Casual Term..........................................................

Contract Term..........................................................

(optional for Division but must be completed by Authority classifying position)

This position is classified at Clinical Nurse (Mental Health) by virtue of the requirement to perform mental health nursing duties in addition to the defined duties of a Registered Nurse Level 1.

Uses the process of nursing to deliver direct and comprehensive nursing care and individual case management to a particular group of patients within the practice setting. Plans, coordinates and evaluates services relating to a particular group of patients in the practice setting, as delegated by the Clinical Nurse Manager. Participate, as required, in the provision of the 24 hour emergency service. Participate in the management of action research projects and policy development.

These duties shall substantially include but are not confined to:

• Delivering direct and comprehensive nursing care and individual case management to patients/clients within the practice setting;
• Coordinating services including those of other disciplines or agencies to individual patients/clients within the practice setting;
• Providing education, counselling and group work services orientated towards the promotion of health status improvements of patients/clients within the practice setting;
• Providing support, direction and education to newer or less experienced staff and enrolled general nurses, student nurses and student enrolled nurses;
• Accepting accountability for the employee’s nursing care and service delivery, in accordance with Flinders Medical Centre standards and policies;
• Participating in action research and policy development within the practice setting;
• Relieving the Clinical Nurse Manager as required.

POSITION SUMMARY

(A short statement of the broad purpose of the position)

• The Clinical Nurse (Mental Health) is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager.
• Professionally accountable to the Nursing Director.

• Functionally accountable to the treatment management team.
• Responsible for the supervision of registered and enrolled nurses, and student nurses.
• Personally accountable and responsible for safe, effective nursing practice.

POSITION CHARACTERISTICS

(A number of statements that explain the major features of the position and the surrounding environment.)

The Clinical Nurse (Mental Health) is responsible for:

• Implementing, utilising and coordinating prevention, education and health promotion programs aimed at empowering individuals in relation to their mental health status;

• Monitoring and ensuring the responsiveness of services and programs in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team;

• Identifying service needs and setting priorities;

• Applying nursing knowledge in counselling and group work skills to facilitate individualised care delivery;

• Being responsible for planning and coordinating services, as delegated by the Clinical Nurse Manager;

• Assisting in the management of nursing clinical research studies within the practice setting;

• Being involved in evaluation of the service delivery through active participation in quality assurance activities;

• Maintaining contemporary professional knowledge and skills in relation to mental health nursing through ongoing staff development, education and performance appraisals;

• Collaborating with the Clinical Nurse Manager and the Nurse Educator in educational programs for patients, relatives, staff and other groups as directed;

• Providing support and education to new and less experienced staff and students;

• Assisting, as required, in the provision of the 24 hour Emergency Service;
• Practising within own abilities and qualifications and accepting accountability for own nursing care and service delivery, in accordance with Flinders Medical Centre standards and policies;
• The safety of patients/clients;
• The quality of patient/client care provided to own specific caseload and/or delivered by supervised staff;
• Establishing and maintaining communication that facilitates nursing teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration;
• Functioning in accordance with common law, legislation and the profession’s code of ethics;
• Participating in research and policy development within the practice setting;
• Maintaining contemporary nursing knowledge.

ORGANISATION

(This identifies the reporting relationships associated with the position. A separate organisation chart for the division/area is to be attached.)

Supervisor reports to: Nursing Director

Supervisor’s Position: Clinical Nurse Manager

Subject Position: Clinical Nurse (Mental Health), Level 2

Staff Supervised: Registered and Enrolled Nurses and student nurses

Ward Clerks and Patient Service Assistants, as required

STATISTICS RELEVANT TO THE POSITION

(Statistical data about those areas on which the position has direct impact. Not all positions will have measurable statistical data.)

Financial: Nil

RURAL AND REMOTE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

JOB SPECIFICATION

Job and Person Specification Approval

1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to organisation goals

(Its expected outcome and how it is to be achieved)

The Clinical Nurse (Mental Health) is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager for the care of patients/clients and their families during hospitalisation, demonstrating and applying a knowledge and understanding of all aspects of nursing care. The application of that knowledge and experience ensures patients’/clients’ needs are met and in liaison with other Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurses and the Clinical Nurse /Manager, maintains clinical standards within a multi-disciplinary team environment.

2. Reporting/Working Relationships

(To whom the person reports, staff or whom the person is responsible, and other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation.)

The position reports to the Clinical Nurse Manager of the unit. The incumbent is responsible for providing support, guidance and direction to less experienced Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and student nurses. The incumbent liaises with professional and non-professional staff within the unit and other departments in the Centre.

3. Special Conditions

(Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc.)

4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities

(Group into major areas of responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance.)

