The Role: There is a 20-year mortality gap between patients with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and the general population. Much of.....
The Role: There is a 20-year mortality gap between patients with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and the general population. Much of this is due to cardiovascular disease and other physical health conditions. GP practices maintain a SMI register as per their Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF), which requires this cohort of patients to be offered an annual health check. The purpose of this project is to provide an enhanced check as recommended by NICE guidance to promote engagement in particularly hard to reach patients back into primary care. This is a specialist role working in Islington General Practices and local mental health teams. Additionally, this is a high profile, outward facing post focusing on supporting colleagues in primary care to treat people with psychosis whilst enhancing primary care access to specialist support from R&R teams. The post-holder will have a high level of autonomy to work within a mini team under the supervision of a Specialist Primary Care Nurse aligned to a Primary Care Network. They will be a specialist resource and skilled in meeting the mental health and physical needs of people living with serious mental illness in the community. About Islington GP Federation Islington GP Federation (IGPF) is a growing organisation representing 31 practices; we have established ourselves as a leader in new ways of working, including running Islingtons extended access primary care services (I:HUB) as well as supporting the Islington Primary Care Networks (PCNs). Our current range of services include the Extended Access Service, I:HUB, Community Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Integrated Community Gynaecology, practice-based pharmacists and a range of practice support mechanisms. IGPF works very closely with a range of partners including the regional commissioning group, NHS England, Healthy London Partnership, Public Health, local hospitals such as UCLH, Whittington Health and the London Borough of Islington. IGPF is the host organisation for the Primary Care Network (PCN) workforce and the Islington Training Hub and has been working for over two years to create training and development programmes that meet the needs of staff working in primary and community care settings. IGPF runs two Islington GP practices on caretaking contracts; a third practice will be taken on within this financial quarter. Job Responsibilities 1. Clinical 1.1 Will be practice based and aligned with a defined number of practices in Primary Care Network working under the supervision of Specialist Primary Care Nurse. 1.2 Will work as an autonomous specialist health care assistant in primary care under the supervision of a Specialist Primary Care Nurse caring for people with Severe Mental Illness. 1.3 Undertake an annual health check on patients on the primary care Mental Health Register comprising of: blood pressure, pulse, weight & height [BMI], smoking status, alcohol status, take blood test for lipids including cholesterol & blood sugar [HbA1c], calculate Qrisk score, request ECG and spirometry where clinically indicated, and provide lifestyle advice around diet and exercise, along with signposting to local services. 1.4 Discuss and prompt patients regarding other health interventions such as cervical screening, mammograms, bowel screening, sexual health screening and immunization programmes as appropriate. 1.5 Cross check RIO to update patients records with correct contact details and input any recent health checks undertaken by the Trust- coding in the data on EMIS. 1.6 To assist and support practice teams in managing service users with psychosis specific needs, a specific objective will be to develop the practice teams core skills in caring for people with psychosis. 1.7 Will have specific expertise and will deliver interventions in managing common physical health conditions/issues such as COPD, Diabetes, and smoking cessation. 1.8 To report and discuss any concerns about patients/service users overall wellbeing/safeguarding and risk to Specialist Primary Care Nurse. 1.9 Plan and prioritise urgent and less urgent care. 2. Professional 2.1 To participate in managerial supervision on a regular basis. 2.2 To undertake yearly appraisal as per IGPF Policy. 2.3 Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and other professionals. 2.4 Ensure that care delivered maintains the dignity and privacy of the patients at all times. 3 Personal Responsibilities 3.1 To work in ways that promote and demonstrate respect or services users, colleagues, and carers. 3.2 To participate in supervision, annual appraisal, and Personal Development Planning. 3.3 To identify own training and educational needs through this process. The Trust will support the post-holder with an individualised training plan to address any gaps in their skills and knowledge. 3.4 To ensure an up to date and contemporary knowledge of mental health policy and legislation. 4 Partnership Working Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, the London Boroughs of Islington and Islington GP Federation are working in partnership to provide mental health services. Employees work closely together and have joint management and supervision arrangements. In addition, you will be expected to collect and report data relating to performance indicators for each respective organisation. Generic Responsibilities: All Staff at Islington GP Federation have a duty to conform to the following: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: A good attitude and positive action towards Equality, Diversity & Inclusion creates and environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law. Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect. Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect. Confidentiality: In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to IGPF as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Federation may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Federation policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Health & Safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Federations Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to IGPF guidelines. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Personal/Professional Development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Federation as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Quality & Continuous Improvement: IGPF continually strives to improve work processes which deliver health care with improved results across all areas of IGPFs service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within IGPF, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources. The post-holder will: o Apply IGPF policies, standards and guidance o Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. o Participate in audit where appropriate.