An introduction to the role of integrated practitioner

An introduction to the role of integrated practitioner.

[Audio] Edge Hill University is currently the only University to run this course as a Masters and to include all fields of nursing. All nursing fields trained together which enhanced each others learning in different fields. The focus of this presentation will be from a mental health nurse perspective. For the first three years of the programme we were required to attend lectures for both social work studies, nursing studies and clinical skills. We completed exams and assignments in both subjects as required by the NMC and Social work England in order to register. We were also required to complete 2300 nursing placement hours and 200 days of social work practice. The final placement in year four was a six month integrated placement which counted towards both social work days and nursing hours. We have two governing bodies to register with, which means we complete two portfolios, two revalidations and we pay two lots of fees..

[Audio] Apart from the huge academic workload that we faced, we also came across some very challenging times. The 2017 cohort were the first to complete the Dual Masters in Nursing and social work. We encountered many teething problems along the way and had to be resilient to these. Edge hill did there best but they were learning too. As we completed our placements we were very active in promoting this new role. However we found along the way that it was a discussion that was not welcome. We met resistance from both nurses and social workers who would not take the time to educate themselves on this new role with many commenting that it would not work. A common question we are always asked is which will you choose. It is true that we can chose either nursing or social work as a career. However after completing four years training it would seem a waste not to use both skills. We are trained to look at each situation from a social and health point of view to apply a more holistic approach to the patients. Another question we face is what are you today? Are you nursing or social working. We do have some protected time to complete social work duties such as application forms, however we are always an integrated practitioner. We do not switch from being a social worker one hour and a nurse the next. As a brand new course and with the resistance to change we found that the workforces were not ready to accept us. They could not understand where we would fit in or how to deal with us. Issues such as preceptorship and AYSE were complicated. However it was clear to us how we could help to improve the services we were approaching and working in. To give a idea of how challenging the course was, we began with 21 students and only 5 of us graduated. We also continued to work and study through the pandemic. Integrated practitioners have built up some amazing resilience..

[Audio] Since the first cohort graduated in 2021 we have seen the intake of students rising. We now have had 3 cohorts that have graduated. Some of the graduates have gone on to chose either nursing or social work as a career but are still using both skills. The main cause of this is the readiness of the work force. Interestingly there is 1 student from each cohort employed as integrated practitioner. Non of these are within the NHS. Great results are being achieved by the current integrated practitioners. We are seeing improved outcomes for our patients and are finding that the route to discharge is becoming a shorter process. Additionally for those services that are not assigned a social worker, an integrated practitioner offers this vital support that can be included in the nursing budgets. We are also finding that due to the experience of completing four years of study and lots of placement experience, Integrated practitioners come with enhanced organisational skills, resilience and practice experience. This has allowed for a speedier progression through the roles. Integrated practitioners can progress through any role and still be able to apply nursing and social work skills. Employing a integrated practitioner can also cut costs as you are essentially getting 2 sets of skills in one person..

[Audio] In conclusion we can highlight lots of benefits to employing a integrated practitioner and not so many disadvantages. We still have some work left to do. We are all passionate about promoting this role and to do this we speak to as many hospital and community teams as we can. The integrated practitioner role is not developed to reduce staff or to replace anyone's job role, but we can enhance a team and contribute to the outcome that we all strive for, improving patient outcomes and providing the best care we can..

[Audio] From University I was employed as a Care Coordinator. Fortunately, this enabled me to keep both registrations, however the role itself was not integrated. Despite utilising both sets of skills, I could only be employed as a nurse by the NHS trust. One of my previous placement providers who happened to be a private healthcare facility recalled my area of study and saw a gap in their service that I could help to fill. As a new role, and possibly the first of its kind, I was involved in writing the job description and developing the integrated practitioner job role. Within the first few months of my role I was able to achieve huge success in improving patient outcomes, and was responsible for the safe discharge of several patients who had been unable to move forward. My employers deemed the role a success and enlisted my help in recruiting a second integrated practitioner. I have shared my experiences with other students and provided details of my job role which has allowed them to successfully gain an integrated post. Interestingly, these are all with private healthcare providers and not within the NHS. I have progressed from senior nurse to deputy ward manager/ charge nurse and have recently been successful in securing a ward managers post. I have continued to work as a integrated practitioner through all these posts..