Mental Health Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of a Mental Health Practitioner in delivering health services, noting that there will be additional roles and expectations dependent on the qualifications and experiences.

a. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)

b. Provide mental health advice, support, consultation, including acting as a first point of contact in primary care for patients whose care needs are not suitable for Talking Therapies services

c. Work with patients to:

Support shared decision-making about self-management

Facilitate onward access to treatment services

d. Complete comprehensive risk assessments informing outcomes and positively managing risk indicators and to demonstrate risk assessment and management skills, practicing safely and according to individual patients needs

e. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

f. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

g. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

h. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

i. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

j. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

k. Working closely with Social Prescribing Link Workers to address patients housing, financial, vocational and other practical needs.

l. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)

m. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)

n. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

o. To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

p. Provide a range of therapeutic interventions for people experiencing acute mental health problems

q. Communicate proactively and effectively with all colleagues across the MDT, attending and contributing to meetings as required

r. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous health records appropriate to the consultation, ensuring accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient healthcare and registration with the organization

s. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

t. Communicate effectively with patients and, where appropriate, family members and their carers and, within the constraints of patient confidentiality, share complex and sensitive information regarding their physical health needs, results, findings and treatment choices

u. When necessary, provide support, information and training to family members, carers and other professionals within the constraints of patient confidentiality, and work with the patients system which may itself be in crisis

v. Take the lead role in undertaking comprehensive culturally appropriate, evidence-based initial health and social needs assessments, determining the specific care needs of the individual and in the formulation, development, implementation and evaluation of individual and management treatment plans

w. Operate without the need for a formal referral from GPs, including accepting some direct bookings where appropriate

x. Work within national and local protocols

y. Participate in formal training events promoting best practice in area of expertise

z. Contribute to the delivery of local policy, procedures and protocols to improve identification, assessment, ongoing support for patients and their family carers

aa. Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives enhancing service delivery and patient care

bb. Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred

cc. Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on safeguarding adults and safeguarding children

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Holds a professional qualification at diploma or degree level in mental health nursing or equivalent occupational therapist qualification and has a valid registration with the governing body.
• Independent Non-Medical Prescribing qualification

Desirable

• For an Advanced Practitioner, be educated to Masters degree level in the relevant area of expertise and has the capabilities of advanced clinical practice

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice
• Ability to promote best practice regarding mental health matters
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face

Desirable

• Good clinical system IT knowledge
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

Experience

Essential

• Two years experience of post graduate work in a core profession following qualification
• Experience of working autonomously
• A clear understanding of child protection policy and procedures and a commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Maryport Health Services

Address

Alneburgh House

Ewanrigg Rd

Maryport

Cumbria

CA15 8EL

Employer's website

https://www.maryporthealthservices.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)