Clinical Nurse Practitioner - Thabazimbi at Anova Health Institute

Key duties and responsibilities:

 Provide Technical Support to Primary Healthcare Clinics for Integration of Mental Health Services                      

• Train and mentor facility nurses to conduct integrated chronic, mental health care visits and manage common mental illnesses with the support of a psychiatrist.
• Coordinate the multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive support to clients with mental health issues.
• Disseminate, develop algorithms, guidelines and job aids to support mental health as and when required.
• Support counsellors in conduct mental health screening and support provision, including training and mentoring of DoH counsellors.
• Support supply chain of mental health care medications to ensure constant availability at PHCs.
• Conduct facility file audits to identify clients with unmet mental health needs and to ensure quality care has been provided.

Provide Quality Mental Health Care

• Diagnose and manage common mental health disorders.
• Create mental health management plans for clients including clinical care, psychosocial support and referral into hospital and/or community support organisations.
• Liaise with the psychiatrist and psychologist to schedule facility visits and provide clinical advice to project and the DoH staff.
• Administer and dispense medication accordingly, including continuation of mental health medications available to the PHC.
• Monitor medication or therapy effectiveness and propose regimen/dosage change to psychiatrist should it be required.
• Partner with patient family members to help integrate the mental rehabilitation process.
• Ensure that client information is kept confidential and the POPI act is adhered to all times.

 Project Coordination and Team Management        

• Coordinate mental health activities to ensure objectives of the project are met.
• Liaise with other stakeholders & keep up to date with relevant trends to ensure that best practices that align with statutory requirements are always applied.
• Coordinate with DoH and other stakeholders to improve and track referral and linkage to care of clients.
• Daily supervision, mentorship and support of project social auxiliary workers and counsellors.
• Identify training needs and opportunities for programme staff development, facilitate and arrange required development interventions.

Project Administration and Support

• Ensure that all staff are complying to the relevant SOP’s and relevant statutory requirements.
• Complete, compile, and submit the relevant technical assistance tool/reports to line manager and submit as and when required.
• Ensure compliance to ethical conduct of the principles of medical ethics when dealing with patients and patients records.
• Prepare and participate in audit processes.
• Support Anova and its stakeholders, attend relevant meetings to facilitate the implementation of the mental health project, particularly within the district, local municipality and supported facilities.
• Ensure reports are submitted to the facility and project manager - regarding project activities.
• Conduct quality reviews and improvement processes to ensure best practices are rendered to our clients.
• Attend and participate in both internal and external trainings for continuous professional development.
• Communicate efficiently and professionally with all relevant stakeholders.

Data Management

• Ensure all patient records and registers are completed accurately.
• Store and maintain all relevant records.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of medical supplies, equipment and drugs in own area of operation.
• Ensure 100% compliance to data management SOP, internal quality control guidelines and other quality assurance SOP.

Minimum qualifications, experience and skills required:

• Degree/Diploma in Nursing with Psychiatric or any other relevant qualification.
• Registered with SANC (South African Nursing Council).
• Certificate in PC 101/Adult Primary Care
• Dispensing license.
• Post-graduate degree in psychiatric or mental health qualification would be added advantage.
• 2 years’ experience in mental health programme.
• Familiar with various mental therapeutic methods.
• Knowledge of mental health and community health issues.
• Must be patient and resilient.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required.
• Ability to speak regional targeted communities’ languages.
• Valid driver’s license and willing to travel as and when required.
• Innovative, organized, analytical and excellent interpretation data skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and has attention to details.
• Previous experience in supervising and coordinating projects.
• Facilitation and presentation skills.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Computer Literate – MS Office Packages (MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel & PowerPoint).
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Fully vaccinated for Covid 19