Band 6 ECT Practitioner

An opportunity has arisen within Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust for a band 6 ECT Practitioner based in Devizes, Wiltshire.

The post is clinical, but has many different and very interesting aspects to it. An ECT practitioner draws on knowledge learned as an RMN but also has a range of knowledge and skills in physical health care.

Wiltshire ECT team is a high achieving team having received an Excellence rating at ECTAS audits for the last 9 years. The team regularly drives innovation and change at national level and we are influential in changes in ECT practice by having team members who sit on national boards.

Previous work in an ECT clinic is not required as all training will be given on the job. A good understanding of NEWS is required, knowledge around physical health will be gained in this role.

The base is at Green Lane hospital, the covering of the clinics in the 3 district general hospitals is shared between team members, so being a car driver is required. Clinics usually start at 8am but occasionally due to delays in the district general hospitals you may be required to work beyond 4pm. The team currently does not provide a service on Bank holidays.

Working in partnership with the ECT Team you will be part of a highly motivated team to continue to deliver an excellent service to patients and carers.

You will provide clinical support to the ECT Team, working closely with all team members, sharing skills and information, viewing the clinic as one part of the continuum of care and facilitating opportunities for patients to benefit from, whilst maintaining and improving standards of practice in ECT.

You will be experienced and confident when leading, developing and motivating a team. Acting as a role model at all times and contributing to the provision of nursing expertise and specialist knowledge. You must be a problem solver with strong critical thinking. You should be motivated to change healthcare outcomes for patients by interpretation of data audit.

Based at the ECT clinic in Green Lane Hospital, you will also work with the Team in theatres in the Acute Trusts providing a service to those patients with very complex physical health needs. The team is the most peripatetic service in England and a busy one with 39 referring consultant psychiatrists. A flexible working approach is required. The role is interesting with many different dynamics but challenging.

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

CLINICAL

• Demonstrate and hold an in-depth knowledge of physiological monitoring practices which encompasses:

Suitable preparation of the environment.

In depth understanding of NEWS, and vital signs monitoring.

Pre-treatment clinical assessments.

The impact of a persons physical health on their mental well being.

Complete the ECT staff training matrix.

• Form strong positive working relationships across all areas of the service and demonstrate strong empathy with patients and carers.
• Communicate fluently and persuasively across a variety of different media. Show strong listening and sensing skills.
• Maintain a disciplined and professional level of performance under sustained or situational pressure.
• Manage patient care to ensure high professional standards.
• Ensure all staff are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.
• Work closely with Consultants, ODPs and many other health care professionals in the organisation of patient care.
• Use reflective practice to continually develop and improve nursing skills.
• Co-operate with policies and protocol in line with clinical governance, especially in relation to service accreditation.
• Comply with the Professional Code of Conduct, relevant legislation, procedures and policies.
• Undertake regular review of performance (appraisal) with the line manager to agree personal and service goals.
• Assist in ensuring that ECT treatment is available, and that obstacles (such as broken machines, unavailability of specific specialist…