AR-188 Registered Mental Health Professional – Inpatient or Community Based Mental Health Services – New Zealand

Primary Purpose
The Registered Health Professional/Case Manager is employed to provide safe, effective client centered intervention using professional knowledge and skills in accordance Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty policies and protocols.

Case Workers practice in adult community mental health will integrate timely assessment and management of new referrals into the sector and new referrals and time limited
therapeutic interventions with a recovery focus.

The case management role includes but is not limited to:
• Clinical responsibility for a designated caseload
• Comprehensive assessment and risk assessment
• Collaborative treatment planning and management of risk
• Response to crisis needs of case managed clients
• The provision of therapeutic interventions with a focus on recovery
• Facilitation of transfer of care to the primary sector when treatment goals are met.

Key Responsibilities
Outcomes
1. Cultural Safety
• Care is individually focused and planned in regard to ethnic, cultural, religious and other needs
• Demonstrates a commitment to and active understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its application within Mental Health to improve Maori health status
• Demonstrates awareness of the impact of own cultural background, attitudes and values
• Demonstrates awareness of the impact of own cultural background, attitudes and values
• Demonstrates the cultural and spiritual needs of service users are met with sensitivity including those of family/whanau and significant others.
• Demonstrates that consultation occurs with Maori Service providers in relation to care for service users as appropriate
• Attends relevant Treaty of Waitangi/Bicultural training as arranged via the employer.

2. Professional Responsibility
• Adheres to professional standards of practice and acknowledges that competent practice is influenced and reinforced through membership of appropriate professional bodies
• Is aware of legislation that impacts on mental health care delivery and service user rights and practices within legal boundaries.
• Considers ethical issues in treatment planning and contributes an ethical perspective to decision-making
• Demonstrates knowledge of, and accesses policies and procedural guidelines that have implications for clinical care
• Has a clear understanding of the principles of delegation and accountability and seeks advice and support appropriately.
• Demonstrates accountability for directing, monitoring and evaluating service that is provided by social work students and others
• Actively engages in and effectively utilises clinical supervision and offers/provides this to clinical staff within the Mental Health Service as appropriate and as per the Mental Health Service Clinical Supervision Policy.
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of care/treatment/research in the area of mental health and occupational therapy and ensures that practice is evidence- based
• Completes and maintains MH&AS Core competencies via the in-service programme.
• Maintains Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty and Mental Health Service mandatory certifications and additional clinical skills relevant to area

3. Clinical Practice
• Utilises the clinical process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care and maintains professional practice standards in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating ongoing care for all service- users, actively engaging with and providing support, education and assistance to families/whanau and care- givers.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage the environment by assessing risk factors, identifying and implementing strategies to maintain own safety and the safety of service-users and others
• Demonstrates a flexible approach and ability to cope with changing situations.
• Undertakes a timely comprehensive and accurate occupational therapy assessment using suitable assessment tools to inform goals for intervention and or provisional diagnostic formulation
• Engages in robust ongoing assessment and management of risk
• Develops individual treatment plans in collaboration with service-users and their families/whanau that reflects the issues identified at assessment
• Incorporates discharge planning as part of the overall care strategy, including relapse planning and/or advance directives, and/or appropriate referrals to internal/external agencies
• Makes clinical judgements based on current evidence-based knowledge, research and reflective practice.
• Demonstrates competence in implementing therapeutic strategies eg. cognitive therapy and social work models of practice
• Plans and prioritises workload.
• Presents health information and education to service-users and families/whanau in a sensitive manner that is readily understood

4. Interpersonal Relationships
• The principles and practice of partnership are incorporated in all facets of assessment, intervention, treatment and care. Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic interpersonal relationships with service-users and their families, and demonstrates effective communication with colleagues.
• Incorporates authentic therapeutic use of self and interpersonal and micro- counselling skills
• Supports the personal autonomy and resourcefulness of service-users and their families and encourages their participation as partners in care
• Works and communicates effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating individual responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrates an ability to manage conflict constructively

5. Inter-professional Health Care and Quality Improvement
• Collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team, and the wider community, to facilitate care delivery and demonstrates a commitment to the principle of continuous improvement at a service and personal level.
• Demonstrates ability to present referrals and crisis/acute cases for discussion at the daily MDT meeting concisely, with attention to all relevant information, and participates in decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains networking relationships with GPs, relevant government and community agencies, and provides consultation as necessary
• Contributes to service development and involves target group[s] in the planning, provision and monitoring of services
• Demonstrates continuous commitment to quality improvement initiatives
• Provides guidance and support to students, new graduates and Allied Health Practitioners new to the clinical area

Key Relationships
• Clinical Director/DAMHS
• Business Leader MH&AS
• Nurse Leader and Allied Health Leader, MH&AS
• Regional Maori Services
• Consumer Advisor and Family/Whanau Advisor
• Mental Health & Addiction Services staff
• NGO’s and other agencies
• GP’s and Primary Health Organisations
• Service Users and their families/carers

Person Specification
• A current practicing certificate
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Post graduate qualification with a mental health focus
• Affiliation to an appropriate professional organisation
Experience
• A minimum of 3 years clinical experience in a mental health inpatient or community setting
• A current clean motor vehicle driver’s license
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of mental illness and risk assessment in relation to community mental health care
• Competence in comprehensive assessment, risk assessment the use of the mental status examination and problem formulation
• Clinical skills in engagement, de- escalation, conflict resolution and problem solving
• Ability to discuss and negotiate management plans with clinicians
• Demonstrates a commitment to quality
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate
• Able to develop role in response to client needs
• Experience of working within teams
• Demonstrates a commitment to post-registration study and professional development
• Experience of working with clients with dual intellectual disability and mental health issues.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability
• Able to prioritise work requirements
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act, 1992, Privacy Act 1993, Health & Disability Act, Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act and the NZ Health Strategy (Te Tahahu; Te Kokiri). Values
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with the Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty values.

Note: Photo is of Tauranga, a larger city than Whakatane, but all are part of the scenic Bay of Plenty