Associate Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

QUALITY OF CARE

1.1 Work only under the direction and supervision of qualified staff.

1.2 Assist in the assessment of and implementation of individuals care and risk plans.

1.3 Support and enable individuals to administer their own financial affairs, maintain own physical health care needs and treatments, daily living and social skills, administer medication and address spiritual needs.

1.4 Assist individuals to identify and develop an action plan, which maximises employment opportunities and engagement of meaningful activities in the community.

1.5 Act as Associate Worker, observing and interacting with service users and their families and carers, and document as required in the MDT notes.

1.16 Facilitate recreational and social activities as required.

1.17 Record and document as required (and after appropriate training) physical observations, such as weight, temperature, pulse and respiration and blood pressure. Report to the Senior Practitioner/Team Leaders any significant findings.

1.18 Escort service users to various therapeutic treatment programmes as determined by their care plan. These may be internal and external to the team base.

1.19 Participate in supervision and appraisal processes to enable reflection and person development.

1.20 Be aware of and adhere to agreed procedures for delivering care.

1.21 Be aware of ones own limitations in terms of experience and knowledge. Make this known if asked to perform duties beyond ones competence.

1.22 Recognise peoples diversity and promote equality of opportunity and access to services to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour.

1.23 Provide advice and information about mental health needs and related services and facilities, to enable access and promote individual rights to represent their own interests and needs.

1.24 Maintain active contact with individuals to ensure continuity of care.

1.25 Contribute to the assessment and planning of individuals abilities and needs.

1.26 Establish and sustain working relationships to support and reinforce positive behavioural goals, to achieve the effectiveness of agreed therapeutic interventions. Evaluate with other members of the team.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a health or social care discipline and registered with recognised professional body
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
• Current and full UK drivers license

Desirable

• Professional management qualification at diploma level or above
• Project Management qualification e.g. PRINCE2 foundation level

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in a health or social care management role
• Experience of working with people who experience serious ongoing mental health problems
• Experience of working in a mental health setting
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working as part of a team to include experience of leading multidisciplinary groups
• Experience of case assessment, care management, CPA, Risk Assessment
• Experience of managing and supervising staff

Desirable

• Experience of project development and management
• Experience of quality assurance monitoring
• Experience of working as Duty Senior Nurse
• Experience of managing budgets
• Experience of deputising
• Experience of chairing meetings
• Experience of CMHT working

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of effective models of mental health and social care provision
• Knowledge of Safeguarding issues and child protection requirements/legislation and how these apply to the role
• Working knowledge of relevant legislative requirements, especially in the NHS and Community Care Act (1990), and their application to the Mental Health Act 1983
• Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills, and behavioural skills
• Knowledge of legislation related to nursing, social workers and other professions
• Knowledge of recent initiatives in nursing
• Knowledge of psychosocial interventions Policy design, development and implementation skills which impact across own professional discipline
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of transferable creative skills, which can be utilised in Team Management and development services
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with staff at every level of this and other statutory and voluntary organisations
• Report writing skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data
• Ability to deal with complex issues arising from managing a diverse multidisciplinary service
• Good time management skills and ability to prioritise
• Budget management skills
• Ability to effectively manage and lead staff
• Intermediate IT skills
• Ability to work autonomously

Other

Essential

• A commitment to cultural awareness and anti-discriminatory practice
• An understanding and positive regard for the needs and rights of people with mental health problems and their carers Ability to adapt to changing environments, needs and demands.
• Ability to travel effectively between Trust locations with permanent access to a car

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Park Royal Centre for Mental Health

Brent Home Treatment Team,

London

NW10 7FY

Employer's website

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