4.1 Ensures that comprehensive nursing care is provided to clients by:

• utilising a systematic approach to patient/client assessment;

• establishing a data base through a nursing history including psychosocial and physical status with reference to other available data;

• interpreting data to establish nursing diagnoses and patient/client problems;

• completing documentation according to policy;

• involving patients/clients, family and significant others in care planning;

• developing and documenting a plan of nursing care to achieve optimal health;

• planning of discharge and follow-up care;

• delivering planned care in accordance with accepted nursing principles and standards, hospital policies and procedures, patients’/clients’ changing needs and prescribed medical treatment;

• collaborating with medical staff and members of other disciplines to provide patient/client care

• taking appropriate action to prevent patient/client injury;

• providing information which assists patients/clients to make informed decisions about their care in accordance with their differing values, beliefs and biases;

• maintaining the patient’s/client’s comfort and dignity and safeguarding his/her personal privacy;

• completing discharge plan and arranging referrals to other community agencies;

• maintaining confidentiality in matters relating to patients/clients and staff;

• evaluating effectiveness of care and revising plan of care in consultation with other nursing staff and members of other health disciplines.

4.2 Contributes to a team approach and interdisciplinary collaboration that improves patient care delivery by:

• actively participating as a member of the unit team;

• being clear, consistent and flexible;

• applying appropriate interpersonal and communication skills;

• effectively participating and contributing as a member of the clinical unit.

4.3 Demonstrates ability to undertake a Ward Coordinator role by:

• coordinating and delegating patient/client care;

• providing leadership;

• acting as a clinical resource;

• managing human and material resources.

4.4 Participates in the effective management of the unit by:

• organising workload for effective care of an assigned group of patients/clients;

• delegating aspects of care appropriately to Registered and Enrolled Nurses and others and providing supervision;

• prioritising and allocating workload according to patients’/clients’ needs and staff competence on a shift-by-shift basis as Ward Coordinator;

• assisting the Clinical Nurse Manager in monitoring activity, collecting and analysing information;

• suggesting and participating in change in conjunction with others.

4.5 Improves the health education of patients/clients and families by:

• providing appropriate education material, accurate information and advice.

4.6 Increases the knowledge and skills of nurses by contributing to:

• unit orientation and unit training and development programs as required;

• preceptorship for Graduate Nurses, new staff and students as required;

• the sharing of knowledge and providing constructive feedback to nursing colleagues regarding clinical performance.

4.7 Demonstrates and maintains a satisfactory knowledge for safe practice by:

• assessing own performance and identifying own learning needs in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager

• assuming responsibility for own professional development through attendance to internal and external education programs

4.8 Participates in policy development to guide nursing practice by:

• assisting the Clinical Nurse Manager in determining unit philosophy, objectives, policies and standards in liaison with appropriate others;

• interpreting and supporting unit philosophy, objectives, policies and standards;

• working within organisational and divisional philosophy, objectives and policies.

4.9 Contributes to quality improvement and research activities that improve nursing care by:

• demonstrating a sound knowledge of Quality Management principles and actively participating in Quality Management projects;

• evaluating clinical practice and patient/client outcomes against agreed standards in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager and others;

• participating in and facilitating research;

• identifying and reporting clinical nursing practice that may require investigation.

4.10 Ensures professional standards for nursing practice are maintained by:

complying and practising within legislation and the profession’s code of ethics

• being an effective role model;

• maintaining confidentiality in relation to information gained within the Unit;

• acting to rectify unsafe nursing practice or unprofessional conduct;

• interpreting and promoting the nursing profession as appropriate;

NB Performance will be assessed at three months and annually thereafter, or

more frequently as determined by the Clinical Nurse Manager on the basis of outcomes outlined in the Job Specification.

4.11 Responsible and accountable for taking reasonable care to protect own health, safety and welfare and avoiding adversely affecting the health and safety of any other person at work through any act or omission by:

• complying with occupational health, safety and welfare policies and other written arrangements for occupational health, safety and welfare at work;

• participating in occupational health, safety and welfare programs, for example Think Back;

• complying with any reasonable instruction and follow safe work practices in relation to occupational health, safety and welfare at work;

• using and care for any plant provided for occupational health, safety and welfare purposes;
• participating in training programs and on the job training programs for occupational health, safety and welfare;

• reporting all incidents, accidents and observed hazards to their supervisor or manager as soon as possible, and assist in the investigation processes;

• supporting the role of the health and safety representative by keeping them informed of any issues relating to health, safety and welfare in the workplace, and;

• ensuring that they are not, by the consumption of alcohol or a drug, in such a state as to endanger their own health or safety at work or the health and safety of any other person, and;

• participating in appraisals to evaluate their OHS performance.

Acknowledged by Occupant..........................................................(Date).................................

(Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)

• Ability to coordinate and facilitate planned care for patients in an acute phase of their illness.

• Ability to work as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team.

• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the health care team and significant others.

• Ability to establish and maintain sound working relationships with staff at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to relate, mediate or liaise with community health care agencies, self help groups and consumer representatives.

• Ability to manage people including problem solving, negotiating and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to be self directed and motivated.

• Ability to function effectively in a changing environment.

• Physically able to fulfil the role responsibilities.

Experience

• Knowledge of contemporary nursing theory and practice.

• Beginning knowledge of case management.

• Knowledge of pharmacological treatment of acute symptomatology.

• Demonstrates a knowledge of and commitment to staff development of self and others.

• Knowledge of research methodology and quality assurance mechanisms.

• Knowledge and understanding of performance appraisal systems.

(To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements)