Mercy Health and Aged Care s1

MERCY MENTAL HEALTH

POSITION DESCRIPTION

/
Position title: / Forensic Clinical Specialist
RPN 5, Senior Clinician SW, Senior Clinician OT, P3 / Employee name:
Entity/Group:
Business Unit/Department: / Mercy Mental Health / Date: / 17 February 2010
Position reports to: / Director of Clinical Services / Positions reporting to this one: / n/a
Position Purpose: / The role of the Forensic Clinical Specialist is to provide specialist advice and secondary consultation, to support the development/implementation of a robust risk framework, and to build capacity of the workforce across both clinical and PDRSS services for patients with a forensic history/risk of offending within their organization. It will be a key contact point for justice/forensic referrers, PDRSS and Mercy Mental Health to facilitate a collaborative approach to sharing and transfer of care for this client group.
Qualifications: / Mandatory:
1.  Approved degree in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychology or Nursing. For Nurses tertiary qualification which meets the registration requirements of the Nursing Board of Victoria in Division 3 or Division 1 nurses with endorsed postgraduate studies in mental health. For psychologists, Masters degree in clinical psychology from an APS accredited course or equivalent or membership of the APS college of clinical psychologists.
2.  Current registration with the relevant registration board.
3.  At least 5 years post graduate clinical experience in relevant community mental health settings.
4.  Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1986, Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried Act 1997, Sentencing Act 1991, and other relevant legislation.
5.  A thorough knowledge of current mental health approaches in working with mentally and or behaviourally disordered clients.
6.  Holds current working with children check and clear police check.
7.  Computer literacy.
8.  Holds a current Victorian Driver’s license.
Desirable:
1.  Advanced mental health experience with a post graduate level qualification.
2.  Knowledge of evidence-based risk assessment and management tools that utilise the structured professional judgment approach.
3.  Demonstrated experience with skill in working as a senior member of a multi-disciplinary team.
4.  A sound knowledge of the criminal justice system and other relevant community based services.
Personal Competencies required /

