Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran is one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home ()

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist within our Neuro-CAMHS team based at West Road Centre, Irvine.

You will be working alongside our multi-disciplinary team to provide clinical support, assessment and diagnosis for children/young people experiencing serious mental health problems such as low mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, who may also have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition.

You are required to be professionally registered, to have a good working knowledge of current national policy. You should have experience of working with children and young people with emotional, behavioural, social and mental health difficulties and knowledge of neurodevelopmental assessment and diagnostic processes.

You will have access to mentoring, high quality professional supervision and scope to participate in a wide variety of professional development opportunities. You will be fully supported to test out new ideas and innovations in collaboration with our Quality Improvement, Data and Engagement Team as we continue to develop our services.

• As part of a multi-disciplinary team the Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) will provide highly specialised assessments, diagnosis and deliver evidenced treatment.
• The post holder will apply high level critical thinking, decision making and diagnostic reasoning skills to formulate differential diagnosis, where appropriate.
• The post holder will carry out physical assessment, diagnosis of conditions, nurse independent prescribing and planning of care or onward referral to other members of the multi-professional team as appropriate, during normal and out of hours working.
• The post holder will exercise a high degree of professional autonomy whilst working closely as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• The post holder will function as an independent practitioner by virtue of in-depth knowledge, expertise, proficiency and experience. The post holder will work autonomously in accordance with agreed protocols and with partnership with other professionals.
• As a senior member of the nursing team the post holder will contribute to the strategic development and operational delivery of the neuro developmental service within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
• The post holder will facilitate, participate in audit and quality assurance programmes promoting evidence based practice.
• To provide specialist consultation, training and support to other professionals including the wider CAMHS staff team, other mental health services and partner agencies including Social Work and education and the voluntary sectors.
• Facilitate, support and where required co-ordinate discharge of children and young people from in-patient NHS resources
• Manage a small budget in relation to prescribing.
• Appreciate the need for integration and collaboration within a multiagency arena building a strong interface with CAMHS, families and partner agencies.
• Work with specialist services to appreciate, describe and communicate needs of young people making recommendations as required around presentation.
• Build on the opportunity to inform future service need as part of a health and social care partnership making recommendations in relation to post development.
• Describe future learning needs to inform post development and workforce requirements.

For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description

• First level Registered Nurse.
• Educated to Post Graduate Diploma level in Mental Health/Learning Disability/Children’s nursing with additional specialist knowledge in an advanced clinical practice discipline to Masters equivalent level.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with a neurodevelopmental presentations.
• To have qualifications and experience in non-medical prescribing at masters level.
• To have qualifications and experience in physical health examination at masters level.
• Evidence of post registration education and relevant Continuing Professional Development within the past three years.
• Independent prescriber.
• Advanced clinical assessment…