Job summary
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, closed Bank Holidays.
Flexible working is available.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join the Ealing Southall MINT team. At Southall MINT, we boast a diverse team dedicated to serving the Southall community's unique needs.
We are seeking to appoint individuals who possess a robust understanding of mental health conditions, coupled with exceptional communication skills, a personable approach, and a commitment to providing outstanding customer service. The ideal candidates will be fervent about empowering and supporting individuals on their recovery journey, demonstrating high motivation, enthusiasm, and a compassionate nature to deliver the utmost care with patience and understanding to our service users.
In alignment with the Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults (2019), our vision is to provide services in community settings that resonate with and meet the local population's needs. We are looking for professionals who share this vision and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team.
Main duties of the job
In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in bridging the gap for individuals facing mental health challenges by connecting them with vital community supports and resources. As an Assistant Practitioner, your expertise will lie in assessing patients and coordinating their care by facilitating referrals to suitable community partners within the voluntary sector. Your work will be centred on fostering autonomy and promoting independence, building upon each individual's strengths. You will play a key part in assisting them to acquire skills and confidence in areas of support collaboratively identified, as well as promptly escalating any concerns that may arise.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach; thus, you will work in close partnership with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), which includes peer workers, psychologists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and our administrative team. Your professional development is of utmost importance to us. You will be fully supported through weekly MDT meetings, where you will have the opportunity to discuss your assessments and receive comprehensive guidance from the collective expertise of the team.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK.
Our 3,982 staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country.
We provide care and treatment for more than 800,000 people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, delivering services in the community (at home, in GP surgeries and care homes), hospital, specialist clinics and forensic (secure) units.
We'rerated good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Together, we're committed to promoting hope and wellbeing, working with patients, service users, carers, families and partners across the communities we serve.
We are keen to ensure that our workforce reflects the community it serves, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and experience of mental illness.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will involve a number of elements which will support the management of people with mental health conditions in the new integrated mental health teams. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to form a truly innovative and ground-breaking support structure. Please see more details of the job description Candidate Information Pack.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will involve a number of elements which will support the management of people with mental health conditions in the new integrated mental health teams. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to form a truly innovative and ground-breaking support structure. Please see more details of the job description Candidate Information Pack.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (with a minimum of 5 A-E qualifications, which must include Maths and English) NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care plus post qualifications or further study/training to diploma level or NVQ 4 in Mental Health and/or WLMHT Assistant Practitioner Course OR Relevant degree OR equivalent level of experience Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills relating to role.
- Computer qualification or experience/skills
Experience
Essential
- To be knowledgeable/understanding about factors that cause/impact of mental health problems and associated interventions.
- Experience of developing relationships with a wide variety of people
- Coordination of services from a variety of organisations
- Proven ability to recognise and manage risk
- Ability to understand budgetary requirements; ensure that packages are cost effective and value for money; and highlight inefficiencies
- Good interpersonal skills Ability to work well across teams
- Ability to work on own initiative without direct supervision, understanding where clinical input is needed
- Experience of working with people with various communication challenges
- Evidence of caring and/or demonstrable interest in working within a care setting
- Evidence of compassion and basic kindness
- Courage - having the honesty and integrity to report mistakes
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a Health or Social Care setting in a paid or voluntary position.
- Demonstrate a knowledge/understanding of: a) The key sections of the Mental Health Act and its use in practice or b) equivalent mental health or social care legislation appropriate to service area or c) legislation pertinent to substance misuse services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skill
- Able to work on own initiative
- Able to work as part of a team. Demonstrate well developed interpersonal skills Basic computer skills, ability to use 'word, programmes.
- Clear personal and interpersonal boundaries
- Ability and willingness to undertake training to increase competency level
- Knowledge of equality and diversity and rights
- Motivation and commitment
Desirable
- knowledge/understanding of: a) Recovery approach and service user involvement b) The key sections of the Mental Health Act c) Service user involvement d) Strategies relating to Risk management e) Safeguarding principles f) Physical healthcare monitoring and interpretation g) Principles of Care Certificate Assessment
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to carry out all aspects of the job.
- Ability to identify tasks and delegate appropriately.
- Good at working in a team
- Thoughtful and reflective
- Ability to actively listen and observe
- Ability to demonstrate the Trust Values, Togetherness, Caring, Excellence and Responsibility
- Ability to demonstrate emotional resilience and appropriate coping skills
- Ability to undertake the required PMVA teamwork training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (with a minimum of 5 A-E qualifications, which must include Maths and English) NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care plus post qualifications or further study/training to diploma level or NVQ 4 in Mental Health and/or WLMHT Assistant Practitioner Course OR Relevant degree OR equivalent level of experience Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills relating to role.
- Computer qualification or experience/skills
Experience
Essential
- To be knowledgeable/understanding about factors that cause/impact of mental health problems and associated interventions.
- Experience of developing relationships with a wide variety of people
- Coordination of services from a variety of organisations
- Proven ability to recognise and manage risk
- Ability to understand budgetary requirements; ensure that packages are cost effective and value for money; and highlight inefficiencies
- Good interpersonal skills Ability to work well across teams
- Ability to work on own initiative without direct supervision, understanding where clinical input is needed
- Experience of working with people with various communication challenges
- Evidence of caring and/or demonstrable interest in working within a care setting
- Evidence of compassion and basic kindness
- Courage - having the honesty and integrity to report mistakes
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a Health or Social Care setting in a paid or voluntary position.
- Demonstrate a knowledge/understanding of: a) The key sections of the Mental Health Act and its use in practice or b) equivalent mental health or social care legislation appropriate to service area or c) legislation pertinent to substance misuse services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skill
- Able to work on own initiative
- Able to work as part of a team. Demonstrate well developed interpersonal skills Basic computer skills, ability to use 'word, programmes.
- Clear personal and interpersonal boundaries
- Ability and willingness to undertake training to increase competency level
- Knowledge of equality and diversity and rights
- Motivation and commitment
Desirable
- knowledge/understanding of: a) Recovery approach and service user involvement b) The key sections of the Mental Health Act c) Service user involvement d) Strategies relating to Risk management e) Safeguarding principles f) Physical healthcare monitoring and interpretation g) Principles of Care Certificate Assessment
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to carry out all aspects of the job.
- Ability to identify tasks and delegate appropriately.
- Good at working in a team
- Thoughtful and reflective
- Ability to actively listen and observe
- Ability to demonstrate the Trust Values, Togetherness, Caring, Excellence and Responsibility
- Ability to demonstrate emotional resilience and appropriate coping skills
- Ability to undertake the required PMVA teamwork 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.
