South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA)
San Fernando
Job Description
The Mental Health Officer I is required to work at any Health Facility and/or Community with the South-West Regional. He or she ensures the safety and welfare of persons who are diagnosed with a mental illness or are suspected of being mentally ill. Work involves management/attendance at out-patient psychiatric clinics. It also involves making home visits as a follow-up to clinic, checking defaulters and monitoring the mental health of patients in the community. <div> </div><div>The Authority reserves the right to assign the officer to any Facility under its management.</div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<ul><li>Uses the Standard Operating Procedures of the Department to guide their practice. </li><li>Manages the operation of psychiatric/mental health clinics. </li><li>Visits out-patient, discharge patients and patients on home leave, and reports to supervisor and relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team with regards to patients adjustment/re-adjustment and progress. </li><li>Assists in preparing home or work environment for the re-adjustment of discharged patients or those on home leave. </li><li>Assists in maintaining liaison between in-patients and their homes and work places. </li><li>Advises patients and relatives on medication and after-care treatment. </li><li>Arrange and executes difficult admissions and re-admissions to Hospital or Psychiatric Unit in accordance with the Mental Health Act of Trinidad and Tobago. </li><li>Educates relatives of discharged patients or out-patients to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness and encourages them to report regressions promptly. </li><li>Discusses the care and treatment of patients with other members of the multi-disciplinary Team. </li><li>Follow-up of patients at St. Ann`s Hospital who are from the South-West Region. </li><li>Accompany patients from ward to home on discharge, if required. </li><li>Plans and executes Mental Health Promotions Activities with other members of the Multi-disciplinary Team. </li><li>Encourages and stimulate local community groups to participate in community Mental. </li><li>Health programmes at both preventative and therapeutic level as well as engages in developmental initiatives including basic research. </li><li>Attends ward conferences and monthly or regular staff meetings to review work done and plan for the future.</li><li>Conveys to hospital or Psychiatric Unit persons found wandering at large and in need of treatment.</li><li>Submits monthly statistics on clinic attendance and home visits or other statistics as required.</li><li>Uses computer software to input data or assessment of patients.</li><li>Engages in development initiatives including basic research.</li><li>Performs related work as may be required.</li><li>Supervises and trains Nursing students and others as related.</li><li>Attends and participates in Ward Round/Case Conferences.</li><li>Administering of parenteral psychiatric medications to patients in the community.</li><li>Maintains records of Depot/injections administered both in the community and the psychiatric/mental health clinic.</li><li>Ability to perform duties according to assigned roasters or plans that can be formulated in times of authorized services exigencies.</li><li>Ability to use relevant computer applications related to job functions.</li><li>Performs related duties as assigned.&nbsp;</li></ul>
Key Competencies
<ul><li>Registration by the Nursing Council of Trinidad and Tobago in Mental health Nursing.</li><li>Certificate in Social Work or certificate in Community Mental Health Nursing or Qualification as a District Health Visitor.</li><li>A minimum of 7 years experience in Mental Health Nursing.</li><li>Experience in Community Mental Health Nursing would be an asset.</li><li>Tertiary level education in Nursing/Mental Health Nursing will also be an asset.</li></ul>