Job summary
Join Us in Transforming Mental Health Care in Somerset
Are you passionate about improving mental health care for individuals with complex needs? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and dedicated professional to join our expanding Dual Diagnosis Team within the Mendip Community Mental Health Service.
Substance misuse in mental health is not the exception -- it's the norm. National estimates suggest that up to 80% of individuals with serious mental illness also experience co-occurring substance use disorders. As part of our Community Mental Health Service, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals with both mental health and substance misuse challenges, while also providing specialist consultation and guidance to colleagues across community and urgent care services.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is open to Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Social Workers who are passionate about integrated care and improving outcomes for individuals with dual diagnoses.
Main duties of the job
What You'll Be Doing:
- Managing a specialist clinical caseload of patients with co-existing substance misuse and mental health conditions.
- Providing expert consultation, supervision, and training to colleagues within both community and urgent care services.
- Leading and supporting evidence-based assessment, formulation, and treatment planning in line with national guidelines.
- Fostering strong partnerships with local drug and alcohol services, as well as recovery networks, to ensure a joined-up approach to care.
What We Offer:
- A clear leadership and supervision structure, with clinical support from the Trust's Dual Diagnosis Clinical Lead.
- The opportunity to be a core member of the community mental health team, ensuring mainstream service provision for patients with dual disorders.
- Ongoing professional development, including access to the Trust's PDR process for career growth and training.
If you're ready to make a real difference in the lives of people with complex mental health and substance misuse needs, we'd love to hear from you!
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To take a lead in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of interventions for people with a Dual Diagnosis within a designated geographical area or as required by the Service
- To work within the principles of the Trusts Dual Diagnosis Policy and to help with early identification of people who might benefit from the service and or who might be diagnosable with co existing disorders
- To act as keyworker for a caseload of people diagnosable with a Dual Diagnosis, assessing their needs, and developing their recovery care plan, coordinating and reviewing their care and treatment outlined in the plan, offering direct individual and group interventions to these and other service users where appropriate
- To provide group interventions if agreed within a local job plan
- To guide assessment, formulation and treatment planning for people with a Dual Diagnosis by other keyworkers and/or by community and inpatient teams. This will include taking a lead in developing formulations for service users and to promote best practice in positive risk management amongst teams working with this client group
- To work collaboratively and flexibly with the multi professional teams in the community and inpatients wards to co ordinate a coherent psychological approach towards Dual Diagnosis in the Trust, actively promoting continuity of care and approach between Wards & Community Teams
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To take a lead in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of interventions for people with a Dual Diagnosis within a designated geographical area or as required by the Service
- To work within the principles of the Trusts Dual Diagnosis Policy and to help with early identification of people who might benefit from the service and or who might be diagnosable with co existing disorders
- To act as keyworker for a caseload of people diagnosable with a Dual Diagnosis, assessing their needs, and developing their recovery care plan, coordinating and reviewing their care and treatment outlined in the plan, offering direct individual and group interventions to these and other service users where appropriate
- To provide group interventions if agreed within a local job plan
- To guide assessment, formulation and treatment planning for people with a Dual Diagnosis by other keyworkers and/or by community and inpatient teams. This will include taking a lead in developing formulations for service users and to promote best practice in positive risk management amongst teams working with this client group
- To work collaboratively and flexibly with the multi professional teams in the community and inpatients wards to co ordinate a coherent psychological approach towards Dual Diagnosis in the Trust, actively promoting continuity of care and approach between Wards & Community Teams
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN OR Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy OR Social Work or other relevant health or social care professional qualification or qualification in a relevant psychological therapy
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development in the field of dual diagnosis
Desirable
- Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention Training
- Non Medical Prescribing or willing to work towards
- Evidence of recent relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in working with people with complex clinical and risk presentations, including those diagnosable with dual diagnosis
- Experience of offering clinical supervision to other professionals
Desirable
- Working with clients in the community and inpatient settings
- Working within drug and alcohol services
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN OR Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy OR Social Work or other relevant health or social care professional qualification or qualification in a relevant psychological therapy
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development in the field of dual diagnosis
Desirable
- Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention Training
- Non Medical Prescribing or willing to work towards
- Evidence of recent relevant training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in working with people with complex clinical and risk presentations, including those diagnosable with dual diagnosis
- Experience of offering clinical supervision to other professionals
Desirable
- Working with clients in the community and inpatient settings
- Working within drug and alcohol services
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
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).
