Mental Health Nurse B6 interview help for Early Intervention Service

[RheanaT]

Hi, just looking to be prepared for my interview Monday . Any help would be greatly received. Early Intervention Service Band 6 community. I'm a B5 with ward inpatient experience only

Hi I think you would need to mention:

1. that most but not all of your patients will be 18-25 (a usual inclusion criterion for early intervention teams is that it is the person's first episode of psychosis)
2. that you are interested in 'at risk' mental states, ie people who are having unusual experiences or thoughts but who are not psychotic
3. Maybe that you are interested in the role of cannabis in psychosis
4. That you are aware of a link between trauma and psychosis

Then the other usual things about multi-disciplinary working, that most EITs have an assertive outreach component, the need for family work, the other things that are relevant for that age group eg leaving home, becoming independent, romantic relationships, etc

@Folicky thank you very much. I'm nervous because I don't have any community experience, but will be glad for the interview experience I guess.
Thanks again

I think your inpatient experience will stand you in good stead. Because people who are having their first episode of psychosis will not be connected in with a community team yet, their first contact with mental health services will be as an inpatient. So you will know about how frightening it is for the person when this is their first psychotic break and then the possible trauma of being sectioned, etc, plus the impact on the family. In inpatients you have sometimes daily contact with the family. You'll know from your inpatient work how to contain and stabilise people in acute distress and engage people who may be worried or suspicious about others and even staff. You're right the interview experience will be useful but if you can convey that you care about people and want to help them in the next stage of their journey (the post acute phase) you'll also make contact with the interview panel and you'll do great