Specialist Nurse ECT Lead

Lead the safe delivery of ECT on treatment days, working closely with the ECT Consultant Psychiatrist, Consultant Anaesthetist and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Provide clinical and operational leadership for the ECT service.

Ensure ECT is delivered safely and in accordance with relevant legislation, national guidance and Trust policies.

Ensure the service meets ECTAS requirements and standards, including supporting and preparing the service for ECTAS peer review every three years.

Play an active role in clinical audits and Quality Improvement (QI) projects, using learning and outcomes to support the continued development and improvement of the ECT service.

Provide specialist ECT advice and support to patients, carers and clinical teams.

Lead and support ECT nursing and recovery staff through line management, clinical supervision, appraisal and professional development.

Maintain and develop specialist ECT and recovery competencies.

Provide ECT education and training to staff and students.

Contribute to clinical governance, research and service development.

Contribute to the development and review of Trust-wide ECT policies and protocols.

Monitor service performance and resources and maintain appropriate oversight of the ECT departmental budget.

The post holder will be responsible for clinical and operational management of all pan ECT services.

They are responsible for management of all patients referred in to the Clinic, their safe treatment and recovery in compliance with National and Trust protocols and guidelines.

The facilitation of both line management and clinical supervision and direction of other staff working within the Clinic in conjunction with the Lead ECT Consultant and Anaesthetist.

Providing information and guidance to referring clinical staff, liaison with patients, their N.O.K./others when applicable.

The monitoring and maintaining standards of practice. Enabling escorting clinical staff to be of effective assistance throughout the treatment process.

Maintaining accurate records, statistical information and providing the same to Trust management and statutory agencies as required for audit/other purposes. Collating of relevant performance data to feed into the locality, ensuring transparency, oversight and accountability for care provision and quality. Measuring the service against key performance indicators and formulating actions in response to this to ensure service provision is maintained at a high level.

To provide an educatory facility for other Trust staff as necessary and that this happens on a regular basis.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of mental health clustering activity within the team.

Maintaining financial oversight ensuring service provision remains in line with allocated budget.

Ensuring preparation of the ECT clinic for treatment, checking the safe working of all equipment and maintaining sufficient clinical resources and operational supplies. This includes maintaining the regular calibration of the Thymatron machines by Dantec alongside the yearly calibration checks of all medical equipment by the medical engineers.

Ensuring completion of appropriate, documentation, consent forms and prescription, and ensuring the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Acts are adhered to as pertaining to ECT.

Ensure TAC -Temporary Access Cards are signed in and out both on paper documents and on the App for governance purposes.

Ensuring preparation and assessment of patients prior to consent is complete with pre-treatment screening, including, ECG and blood work other monitoring checks, such as physical baseline observations and cognitive assessments that are required.

Lead team meetings prior to each session to ensure that information is passed to all staff in a timely manner, and minutes are taken for reference.

Planning of outpatient / in-patient attendance and following treatment, ensuring documentation and medical follow up or other after care is in place.

Providing patient centred practice, and as far as possible promoting the direct involvement of the patient and if appropriate, or, a significant other/carer in the planned treatment programme. Developing and updating a specific specialised ECT Care Plan for each service user.

Ensure clear, distinct communication to aid the safe and effective working of the NSFT

ECT Team in collaboration with the Anaesthetic Team during the procedure and as otherwise required.

To be competent in the theoretical knowledge and use of the ECT Thymatron Treatment Machine. Develop and maintain the practical skills required to operate the machine in providing correct stimulus to the patient during treatment by assisting the ECT Lead Consultant or nominated Deputy.

Be fully conversant with all local and national policies, protocols, and standards and be involved in regular review through appropriate Trust committees and ECTAS (ECT Accreditation Service).

Taking responsibility for ensuring that practice is informed by relevant local and national developments and is evidence based.

Make use of Audit tools to monitor practice and improve service provision.

To ensure the service provides high quality care to patients throughout their treatment and recovery. To lead on QI projects that directly improve the ECT service

To hold and maintain competency as a Recovery Practitioner assistant and hold as a minimum standard, the Intermediate Life Support qualification.

Provide support and guidance to escorting nurses updating the escort ECT competencies when necessary and provide teaching sessions on these skills.

Participation in local and national ECT forums.

Provide educatory sessions to nursing colleagues and students and/or other disciplines on a regular basis

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce, including those from the global majority. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Qualifications

Essential: - RMN or equivalent professional qualification.; - Degree Level Qualification or equivalent or equivalent level

Experience

Desirable: - Experience Of implementing evidence based practice and or service improvement initiative

Skills

Essential: - Confident manner. Approachable, tactful and diplomatic.

Knowledge

Essential: - Able to demonstrate sound dinical expertise and knowledge of mental health disorders and their treatments