Clinical Nurse Specialist; ADHD

The post sits within the South West Herts Enhanced Primary Care Monitoring service run by Herts One, a GP federation, as a 12-month fixed-term role. The nurse carries out medication reviews and holistic assessments for children and young people aged 6 to 18 with ADHD and co-occurring conditions, on referral from the local CYPMHS service. The work is clinic-based across two or three sites, with weekly multidisciplinary meetings and autonomous medication adjustments within agreed protocols under GP supervision.

Mental health nursing registration is needed, and an independent prescribing qualification is desirable.

• Carry out nurse-led ADHD medication reviews in clinic, adjusting treatment within agreed protocols and NICE guidance
• Carry out holistic assessments of children and young people referred by the HPFT CYPMHS service
• Titrate ADHD medication, monitor response and side effects, and share continued prescribing with the child's GP
• Identify co-morbidities such as ASD, mental health or physical health needs, and make onward referrals, raising complex cases with the supervising GP
• Apply behavioural management strategies and evaluate their effect alongside medication
• Attend multi-agency and weekly MDT meetings, and liaise with GPs, families, children's services and voluntary and statutory services
• Write reports, plan care, act as patient advocate, hear the child's voice and work to safeguarding children's policies
• Keep accurate clinical records, and collect, evaluate and report data for audit and statistics
• Monitor the service on a regular basis and provide data to clinical leads and relevant local and national bodies
• Contribute to leaflets and information on medication and ADHD for children, families and professionals
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources

• Evidence of CPD
• Safeguarding training to Level 3

• NMC registration as a mental health nurse

• Working effectively with children and young people
• Working with people with mental health difficulties
• Assessing and managing children with ADHD, including titrating medication
• Managing ADHD co-morbidities and giving behavioural advice
• Mentoring and supervision

• Knowledge of CYP and mental health legislation
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and how it shapes clinical practice
• Assessing, formulating and managing care, with timely discharge
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and liaising with agencies such as education and GPs
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Maintaining effective written and electronic clinical records

• Car owner and driver

• Ability to be flexible

• Nurse Independent Prescriber
• Awareness of alternative and augmentative communication systems
• Understanding of theoretical frameworks that underpin behaviour
• Knowledge of children's mental health and child development

• Fringe payment included in pay