Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

ManagementResponsible for the line management of identified members of the service.

Monitor the practice of junior staff and identify any learning and development needs in respect of theclinical skills base.

Maintain own and lead/supervise staff in maintaining professional, therapeutic relationship/boundarieswith patients, carers and colleagues.

To support the development of effective mental health care pathways within the service.

Support service evaluation and to audit systems.

Support review/development of service wide policies and protocols.Support the establishment of partnerships and networks with key stakeholders.

Deputise for Line Manager as required.

Clinical

To be accountable for own professional practice, in line with your professional body.

Participate in mental health promotion.

Provide the appropriate interventions to patients with mental illness (incorporating NICE Guidelines).

Provide training and support for colleagues, including non-statutory and statutory agencies.

Effective personal planning and organisation of daily workloadFlexible working and manage own working time effectively and accordingly to service- demands.

Practice autonomously in making clinical judgements, identifying alternative courses of action,managing and providing a high quality of care.

Maintain respectful, effective professional interpersonal relationships with others.Attend all mandatory training as required by the Trust and to undertake further training and updatingas required to carry out the role.

Initiate, create and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, ensuring that practiceis patient centred.

Promote the involvement of service users and carers in the development of the care pathway.

Ensuring that all patients are given full explanation of their care pathway/treatment options, and nodecision is taken forward without their consent.

Regularly be involved in service evaluation, audit and/or research studies.Undertake clinical audit and clinical governance activities as required.

Professional

Demonstrate a personal approach to practice that is reflective and informed by best practice includingNICE Guidelines.

To adhere to local and professionally prescribed codes of ethical conduct and practice (e.g.confidentiality).

Maintain a professional portfolio, which demonstrates development in reflective practice.

Have regular clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.

Have regular Management Supervision as per Trust Policy.

Ensure recorded contact data are accurately and timely as per Business Processes.

Adhere to all policies, procedures, guidelines and standards set by Norfolk and Suffolk FoundationTrust and relevant professional body.

Maintain and update knowledge relating legal and ethical frameworks including to the current MentalHealth Act and any relevant guidance thereof, and sharing all relevant information to Primary Carecolleagues as necessary.

Identifying personal learning and training needs through PDP, appraisal and personal developmentplans on an annual basis.

Support and develop the principles of joint partnership working and to be proactive in fostering positiveinteragency relationships and information sharing.

Provide cover in the absence of colleagues in the team and assume the responsibility normallyundertaken by them during their period of absence.

Act as a Mentor to students to ensure that annual updates are undertaken and evidence for Triennialreview is provided.

Be responsible for student placements and learning outcomes, with regular contact with the link tutorto discuss student issues as they arise.

Actively participate in the education and development of the future workforce by supporting,supervising, and assessing students/learners within the clinical practice setting.

Maintain the required Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) orPractice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants) to effectively fulfil student supervision andassessment duties.

Ensure that personal appearance, practice and manner conform to the standards and expectations ofthe Trust.

To comply with all Trust Policies, Guidelines and Protocols with particular regard tocommunity services.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration.
• Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)
• Ongoing professional development working towards degree level ( if professional registration is following a diploma level course)

Desirable

• Recognised Leadership/Management training
• Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice

Experience

Essential

• Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of mental health practice from previous experience
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and risk management experience
• Experience of managing a caseload and the provision of Mental Health Care services to people with mental health care needs

Desirable

• Experience in delivering group based interventions Experience in supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives
• Experience working in the specific area
• Experience of interagency working

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication and engagement skills Conflict resolution and Breakaway training (or requirement to undertake within first 12 weeks)
• Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills
• Competent and effective documentation and record keeping

Desirable

• Able to time manage and reflect on clinical practice
• Safeguarding training
• Prevention and Management of Suicide training

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of the policies and guidelines both local and national e.g. National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines (Government initiative) Up to date knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks including Mental Health Act.
• Have the ability to discuss, identify and escalate safeguarding issues in a sensitive way to protect those who are vulnerable
• The ability to use clinical assessment tools and outcome measures effectively and collaboratively

Desirable

• Developing knowledge of local wider systems and networks
• Knowledge of health promotion
• Knowledge of medication and the monitoring of its effects

other

Essential

• Ability and willingness to travel independently to meet the needs and requirements of the service

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).