Job Competencies Required

¨  Demonstrated capacity to provide clinical leadership across the agency. / ¨  Commitment to working with and delivering quality outcomes for high risk clients and those with a history of offending.
¨  Excellent organisational & time management skills. / ¨  Demonstrated ability to operate as an independent practitioner and to work effectively across a range of mental health teams.
¨  Well developed and effective written and verbal communication skills including the ability to consult, liaise and negotiate with a range of stakeholders and service providers. / ¨  A Sound, current knowledge and understanding of public mental health service delivery, including government strategic directions and relevant legislation.
¨  Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy, mission and values of Mercy Health. / ¨  Demonstrated capacity to build strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders.
¨  Embraces change as an opportunity for renewal and improvement and encourages creativity and diversity. / ¨  Demonstrated ability to provide clinical supervision to a range of staff and demonstrated ability to support and develop staff.
¨  Ability to use word processing, database and spreadsheet applications. / ¨  Adhere to the philosophy, policies, procedures and protocols of Mercy Health and legislative requirements within mental health.
¨  Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development. / ·  Commitment to working with clients from various ethnic backgrounds.
Key Result Areas / Standard Measures / Key Activities /
Promote and uphold the Values and Mission of Mercy Health. / ·  The Values of Mercy Health are incorporated into daily work practices. / ·  Strives to be compassionate and provide support to others.
·  Consistently shows respect and values each person’s dignity.
·  Seeks opportunities to be innovative for improvement.
·  Is accountable for a high standard of care.
·  Communicates openly and honestly as an effective team member.
Provides specialist advice and consultation to Mercy Mental Health and Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Support Services on the management of high risk clients and clients with a forensic/offending history. / ·  Records and reports reflect:
o  that all consultations, advice and clinical work undertaken
o  a high professional standard
o  expert levels of assessment, treatment planning and consultation with family and relevant others
o  adherence to Legislation and policy.
·  Collaborative leadership with Director of Clinical Services and PDRSS Leadership in program delivery.
·  Referral process is accessible and responsive. / ·  Provide timely advice, specialist joint assessments, secondary consultation and on the job training to the specialist mental health workforce in relation to high risk clients.
·  Assist clinical (including triage clinicians) and PDRSS workers to:
o  Identify and assess consumers with high risk/challenging behaviours, including undertaking joint assessment of consumers with the most complex presentations
o  Assist in the development of comprehensive treatment and care plans
o  Assist in the development of comprehensive risk assessment and management plans
o  Participate in the review of treatment and care plans.
·  Actively provide expert advice and clinical support to clinical and PDRSS staff who are working with a client transitioning between the corrections system, courts, prison and Thomas Embling Hospital and their program.
·  Take a leadership role in Mercy Mental Health High Risk Panel.
·  In exceptional cases, participates in short-term shared case management of high risk clients.
·  Maintain and complete comprehensive documentation.
Liaison with key referral agencies. / ·  Reports demonstrate:
o  involvement in development of service delivery policy or other instruments
o  regular liaison to facilitate access between forensic/justice services and mental health/PDRS services. / ·  Actively engage with, and be the liaison contact for, key agencies, including police, community corrections, prisons, mental health services, the mental health court liaison service and the community integration program (Forensicare’s CIP) to facilitate the sharing or transfer of care for high risk clients and clients with a forensic/offending history.
·  Initiates and contributes to the development of relevant policies, protocols and procedures.
Organisational capacity building and quality improvement. / ·  Demonstrated involvement in education and training and in organizational committees to improve service capacity to manage high risk clients. / ·  Provide leadership within the agency in relation to working with high risk clients and clients with a forensic/offending history.
·  Provide education and training (formal and informal) in consultation with service education staff, to clinical and PDRSS staff on relevant topics, including structured risk assessment and management, legal issues associated with working with high risk clients, and complex care planning and review.
·  Initiates and contributes to the development of relevant policies, protocols and procedures.
·  Coordinate post-incident operational reviews in relation to clients with high risk clients and clients with a forensic/offending history.
Ensures all services and practices are delivered with a focus on collaboration and partnership with the consumer and their carers.
/ ·  Consumer complaints resolved in a timely manner. / ·  Act as a role model in the adoption of a consumer focused services.
·  Demonstrated initiatives utilizing consumer involvement and feedback.
·  Addresses consumer complaints promptly.
·  Ensures the provision of appropriate information to clients & carers.
·  Involves consumer and carers in the plan and implementation of treatment plan.
Research and Evaluation. / ·  Adheres to EQuIP accreditation standards and National Mental Health Standards.
·  Existence of well documented quality improvement and evaluation processes. / ·  Collect and analyze program-related data and prepares reports to line management and DOH, as required.
·  Lead evaluation and research-orientated activities relating to the forensic clinical specialist program, including leading the agency’s participation in any Department of Health-initiated evaluation.
Ensure effective lines of communication are maintained. / ·  Effective and appropriate patterns of communication are maintained.
·  Confidentiality of both written and electronic patient information is maintained. / ·  Ensures all clinical documentation provides an accurate and objective account of the client’s episode of care.
·  Facilitates appropriate networking with other mental health providers.
·  Maintains confidentiality and utilizes appropriate channels of communication when dealing with client issues.
Manage a safe working environment. / ·  Maintains practice within framework established by policies, procedures and protocols of Mercy Health, including OH&S and Infection Control guidelines.
·  Utilizes a risk management approach to minimize and prevent adverse outcomes from known or anticipated risks. / ·  Anticipates and instigates changes required to ensure safe practices are maintained
·  Continually updates and maintains knowledge of all emergency procedures and participates in disaster planning exercises as required.
·  Thorough and accurate recording of incidents and actions taken to prevent likelihood of future occurrence.
Supervision and Professional Development. / ·  Reflects on self and practice to identify areas for personal and professional growth.
·  Undertakes and provides regular supervision as per service policy
·  Attends managerial supervision as per protocol.
·  Participate in annual staff performance reviews. / ·  Actively engages in regular direct clinical supervision and peer support and networking activities related to the initiative.
·  Provides support and supervision to junior staff and students.
·  Attends managerial supervision and works on professional goals with line manager.
·  Participate in a mandatory, comprehensive orientation package provided by Forensicare.
·  Successfully complete two units of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science Course coordinated through Forensicare.
·  Participate in the regular on-going specialist training to further develop forensic mental health skills (The ongoing training coordinated by Forensicare is mandatory).
Employee’s Signature: / Date:
Print Name:
Line Manager Signature: / Date:
Print Name:

Forensic Clinical Specialist 0210 17.doc 12 February 2010