health and wellbeing 
  • An understanding of the principles of clinical governance and risk management as they apply directly to Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health 
  • A working knowledge of audit and research processes
• Planning and Organizing 
  • Demonstrates an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment 
  • Anticipates problems and issues and take preventative action to address these 
  • Delegates effectively to ensure objectives are achieved 
  • Sets realistic timeframes 
  • Prepares by ensuring adequate resources are available
  • Ensures resources are utilized in an effective and efficient manner
• Professionalism 
  • Demonstrates the ability to work with multiple stakeholders across clinical and non-clinical services 
  • Manages others fairly and consistently 
  • Demonstrates the ability to work under pressure 
  • Awareness of one’s own strengths and weakness 
  • Demonstrates resilience by not taking things personally and striving for a successful outcome 
  • Maintains appropriate level of visibility throughout the Organisation
• Communication 
  • Expresses ideas clearly and logically, supported by the appropriate evidence to persuade others 
  • Information sharing in an open and timely manner ensuring to keep relevant people informed 
  • Delivers presentations to groups with confidence and credibility 
  • Ability to facilitate two-way communication between conflicting parties 
  • Effectively communicates new initiatives and ideas to ensure successful implementation
• Team Player 
  • Proactively develops and nurtures workplace relationships
  • Establishes teams and manages the process 
  • Understands and tolerates different needs and viewpoints 
  • Utilizes team strengths and attributes in achieving goals 
  • Engages input from all team members 
  • Facilitates and manages team meetings to ensure to establish a shared sense of purpose and unity 
  • Ensures everyone is aware of each other’s role on the team
  • Undertake any other agreed duties to ensure the provision of the service.

Experience Required:

Qualifications, Skills and Experience required;

• Be a registered nurse in the Psychiatric Division on the active Register of Nurses
• Hold a relevant (level 8) post-graduate qualification in Mental Health
• Hold a full current driver license and have access to a car
• Five years post qualification experience
• Two years post qualification experience in Mental Health Specialist Care. 
• Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development
• Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice
• Experience in the area of mental health community nursing
• Experience of working with individuals with a background of homelessness desirable

Other Information

• Confidentiality: It is a condition of service that all information obtained during the course of employment, especially with regard to participants affairs is treated with the strictest confidence.
• Equal Opportunities: To implement Equal Opportunities into your daily practice at all times
• Health and Safety: To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your Colleagues in accordance with relevant PMVT policies and procedures.

How to apply:

To apply please download the application form or visit pmvtrust.ie/careers: Application Form

Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@pmvtrust.ie along with your CV and Cover Letter.

Peter McVerry Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Registration Number 412953 | Charity Number CHY7256