STUDENT PLACEMENT INFORMATION

Older Peoples Community Mental health team

OPCMHT

Tel: 01738 562332

Student name:
Mentor name:
Associate Mentor name:
Start Date:
Finish date:

INTRODUCTION TO OPCMHT

PHILOSOPHY OF OPCMHT-Perth city.

Care will be delivered using a person centred, holistic, collaborative and systematic approach. Nursing staff will co-ordinate the package of care developed for the individual using the Named Nurse concept. Patients will be encouraged to achieve and maintain their optimum level of independence within the community. Community staff will provide a teaching and learning environment for all grades of staff and students, using a research based approach as a basis of care delivery.

We value feed back from students so that we can continue to improve the learning environment. So we would ask students to complete the community evaluation on finishing their placement.

Perth city OPCMHT provides mental health support for people over 65 years old or under 65 years old if there is evidence of cognitive decline. We have an open referral system from GPs, allied health professional, other medical staff and referrals from patients and carers.

We work as multi-disciplinary team.

Patients are allocated to the appropriate team member for community assessment. Every week there is a multi-disciplinary team meeting and nurses will discuss patients as necessary.

We work Monday to Friday 8.30- 4.30pm. Every week day there is an allocated duty worker.

You can review the stagecoach bus timetable for buses to the hospital. If coming by car there is limited car parking availability.

You will find OPCMHT within the Hub Main Building of the hospital.

Dress code is non uniform.

Sickness/absence must be reported to the ward and university.

On your first day you will be introduced to your mentor and you will receive an information/orientation pack. Your mentor will be responsible for co-ordination of your learning, your personal assessment and provision of support.

Youcan bring your own meal or there is also a café in the main building which provides hot meals. Out with opening times there are vending machines.

Every morning at 8.30 am there is a safety briefing meeting to discuss case work and safety issues.

YOUR FIRST DAY ANDMENTORS CHECKLIST

Orientation Plan / Discussed / Date / Signature
Introduction to mentor
Welcome to OPCMHT and Discuss Philosophy of Care
Discuss Dress Code
Complete Personal detail sheet for lone worker policy.
Identify Procedures for reporting sickness/absence
Identify Practice Education Facilitator/Link Lecturer
Heather Robb – PEF
Email –
Paul Smith – Link Lecturer
Email –
Allocation of entry fob
Orientation to Placement Layout
Emergency Equipment
Emergency Telephone Procedures
Fire Procedures and situation of Break Glass Points/Fire Extinguishers
Placement Phone Number
Introduce Staff/Patients
Identify location of National & Local Policies/Procedures/Guidelines and NMC Documentation
Identify Procedures for reporting Accidents and Incidents
Discuss student evaluation form completion.
Date of Midway Assessment
Date of Final Assessment

Mentor Signature:

Student Signature

Orientation Completion date:

LEARNING CONTRACT

A learning contract will be developed between yourself and your mentor. This is an agreement which will help to identify your learning needs and how to get the most out of your placement. A learning contract is flexible, individualised and will be regularly evaluated. It will take into consideration variables including your experience and the length of your placement. A learning contract is printed in this information/orientation pack.

Think about what experience you have and what you can build on:

  • What have I done before?
  • What do I know now?
  • What do I want to learn?
  • How will I do this?
  • What help/resources do I need?
  • How do I assess my learning?

You and your mentor will identify objectives, plan how they are to be achieved, identify what resources can be utilised and how to show evidence of learning

Your evaluation forms are valued by the staff of OPCMHT & shall be used to continually improve the learning environment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The following are examples of learning objectives which can be worked towards within the community. You will have the opportunity to have time with your mentor to discuss what your learning objectives are and how you can meet them. Throughout your placement you can aim to become more independent in working towards meeting your objectives with continued support and appropriate supervision from your mentor and the nursing team.

  1. Contribute to the nursing assessment of patients and participate in their care management under supervision.
  2. Undertake supervised practice of relevant patient assessments.

3. Develop and increase knowledge of dementia and functional illness

in relation to community support

4 .Attend diagnostic clinics, review medication and observe post

diagnostic support for people with dementia.

5. Assessment and support of patients with functional illness within the community, including anxiety management, depot clinics, relaxation therapy

Community nursing staff work closely with other patient services including;

Social work departmentPsychiatrists

Occupational TherapistPhysiotherapists

Mental Health OfficersWard based staff

AdvocacyDietician

Pharmacists Dementia link worker

Medical Staff PRI liaison team

You will have the opportunity to meet with these teams to understand and appreciate the holistic approach to nursing care within the community. There will be opportunity to attend social day care, PRI liaison team, Dementia café, relaxation groups and anxiety management groups.

PHILOSOPHY/STATEMENT OF VALUES IN RELATION TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS

We encourage students to ask questions and will always try to answer them. However, we will expect the students to assist with their own learning by developing a questioning approach. We look forward to hearing their views and suggestions about how we can improve the learning experience for our students.

(Evidence of this could be using a student evaluation sheet)

We will:-

  • Treat students as individuals acknowledging their needs and encouraging their participation in formulating care management plans.
  • Encourage students to feel part of the care team by involving them in assisting and directing healthcare professionals in providing patient care.
  • Recognise and value the contribution of all students in the process of planning and carrying out patients care and assist them to achieve/maintain knowledge and skills in order to provide safe and effective care.
  • We will use student evaluations to improve the students experience.