PICU Outreach Senior Practitioner

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management responsibilities
• Occasional cross-cover of same grade banded staff within the PICU expected.
• Support recruitment processes as required.
• Assist with the formal complaints process related to PICU care and transfers by supporting investigations and implementing appropriate actions.
• Set standards of behaviour and performance in line with Trust objectives and KPIs.
• Ensure efficient use of Oxleas resources within own area of responsibility, promoting value for money and service sustainability.
• Act as an authorised signatory for approved departmental financial payments, responsible for the efficient procurement and management of essential physical assets and supplies, adhering to financial policies and procedures.
• Actively contribute to monitoring expenditure against agreed budgets for out of area PICU placements, identifying opportunities for financial efficiencies or initiatives.

Leadership
• Provide visible leadership and advanced clinical expertise in mental health, playing a key role in the direct delivery of care.
• Act as a clinical leader and ambassador for the Trust's standards of care when liaising with external providers, ensuring quality and value for money in out-of-area placements.
• Act as a clinical leader within the acute care setting supporting the development of evidence-based mental health practices in line with Trust policies, NICE guidance and PICU guidelines.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and support to junior staff, contributing to their professional development and promoting a culture of continuous learning, across Adult PICU and inpatient settings in the Acute & Crisis Directorate.
• Attend and contribute to key handovers, leading complex case discussions related to PICU service users, including their risks, needs, and care planning.
• Lead MDT discussions relating to allocation of appropriate pathways for patients with complex needs entering and exiting the PICU pathway.
• Act as a clinical role model, mentor and educator, providing supervision, support and guidance to healthcare team members in Adult Acute and PICU settings to promote excellence in clinical practice.
• Facilitate clinical debriefings and clinical supervision sessions relating to PICU patients as needed.
• Deliver local induction programmes to newly recruited nurses across Adult Inpatient/PICU settings.
• Act as a role model and take the lead in restrictive practice interventions when working within the clinical environment.
• Participate in the planning, organisation and delivery of specific and education programmes for the multi-disciplinary healthcare teams within the acute mental health services.
• Play an active and constructive role in service improvement initiatives, delivering agreed actions within set timeframes and supporting colleagues effectively through periods of change.
• Ensure clinical environment is conducive to supporting the education and learning of all staff and students.

Clinical
• Autonomously conduct advanced clinical assessments, including comprehensive reviews of patient records and face-to-face assessments (often in external or challenging environments), to formulate and direct care plans.
• Proactively develop, implement, and evaluate safe, person-centred care strategies in partnership with service users and carers to support recovery journeys.
• Autonomously promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with complex mental health symptoms within relevant statutory frameworks.
• Ensure ongoing competence assurance through regular skills assessments and targeted training.
• Engage effectively with patients experiencing acute distress or hostility, utilising de-escalation and therapeutic engagement techniques.
• Able to conduct comprehensive assessments including thorough reviews of patient records and face to face assessments and prepare a professional summary including care plans.
• Apply advanced clinical knowledge to recommend adjustments to treatment plans where appropriate including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, and act as a patient advocate to ensure their needs and preferences are central to care decisions.
• Support the multidisciplinary team in empowering service users and their carers to make informed choices that enhance health and wellbeing.
• Adhere to all relevant Trust policies, procedures and the NMC Code of Conduct, seeking senior advice when faced with non-routine clinical challenges.

• Maintain and promote a safe and therapeutic environment, ensuring adherence to infection prevention protocols and promptly reporting potential risks or hazards.
• Lead the clinical response to challenging behaviours associated with acute mental illness during transitions of care, utilising de-escalation and therapeutic engagement techniques
• Manage and respond to challenging behaviours associated with acute mental illness.

• To be PMVA trained and competent in the use of restraint techniques.

• Work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

• Take responsibility for assessing complex care needs, developing and evaluating collaborative care plans, including Positive Behaviour Support plans, and setting high standards of care to ensure service quality.

• Demonstrate adaptability and professionalism in a challenging and varied environment, providing compassionate and high-quality care while upholding the Trust's values across all areas of practice.

Research
• Interpret and analyse relevant national policies related to PICU, providing expert guidance on their implications for the service, and leading on the implementation and evaluation of changes in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of internal and external factors influencing services and the rationale behind ongoing improvements.
• Evaluate the impact of service development initiatives and identify further actions to support progress toward strategic goals.
• To design and lead on audits of the PICU care pathway, including referral criteria, out-of-area placement duration, and patient outcomes, to drive quality improvement and service development.
• Participate in audits, research and quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing care and outcomes in PICU and other inpatient settings.
• Collaborate closely with Lived Experience Practitioners to ensure that hard-to-reach groups are actively involved in improvement projects across the Acute & Crisis directorate.

Communication
• Apply highly developed communication skills to ensure high-quality service delivery in complex and high-pressure environments.
• Facilitate continuity of care for service users with PICU needs by strengthening collaboration and communication between acute services and community teams.
• Respond promptly and effectively to concerns raised by service users or carers.
• Liaise with other agencies/teams, including police, forensic services, private PICU and Patient Flow Team, to ensure coordinated and effective care pathways.
• Clearly document all aspects of assessment, formulation and management plans using electronic record systems.
• Compile reports based on key performance indicators to contribute to development and improvement of services.
• Utilise the SBAR tool to effectively communicate clinical concerns and sensitive information with colleagues, including the Consultant Psychiatrist, Community Mental Health Team, Ward MDT and Safeguarding teams.
• Communicate complex information to patients and carers with clarity, adapting communication methods to meet individual needs.
• Maintain effective and professional communication with all service users, carers and healthcare team members, including attending multidisciplinary handovers and CPA (Care Programme Approach) reviews.
• Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in care planning and decision-making.
• Be knowledgeable about guidance and support services (e.g. PALS) and provide accessible information to patients, referring appropriately when challenges are identified.

On Call/Unsocial Hours
• Not applicable for this post.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Current NMC qualification
• Mentorship qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake training.
• Standalone Master's level module in Advanced Clinical Assessment, Diagnostics, or a related clinical field.
• NHS leadership qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a PICU setting as a clinical charge nurse or above
• Experience of research, evaluation, development and quality improvement approaches

Desirable criteria

• Management and leadership experience
• Teaching experience
• Experience in service development

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding of key issues/challenges of working in PICU setting
• Advanced clinical assessment and complex formulation skills
• Experience of effective MDT working

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of research/audit processes and application in practice

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. Remember, if you meet the minimum criteria for this role and you have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme - Please ensure you select this on your application form. We would encourage you to be open about your needs so we can work with you to design a comfortable and accessible interview experience. Any information you provide regarding a disability or a need for adjustments will be treated in confidence and will only be shared with colleagues who are supporting this request.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know by adding the relevant details when scheduling your preferred interview date and time. Please feel free to contact the appointing manager to discuss your needs.

We encourage applicants to contact the hiring manager before their interview, if they have any questions about the role or the process. This is a great way to get clarity and prepare effectively for the interview.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you're applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information. AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high volume of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 480.3KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 176.4KB)
• Important Additional Information For Candidates (please read carefully) (PDF, 160.6KB)
• Privacy Notice for Staff (PDF, 268.6KB)
• Staff Benefits (PDF, 2.5MB)