Registered Nurse (Mental Health) Position Description TITLE LOCATION AWARD/SALARY APPOINTMENT SERVICE AREA REPORTS TO SUPERVISION Registered Nurse (Mental Health) Various Positions - North West Tasmania SCHADS 2010 - Salary level determined by qualifications and experience Various Positions Part Time/Full Time Complex Mental Health Reports directly to the Service Coordinator / Manager Professional supervision organised with appropriate professional Purpose of the program The purpose of this program is for mental health nurses to provide clinical care and treatment services to adults with complex and severe mental illness in a primary care setting. Under the Rural Health Tasmania Inc. Integrated Coordinated Stepped Model of Care, the program aims to: deliver services to adults experiencing complex and severe mental health issues increases the efficiency and effectiveness of services for patients - particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes improve the coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time. improve coordination of care and services between health and other sectors provide an appropriate range of services and interventions to meet patients' needs (including comorbidities) within a stepped care model reduce hospital bed-days for adults with complex and severe mental health conditions improve equity of access to appropriate intensity services for adults with complex and severe mental illness reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for adults with complex and severe mental illness.
The Role Within the stepped care model, provide clinical assessment, screening, education, appropriate referral and support to individuals and groups and undertake early intervention activities and provide support for patients in a non-clinical setting. 1. With a primary focus on Mental Illness and comorbidities: Improve, promote and increase access to health checks, screening and assessment Improve, promote and increase access to healthy lifestyle programs Improve community health literacy information on lifestyle risk factors for mental health Improve coordination of care for high risk populations and reduce the number of preventable hospitalisations associated with complex mental health Reduce severity of symptoms in those people already affected and/or presenting with mental illness 2. Work effectively within a multidisciplinary environment collaborating with both internal and external service providers and staff and actively contribute to internal communication processes including attending and participating in team meetings 3. Active involvement in maintaining and continually improving the quality of service provision which may involve participation in research projects, quality improvement initiatives and innovations in evidence based practice. Maintain a high standard of documentation and data collection 4. Maintain knowledge of innovations in clinical practice and research, and maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills through participation in continuing professional development programs and annual training requirements as prescribed by the manager 5. Participate in the development and implementation of health promotion activities in collaboration with key stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation. 6. Actively participate in and contribute to the organisation s Quality & Safety and Work, Health & Safety processes and adhere to relevant legislation, policies and procedures 7. Perform other duties as envisaged by the assigned classification under the relevant industrial award or agreement and in accordance with the skills, competence and training of the occupant. SELECTION CRITERIA 1. Client Services: a. Demonstrated knowledge and skill working with patients with complex and severe Mental Illness and comorbidities including competence in assessment skills, counselling skills, group facilitation and presentation skills
b. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate health care activities c. Current and comprehensive knowledge of primary health care principals, the Social Determinants of Health, legal requirements and harm minimization approaches relevant to the practice setting d. Sound analytical and problem solving skills e. Assesses the holistic health needs of patients and community groups 2. Quality: a. Participate and contribute to maintaining quality systems b. Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice 3. Communication, teamwork and networking a. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including skills in relating to people of all ages and culturally diverse backgrounds and working within a multidisciplinary team, and demonstrated competence in problem solving and decision making b. Collaborate with health providers and support services internal and external to the organisation c. Ensure ongoing contact with relevant health providers, support services and organisations d. Provide education, support and assistance to GP s, practise staff, other health professionals and support services regarding the goals and objectives of the program e. Conduct case conferencing with relevant agencies f. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team 4. Information and Records Management: All employees are responsible and accountable to: a. Create records according to RHT, Primary Health, Commonwealth and State Government needs and RHT processes to adequately document the activities in which they take part b. Register documents in the approved RHT Information Management System c. Access information for legitimate work purposes only d. Contribute to the KPI s and deliverables of the program e. Provide reports to the Service Manager/Coordinator by due dates
All employees must not: a. Destroy delete or alter records without proper authority; or b. Remove information, documents or records from RHT without permission 5. Workplace Health and Safety: a. Demonstrated knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety legislation and practise REQUIREMENTS Essential Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and/or Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). Relevant qualification and experience in a mental health setting or accreditation as a mental health/psychiatric nurse or ability to obtain accreditation. Sound understanding and ability to care for patients and families of patients affected by complex and severe mental illness. Sound understanding of social determinants of health The Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 requires persons undertaking work in a regulated activity to be registered. A regulated activity is a child related service or activity defined in the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Regulations 2014. This registration must remain current and valid at all times whilst employed in this role and the status of this may be checked at any time during employment. Current Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Current drivers licence Desirable Relevant post-graduate qualification with 2-5 years experience in clinical, community, private mental health setting Proficiency in communication technologies (computer, email, mobile phone, etc.) Highly organised with ability to keep accurate notes and records Experience with health IT systems and reports Proven ability to establish and build good stakeholder relationships and to network with individuals from other organisations or groups
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge The incumbent must have proficient knowledge in the following areas: patients rights on confidentiality issues, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times advocacy and how to proactively acts as a patient advocate, responding with empathy and respect to resolve patient and family concerns and recognises opportunities for improvement to meeting patient concerns case management and confidential record keeping practices all relevant legislation, policies and practices referral and care pathways program management and delivery program evaluation needs and risk assessment patient and family centred approach to care Skills The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills: emergency response skills Highly developed skills and analytical and problem solving skills demonstrate good decision making in experience in the use of computer applications dealing with safety issues and with stress management skills aggressive and/or intoxicated clients, Demonstrated experience in if required mediation and negotiations skills undertaking complex activities in short timeframes conflict resolution skills knowledge to assess and identify effective verbal and listening communications skills understanding of GPs, general practice clients at risk from harm or abuse and to respond within RHT / legislative requirements staff and other service providers to effective written communications achieve best practice outcomes for all participants skills including the ability to prepare proposals, reports and policies effective public relations skills relationship management skills to research and program development engage with patients, their carer(s), skills Highly developed organisation and be able to work cooperatively as a part time management skills of a team be able to manage his/her own case files on an independent basis
Personal Attributes The incumbent must maintain strict confidentiality in performing their duties. The incumbent must also demonstrate the following personal attributes: be honest and trustworthy be respectful possess cultural awareness and sensitivity be flexible Please address the SELECTION CRITERIA, include a current CV/Resume and cover letter and email your application or address any enquiries to hr@ruralhealthtas.com.au.