Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist EIP Practitioner

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker to join the Early Intervention in Psychosis (STEP) service, based at Magnolia House, Yeovil, covering the South Somerset area.

This is a fantastic chance to become part of a well-resourced and supportive multidisciplinary team comprising mental health nurses, social workers, psychologists, medics, carers, and peer support workers. Together, we work to enhance the quality of life for individuals, making this role incredibly rewarding.

Our specialist service supports individuals aged 14-65 who are experiencing, or are at high risk of developing, their first episode of psychosis. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work autonomously while being supported by an experienced MDT.

Main duties of the job

  • Conduct specialist assessments for individuals experiencing early psychosis or at risk of developing a first episode.

  • Act as a care coordinator, managing a defined caseload and developing recovery-focused care plans.

  • Provide family interventions and individual therapy/support, including psychosocial and CBT-informed approaches.

  • Undertake outreach and community-based work, engaging with service users and carers in a variety of settings.

  • Deliver education and liaison support to families, carers, and partner agencies.

  • Assess and manage clinical risk collaboratively with service users, carers, and professionals.

  • Work in partnership with voluntary organisations, primary care, acute services, housing, and substance misuse teams.

  • Supervise junior staff and students, contributing to clinical leadership and service development.

  • Participate in audits, quality improvement projects, and evaluation to ensure high-quality service delivery.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3009

Job locations

Magnolia House

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Early Intervention in Psychosis Practitioner, you will provide triage, assessment, care coordination, outreach, and therapeutic interventions to people experiencing or at risk of psychosis. Your practice will be creative and recovery-focused, making use of a biopsychosocial approach.

You will have the opportunity to deliver innovative interventions, which may include group activities such as art projects, online gaming groups, or outdoor adventure activities like paddle boarding - supporting engagement and recovery through meaningful experiences.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Developing and delivering recovery and risk management plans in collaboration with service users and carers.

  • Using psychological approaches (e.g., motivational interviewing, solution-focused interventions, CBT-informed practice) to support individuals and families.

  • Providing highly complex information sensitively, including in safeguarding and child protection situations.

  • Liaising with a wide range of agencies, including CAMHS, acute services, GPs, housing providers, and voluntary sector partners.

  • Contributing to team development, service innovation, and ongoing evaluation of the EIP pathway.

This is a senior role within the team, and you will be expected to act as a role model, supporting junior colleagues, supervising Band 5 and unregistered staff, and deputising for the Team Manager when required.

We are proud to have received additional investment to further enhance our service, and our team has been recognised as performing well in the NCAP Early Intervention in Psychosis Spotlight Audit, making this an excellent time to join STEP.

A full driving licence and access to transport with business insurance is essential for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Early Intervention in Psychosis Practitioner, you will provide triage, assessment, care coordination, outreach, and therapeutic interventions to people experiencing or at risk of psychosis. Your practice will be creative and recovery-focused, making use of a biopsychosocial approach.

You will have the opportunity to deliver innovative interventions, which may include group activities such as art projects, online gaming groups, or outdoor adventure activities like paddle boarding - supporting engagement and recovery through meaningful experiences.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Developing and delivering recovery and risk management plans in collaboration with service users and carers.

  • Using psychological approaches (e.g., motivational interviewing, solution-focused interventions, CBT-informed practice) to support individuals and families.

  • Providing highly complex information sensitively, including in safeguarding and child protection situations.

  • Liaising with a wide range of agencies, including CAMHS, acute services, GPs, housing providers, and voluntary sector partners.

  • Contributing to team development, service innovation, and ongoing evaluation of the EIP pathway.

This is a senior role within the team, and you will be expected to act as a role model, supporting junior colleagues, supervising Band 5 and unregistered staff, and deputising for the Team Manager when required.

We are proud to have received additional investment to further enhance our service, and our team has been recognised as performing well in the NCAP Early Intervention in Psychosis Spotlight Audit, making this an excellent time to join STEP.

A full driving licence and access to transport with business insurance is essential for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
  • Current registration with relevant professional body
  • Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Desirable

  • Degree/Diploma level qualification in family interventions in psychosis (eg. FIRST Course)/CBT for Psychosis/Psychosocial Interventions
  • Other relevant specialist CPD qualification (eg. Clinical assessment)

Experience

Essential

  • Familiarity with Early Interventions principles and research.
  • Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
  • Experience of managing the physical health of clients including physical observation skills, training in phlebotomy and taking ECGs or willing to undertake training as part of the role.
  • Good knowledge of resources and working practices across health and social care.
  • Ability to be innovative in practice.
  • Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
  • Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
  • Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems

Desirable

  • Experience of mental health difficulties

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.
  • Able to carry out evidence-based interventions.
  • Be a role model to Peer Support workers.
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
  • Ability to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to work autonomously and independently.
  • Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
  • Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
  • High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
  • Ability to work in partnership with other agencies.
  • Willingness to lead groups.
  • Experience of multidisciplinary working in a community setting.
  • Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
  • Intuitive and caring nature.
  • To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
  • Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
  • Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives.
  • Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
  • Act in a way that supports equality and diversity.
  • Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance

Desirable

  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients
  • Required to spend a considerable period of a working day in front of a VDU
  • Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
  • Current registration with relevant professional body
  • Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Desirable

  • Degree/Diploma level qualification in family interventions in psychosis (eg. FIRST Course)/CBT for Psychosis/Psychosocial Interventions
  • Other relevant specialist CPD qualification (eg. Clinical assessment)

Experience

Essential

  • Familiarity with Early Interventions principles and research.
  • Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
  • Experience of managing the physical health of clients including physical observation skills, training in phlebotomy and taking ECGs or willing to undertake training as part of the role.
  • Good knowledge of resources and working practices across health and social care.
  • Ability to be innovative in practice.
  • Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
  • Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
  • Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems

Desirable

  • Experience of mental health difficulties

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.
  • Able to carry out evidence-based interventions.
  • Be a role model to Peer Support workers.
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
  • Ability to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to work autonomously and independently.
  • Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
  • Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
  • High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
  • Ability to work in partnership with other agencies.
  • Willingness to lead groups.
  • Experience of multidisciplinary working in a community setting.
  • Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
  • Intuitive and caring nature.
  • To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
  • Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
  • Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives.
  • Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
  • Act in a way that supports equality and diversity.
  • Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance

Desirable

  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients
  • Required to spend a considerable period of a working day in front of a VDU
  • Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Magnolia House

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Magnolia House

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra.higgins@somersetft.nhs.uk

07554415639

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3009

Job locations

Magnolia House

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Supporting documents

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