Homeless Link Nurse

Job summary

Rochdale Health Alliance (RHA) is dedicated tocontracting and delivering high quality health services to the community ofHeywood Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) on behalf of its GP Practice members.Improving patient outcomes, experience, and keeping Primary Care at theforefront of the NHS reforms. It also delivers the Homeless Alliance ResponseTeam [HART] providing a pro-active Service to the homeless and transientpopulation of the borough.

Main duties of the job

There are a range of unique challenges thatnurses working with homeless patients or clients face. Often people without asecure home are not registered with a GP. If they move frequently, they may beless likely to attend scheduled appointments and programmes of treatment forcertain infections or long-term conditions becomes very difficult.

People without a secure home are also at greaterrisk of a number of health harms, including unsafe alcohol and drug use,infectious diseases, risk of experiencing violence, and mental health issues.

The HART team provide a link to Primary Care andwider services while offering GP Registration, Health Checks, low levelclinical interventions, advise, guidance, signposting and safeguarding support

About us

Rochdale Health Alliance (RHA) was established in 2016, by GP practices from across the Rochdale Borough.

Our Vision:

To work collaboratively with members, partners, and stakeholders to improve care and health outcomes for patients

To sustain the future of local Primary Care Practices

To be representative and supportive of all practices and lead the design and delivery of new ways of working - Ensuring local GP services are at the heart of the integrated system.

We have 31 member practices across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale and have a dedicated team on hand to support practice needs. Our dedicated team has expertise that can provide support and expertise in finance, HR, communications, project management and strategy, and our aim is to ensure we share our knowledge to help our members improve their resources.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This list of duties and responsibilities, whichfollows, represents a broad range of responsibilities, which may be required tobe undertaken either routinely or periodically,

with consultation and agreement by the postholder

Key workingrelationships

Clients/Patients

PETRUS

Hostel staff

RBC Adult Care

GMP

Non-statutoryagencies

VoluntaryAgencies

Mental HealthServices

Podiatry

Drug &Alcohol Services

Dental Services

GP Practices

Single Point ofAccess Service

Treatment RoomService

NWAS & UrgentCare Centre

RHA ManagementTeam

Responsibilitiesunderpinning the role

To develop a goodworking relationship with key partners listed above

To attendmeetings as required

To provide adviceand guidance on health issues to the staff at the Hostels

To ensure qualityservices and take account of service risks, with robust clinical assessment andcare planning skills

Clinicallyskilled in assessing and managing wound care and arranging referral to theTreatment Room Service

Provide writtenupdates/reports/presentations on the progress of the service as required

To deliver therequired clinical skills and competence to fulfill the role of the HARTOutreach Nurse

To develop a goodworking relationship with the wider health and social care teams to enable streamlined,timely care and response for the homeless and transient of the borough

To plan andorganise the post holders own workload, including contribution to audits/projectwork, and training sessions for Hostel staff as appropriate

Ensure recordsare managed in line with GDPR & RHA policy

To recordpersonally generated information through robust systems of working. (Personallygenerated information includes information and records relating to audit andclinical work undertaken by the post holder]

To maintain registration as a registered nurseand comply with appropriate professional codes

As appropriate tothe post, maintain and develop professional competence and expertise, keep upto date with clinical evidence and opinion, and local and national service, legislation,and policy developments, agree objectives and a personal development plan andparticipate in the appraisal process with your line manager

To undertake anyother duties commensurate with the post holders grade as agreed with the postholders line manager

All employeesshould understand that it is their personal responsibility to comply with allorganisational and statutory requirements ( health and safety, equaltreatment and diversity, confidentiality and clinical governance)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to Degree Level or equivalent experience Tissue Viability/Leg Ulcer management-ENB or equivalent Mandatory registration with Nursing & Midwifery Council

Desirable

Independent prescriber (Non-Medical) or willing to undertake the qualification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working within Primary and/or Community Nursing Sector In depth clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare. Experience of Long-Term Conditions Management Clinically competent in the provision of assessment, care planning Clinical competence in wound care/leg ulcer management Experience in Multi-Disciplinary Working Experience in teaching clinical skills and competences Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to a variety of audiences ( clients)

Desirable

Evidence of implementing Clinical and Service improvements An understanding of Primary Care and the role within Placed Based Care and Neighbourhood working

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