SLMH Early Intervention In Psychosis Key Worker For Demonstration Sites

To apply, please complete the SLMH2530 application form attached below and upload by clicking "Apply Now" below.

Organisational Area

Community Healthcare Organisation 1 – Sligo /Leitrim /Donegal and West Cavan

Location of Post

The designated base will be in Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service, as part of EIP demonstration site.

A panel may be created for Early Intervention in Psychosis Key Worker from which future vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled.

Details of Service

The National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) established by the HSE and working in partnership with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is developing a Model of Care. It incorporates early detection, specialist assessment of individuals with their first episode of psychosis (FEP) or an at risk mental state (ARMS) followed by engagement with the provision of multidisciplinary evidence based interventions to ensure that people who develop psychosis for the first time are engaged and receive standardised effective treatment in a timely manner. In 2018 the HSE has funded three EIP demonstration sites to deliver services for service users with first episode psychosis (FEP)

The HSE Model of Care incorporates evidence from national and international studies over the last twenty years where EIP services have been developed. The MOC applies to everyone from 14 to 65 years of age.

It is estimated that 1700 people develop psychosis annually in Ireland although there is limited Irish data available to support this currently. The overall expected incidence is 32 cases per 100,000 population although this can vary considerably depending on demographics, population density, socio-economic factors etc.

For individuals referred with a first episode of psychosis it gives clear recommendations for engagement with an EIP key worker, a comprehensive assessment which is led out by the EIP key worker and the Consultant Psychiatrist and the provision of core evidence based interventions to service users and their families/carers for up to three years.

The core interventions comprise medication management, CBTp, service user and family psychoeducation, support and interventions, supported employment and physical health and lifestyle interventions

The HSE Model of Care is recommending a staged implementation process for this clinical programme commencing with FEP service provision.

As part of the National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis the clinical programme established three EIP demonstration sites for the Hub and Spoke model of EIP service provision. The demonstration sites delivered the components of the National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis to all service users with a first episode of psychosis aged (14 -64 years)attending AMHS and CAMHS in the area served by the ‘hub and spoke’ team. The demonstration sites were subject to external evaluation.

Reporting Relationship

The EIP Key worker post holder is

· professionally and operationally accountable to their professional line manager

· clinically accountable to the named consultant psychiatrist for named community mental health team

· works with the EIP hub team and named consultant clinical leads for the EIP Demonstration site.

Purpose of the Post

This post of an EIP key worker is critical to the successful roll out of Early Intervention in Psychosis services. Within the National EIP sites the EIP key worker role will focus on First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) service provision. The person will champion and lead on FEP service delivery within their community mental health team based on EIP principles.

Key to this role is assertive engagement with service users presenting with a first episode of psychosis, detailed specialist clinical assessment including risk assessment, provision of psychosocial interventions for the service user and their family/carers with follow up for up to three years. Within the MDT led by the Consultant Psychiatrist the EIP key worker will coordinate each service user’s individual care plan and the provision of evidence based interventions by multidisciplinary team members throughout their three year engagement with the clinical programme. A holistic, collaborative, optimistic and recovery approach will underline all of their work with the service user and their family/carers. They will also contribute to the evaluation of the EIP demonstration sites.

The key worker will be a member of the EIP hub team and will work to deliver the clinical programme as described for EIP demonstration team.