Clinical Nurse Specialist C.A.M.H.S

Job/Role Summary

Participate in the thorough assessment and treatment of children aged 4-16 years who, have been identified as experiencing mental health difficulties. Act as a member of a Multidisciplinary team, whose focus is to meet government requirements of service, allied with this the Mental Health needs of young persons. Play a significant role in the shaping of the service to ensure that service delivery is of a satisfactory level. Provide support and training for junior staff.

Specific qualifications and experience required

• RMN Part 1 of NMC Register Must have or be willing to under take the Specialist Practice course
• Child and Adolescent Desirable to have experience in working with children with Mental health difficulties

Career Milestones

Pathway began with Mental Health training at Diploma Level. Following the completion of this under took the Degree BSc in Nursing. Worked in the elderly acute psychiatric setting but requested to move to Child and Adolesent service. While in the position I was supported to complete the Specialist Practice post graduate course in C&A and following this was able to take on the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist. Currently to develop myself and the service further I am undertaking the Intensive Care Management course.

What attracted you to this job?

Wanted to work with Children and Adolescents Identified as an area of Developing need and wanted to be involved in developing the service Flexible Career Opportunity

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

Job satisfaction from seeing positive outcomes for families Working as part of a MDT Service Development and being part of an expanding service

Important success factors

Individual and group support Personal and Professional Development supported via supervision and manager Recognition of Children and that our impact has had greater significance

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

It is the most rewarding job within Mental Health Nursing, it requires an immense amount of commitment. But with good support and supervision and an awareness that parents and adolescences can be manipulative at times Need to be careful to balance work and home life, appointments can sometimes be after hours.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

Communication Skills are top priority Developing a Therapeutic Rapport to be able to engage service users. Assessment Skills- the need to carry out a total family assessment Confidence Analysing skills Time Management skills to cope with case load.

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