Job summary
Senior Mental Health Practitioner (Community Eating Disorders Service)
Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?
Would you like to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to peoples lives to enjoy a better future?
This is an opportunity to join our innovative multi-disciplinary team (MDT) at a time when the community eating disorder provision across Devon is developing and evolving.
We are looking for a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) that operates from our clinic bases to include Wonford House, Exeter, North Devon District Hospital, and Torbay Health & Wellbeing Clinic, Torquay. Experience and an interest in eating disorders is preferred although we will provide a range of training opportunities that can help you develop the skills you need.
We will accept applications from registered nursing practitioners, qualified social workers or Allied Health Professionals with some experience in mental health and an interest in eating disorders.
We are a dynamic and innovative multi-disciplinary team, providing eating disorder evidence based interventions, assessment and advice and consultation across the DPT footprint in Devon (excepting Plymouth).
Main duties of the job
We strive to integrate psychiatric and physical care which is essential in the managing of our complex patient needs. This involves close links with GP surgeries and CMHTs plus local hospitals and specialist eating disorder in-patient units.
We have a wide range of skills and experience as a multi-professional team with a variety of staff groups, which include a Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialist Doctors, Dietitians, Nurses, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Assistant Practitioners and Peer Support Workers, along with Admin support.
We provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people with newly emerging eating disorders as well as for those with long-standing eating disorder difficulties and dual diagnosis.
Each patient has a named clinician within the team who supports them with their psychological health and wellbeing and delivers psychologically informed interventions. Every person's treatment is individualised and we aim to deliver specialist client-centred care, which inspires hope & recovery for our patient group and their family and carers.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) provides evidence-based, focused assessment and treatment pathways to adults in Devon who have moderate to severe eating disorders. This forms part of the individuals wider community treatment plan, working closely with other professionals within both Devon Partnership Trust and from other organizations.
We aim to improve the quality of life (including the physical and psychological well-being) of individuals with eating disorders and their family members/carers. Staff within the service also represent Devon Partnership Trust by working closely with GPs, University of Exeter and in general hospital settings and will play a vital role in communicating and maintaining a good working relationship between these organisations.
Through consultation, assessment and interventions, CEDS aims to:
- Provide signposting and general advice and information regarding eating disorders.
- Support people in their recovery from eating disorders.
- Improve quality of life for both patients and carers.
- Prevent hospital admissions (general hospital and specialist eating disorder units/placements).
- Provide teaching and training on request (subject to capacity).
- Liaison and consultation with Care Coordinators and other professionals involved in the individuals care and treatment.
- Offer range of assessments (depending on need) to support diagnosis and treatment options.
- Provide a range of psychological therapies, specialist dietetic support and support from Assistant Practitioners.
- Gate keep admissions to The Haldon (regional SEDU facility) and out of area specialist beds.
- Work closely with colleagues within inpatient eating disorder or district general hospital treatment services, to ensure continuation of treatment as appropriate on leaving hospital.
Job Purpose
- To work closely with other multi-disciplinary team members in the assessment of clients needs and provision of treatment to individuals with a diagnosis of an Eating Disorder.
- To provide both individual/group interventions relevant to the speciality, for example body image sessions and psychoeducation.
- To demonstrate effective leadership and assist the Practice Lead and Service Manager in ensuring that clinical and professional standards are maintained.
- To assess care needs, develop, implement and evaluate individual care plans.
- Facilitation, promotion and supervision of education and audit.
- To promote and improve quality of service provided.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) provides evidence-based, focused assessment and treatment pathways to adults in Devon who have moderate to severe eating disorders. This forms part of the individuals wider community treatment plan, working closely with other professionals within both Devon Partnership Trust and from other organizations.
We aim to improve the quality of life (including the physical and psychological well-being) of individuals with eating disorders and their family members/carers. Staff within the service also represent Devon Partnership Trust by working closely with GPs, University of Exeter and in general hospital settings and will play a vital role in communicating and maintaining a good working relationship between these organisations.
Through consultation, assessment and interventions, CEDS aims to:
- Provide signposting and general advice and information regarding eating disorders.
- Support people in their recovery from eating disorders.
- Improve quality of life for both patients and carers.
- Prevent hospital admissions (general hospital and specialist eating disorder units/placements).
- Provide teaching and training on request (subject to capacity).
- Liaison and consultation with Care Coordinators and other professionals involved in the individuals care and treatment.
- Offer range of assessments (depending on need) to support diagnosis and treatment options.
- Provide a range of psychological therapies, specialist dietetic support and support from Assistant Practitioners.
- Gate keep admissions to The Haldon (regional SEDU facility) and out of area specialist beds.
- Work closely with colleagues within inpatient eating disorder or district general hospital treatment services, to ensure continuation of treatment as appropriate on leaving hospital.
Job Purpose
- To work closely with other multi-disciplinary team members in the assessment of clients needs and provision of treatment to individuals with a diagnosis of an Eating Disorder.
- To provide both individual/group interventions relevant to the speciality, for example body image sessions and psychoeducation.
- To demonstrate effective leadership and assist the Practice Lead and Service Manager in ensuring that clinical and professional standards are maintained.
- To assess care needs, develop, implement and evaluate individual care plans.
- Facilitation, promotion and supervision of education and audit.
- To promote and improve quality of service provided.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified Registered Nurse (Mental Health), Allied Health Professional or Social Worker
Desirable
- Training, knowledge in at least one therapeutic intervention (willingness to obtain qualifications in this area).
- Training in relevant psychological therapy and or a willingness to partake in training
- Mentorship or student education training which is sufficient for sign off mentor status or a willingness to achieve this.
Experience
Essential
- Able to demonstrate past proven leadership experience
- Previous employment / experience of working with people with Mental Health problems
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people having an Eating Disorder
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.
- An interest in eating disorders
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified Registered Nurse (Mental Health), Allied Health Professional or Social Worker
Desirable
- Training, knowledge in at least one therapeutic intervention (willingness to obtain qualifications in this area).
- Training in relevant psychological therapy and or a willingness to partake in training
- Mentorship or student education training which is sufficient for sign off mentor status or a willingness to achieve this.
Experience
Essential
- Able to demonstrate past proven leadership experience
- Previous employment / experience of working with people with Mental Health problems
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people having an Eating Disorder
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.
- An interest in eating disorders
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.
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).
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.
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).
