Clinical Lead, Ben Ottiwel
Full name: Ben Ottiwell
Place of work: Bolton
Job title: Clinical Lead for Complex Emotional and Relational Needs
Provide an outline of your career Journey to date:
I began my career as a nursing assistant at my local mental health hospital, gaining experience on an acute admissions ward before completing my nurse training and working as a staff nurse for two years.
I left the hospital to work as a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) in an inner city Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) where I worked for 9 years. I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team providing mental health care and treatment to people with psychosis, mood disorders and Personality Disorders.
I was successful in obtaining the post of Senior Practitioner for Personality Disorder in the team where I worked and went on to implement and develop a clinical pathway for people with Personality Disorder, using Structured Clinical Management (SCM).
I have been in my current post of Clinical Lead for Complex Emotional and Relational Needs for 4 years. I have worked for the same trust for the whole of my career.
What inspired you to become a mental health nurse?
After my work as a nursing assistant, I became interested in a career as a mental health nurse. People with mental health problems interested me and I felt that I had an affinity to the work. I also worked with some very caring and dedicated mental health nurses who were positive role models for me.
What are you most passionate about in mental health nursing?
I am passionate about helping people who have historically been stigmatised and marginalised in society and in the mental health system, people who without the effective advocacy that a mental health nurse can offer, would not have a voice.
I am passionate about helping people who have experienced trauma in their lives. I feel that we have an opportunity to improve people’s lives and help them to experience positive and safe relationships.
As a mental health nurse, I feel that we can use our skills and training in conjunction with a safe and secure therapeutic relationship to support people to develop the skills and relationships needed to reach a quality of life that is right for them.
About your role
My current role is that of Clinical Lead for Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN). I am responsible for the development of therapeutic pathways and interventions for people with CERN and who may have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder. I am a senior clinician, working in a Senior Leadership Team. I work with people with the most complex mental health issues and also provide clinical leadership, supervision and training to colleagues in the directorate.
My role is not nurse specific though lends itself well to nursing and has had a positive influence on nursing colleagues in a variety of settings, including inpatients, home based treatment and community settings. This has been through clinical supervision and training, predominantly.
What are the key priorities for your role?
To improve services and therapeutic options for people with CERN and Personality Disorder.
To provide clinical supervision, clinical leadership and training to colleagues.
To reduce stigma and barriers to care for people.
What do you like most about your role?
The clinical work and therapeutic interventions I deliver to patients.
Staff training and clinical supervision.
What have you achieved in your current role?
I have supported people with complex trauma and relational difficulties reach a point where they can have a good quality of life and secure, stable relationships.
I have implemented a Structured Clinical Management (SCM) pathway and maintained and improved this.
I have implemented a Managing Distress Pathway in Home Based Treatment with colleagues and had the evaluation of this published.
I have trained over 150 staff in how to support people with CERN.
What do you hope to achieve in your current role?
I hope to continue to develop services and improve patient experience.
I hope to reduce stigma, support colleagues and reduce barriers to care for people with CERN.
Inspiring others
Why should mental health nursing be considered as a career option?
Because it offers a varied and diverse range of settings and people to work with. I genuinely feel that we support the most marginalised and excluded in society.
What advice would you offer mental health nurses at the start of their career?
Arrange regular clinical supervision with someone of your choosing, who you trust and make sure you value and prioritise this.
How do you maintain your health and wellbeing, achieve a good work life balance, and develop resilience?
I read, write, try to maintain a good work/life balance. I cook and try to eat well. I see family and friends. I try to pay attention to my own needs.
What advice you would give to someone thinking of taking a similar career path as you?
Try to stay hopeful and positive. Avoid being passive aggressive with others. Make sure you learn about validation and don’t forget to validate yourself.
Are there any useful websites/books/podcasts/videos that you would advise mental health nurses to refer to?
Borderline Personality Disorder: an evidence-based guide for generalist mental health professionals. Batemand and Krawitz
Anything by Brene Brown.
BPD world by Rosie Cappuccino.
What is your favourite quote and how does this relate to you as a mental health nurse?
There are too many containing profanities. My patients relate to me saying “We should try and do the right thing, not the easy thing”. Keep going is something I relate to.