Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Clinical Governance

The Band 5 Post Holder will be able to evaluate and review research and other relevant literature and be aware of the implications of the social and local policies, procedures and information packages related to service delivery. Will have the ability to work under pressure and manage staff and services.

Management and Leadership

The Post Holder will act as a role model for peers and colleagues, represent Navigo in the community in a compassionate and professional manner.

The Band 5 Post Holder will work within an environment that involves taking responsibility for the use of a significant number of resources, including crisis beds, access to in-patient services, processing of referrals and allocation of activity to achieve rapid response to crisis referrals.

As part of the team they will be involved in service expansion and development decisions this might include the recruitment and selection of staff along with appraisals and supervision.

Education and Development

The Acute Mental Health and Memory Service is a learning environment which accepts short-term placements, any qualified practitioners and a wide variety of other agencies, wishing to gain an insight into the Mental Health Services.

There is an expectation that the Post Holder will be involved in the provision of internal training sessions and presentations to other services and students.

The Post Holder may be asked to provide specific training or mentorship to students.

The Acute Mental Health and Memory Service members are expected to become actively involved in the change process and demonstrate commitment to changing role, ie in the development of specialist protocols and specialised programmes of care.

Team members will provide continuous development and evaluation of patient information packages to the service.

Individuals within the team will provide teaching and education to services users and carers with regard to living with mental ill health, and how to access service providers. This will involve working closely with other care providers, including relatives in a constructive manner using education, advice and support.

The Post Holder will be expected to organise and manage their own clinical supervision, and supervise peers, within NAViGO agreed guidelines.

Clinical Patient Care Duties and Responsibilities

To provide high quality care in the home or in-patient setting. Service users can access crisis services via a selection of routes this includes self-presenting at Harrison House. Families/carers will also need appropriate support and there will be regular liaison/referral to other agencies. This will require capability in the following areas:

1.To maintain accurate records, both written and computerised to a standard that reflects their level of clinical expertise. This may involve the use of specialised psychometric tools to complement the assessment and evaluation of client care.

2.The Post Holder must have experience of using psychosocial interventions in clinical practice.

3.Liaison with community based services and resources such as education, Social Security, employment, housing, Police and voluntary sector organisations to facilitate the delivery of the most appropriate and best possible care for the individual client, carers and their families.

4.Discuss complex issues surrounding risk management and plan care accordingly advising others regarding management of care.

5.Discharge planning.

6.To respond to client crisis in a positive pro-active manner.

7.To develop clear care pathways, including methods to reduce the risk of further crisis developing.

8.To work in a manner which is flexible according to client need.

9.To provide telephone support to any clients, carers, outside agencies or clinicians who require information, advice or crisis intervention. This will require the Post Holder to make immediate, effective decisions that will have implications for the outcomes of the clients mental health.

10.Be able to assess complex mental health conditions, then to develop and implement care packages in a variety of settings.

Skills & Attributes

Essential

• Proven and advanced skills in the following areas:
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Approaches to risk assessment
• Communication and liaison with a range of others
• Management and change management
• Clinical abilities
• Knowledge of issues involved in the treatment of mental illness and crisis care.
• Broad knowledge of risk assessments

Desirable

• Knowledge of the principles of nurse prescribing and the use of service users group directives/protocols
• Can demonstrate experience in audit and research

Personal Characteristics

Essential

• Team Worker
• Determination
• Flexibility
• Positive attitude to change
• Able to work across organisational boundaries
• Self-motivated
• Able to use initiative
• Committed to developing and improving mental health services
• Commitment to flexible working patterns
• Access and use of transport to ensure timely response to service users in the community

Desirable

• Evidence of commitment to service user/carer involvement
• Access to transport

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with clients with mental health problems and of Acute care
• Specific interest in Crisis work and risk management
• Knowledge of relapse prevention
• IT Literacy

Desirable

• Psychosocial interventions
• Use of clinical assessment measures
• First Aid training
• Leadership
• Knowledge of locality and facilities available

Qualifications

Essential

• A current professional qualification (RMN, Social worker)
• Ability to demonstrate clinical leadership in a multi-disciplinary team setting

Desirable

• Post qualification award in health/social care at degree or equivalent level
• D32/33 or ENB998 (equivalent)
• Clinical Supervision Training
• Nurse prescribing
• Degree level study
• AMHPs trained/willingness to undertake training

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).