Job summary
Access to Wellbeing Single Point of Access Mental Health service have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner to join the newly formed team.
To work as a qualified practitioner in the Access Wellbeing Single Point of Access which provides a referral and access point for professionals into Access Wellbeing.
To provide specialist screening and triage via a telephone service, as part of the wider multi- disciplinary care team.
To complete face to face urgent mental health assessments as required.
To provide specialist advice to others in relation to referrals and potential treatment pathways or interventions.
Provide supervision, mentorship, training and clinical support to other professionals and the VCSE Sector as required.
To provide a high-quality person-centred approach to care delivery which always considers people's safety, privacy and dignity.
Please note that the post will not be based at Kings Park Hospital. The role will be located at the designated Single Point of Access (SPOA) site, which will be confirmed in due course.
Main duties of the job
The role involves screening, assessing, and providing specialist mental health care through the single point of access, including telephone-based and occasional face-to-face assessments, risk management, signposting, and autonomous clinical decision-making. It requires maintaining advanced, evidence-based clinical expertise, effective communication of complex and sensitive information, and active involvement in quality improvement through audit, evaluation, and complaint handling.
There are leadership expectations: modelling Trust values, supporting change, and contributing to service development. The post provides guidance, supervision, and training to junior staff, promotes effective multidisciplinary teamwork, and maintains high standards of documentation and data reporting.
Responsibilities also include efficient use of resources, participation in audits and research activity, contributing to policy development, and upholding professional codes of practice. The role demands strong IT competence, continuous professional development, and the ability to challenge poor practice.
Environmental demands include prolonged desk-based work, sustained concentration, exposure to distressing information, and the need for expert judgement when advising on acute situations.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING
Essential
- Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
- Learning and Assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training or experience of supporting students
- Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
- Ability to evaluate care leading to improvement in quality standards and service improvement
- Willingness to advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence
- Learning and Assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training or experience of supporting students
Desirable
- Recent previous experience within a comparable role
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of adults Mental Health working
- Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
Desirable
- Recent previous experience within a comparable role
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING
Essential
- Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
- Learning and Assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training or experience of supporting students
- Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
- Ability to evaluate care leading to improvement in quality standards and service improvement
- Willingness to advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence
- Learning and Assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training or experience of supporting students
Desirable
- Recent previous experience within a comparable role
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of adults Mental Health working
- Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
Desirable
- Recent previous experience within a comparable role
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
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).
Additional information
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).
