Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 15 June 2025

Job summary

A 6 month secondment / fixed term post opportunity has become available to join the Care Home Education and Support Service (CHESS) in Tavistock as a Mental Health Practitioner.

We are based in Tavistock and our role is to support the residential and Nursing Homes in our local area in meeting the mental health needs of their residents who have a diagnosis of dementia and present with the associated behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) of the condition.

We are a multi-disciplinary team that comprises of Nursing staff, Occupational Therapists and Social Care Workers.

Main duties of the job

We use a biological/psychological/social approach to care which is person centred and holistic.

Our focus is on the investigation and identification of acute physical health variables that may be contributing to distress and highlight these to our primary care colleagues where appropriate.

We look for any relevant social and environmental factors that and make non-pharmacological recommendations to the care home about their approach and how to provide optimal care to improve mental health and wellbeing of their residents.

We also provide medication optimisation and pharmacological intervention as part of this process where required.

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.

Date posted

19 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0389

Job locations

Plymouth Road

Older People’s Community Mental Health Team – South Hams and West Devon The Quay

Tavistock

Devon

PL19 8AB

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Mentoring students in line with professional requirements

Desirable

Substantial experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload of clients with a range of complex mental health presentations.
Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
Providing clinical supervision.

Qualifications

Essential

A professional mental health qualification and registration, RMN, Social Work Degree or equivalent, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT

Desirable

Chartered Clinical Psychologist, ENB 811/812 or Community Nursing Degree
Non-Medical Prescriber and/or another recognised therapy qualification
Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism
Clinical Supervision qualification
Training to level 3 in Safeguarding Adults and children and young people: roles and competencies for Health Care staff

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health presentations.
Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance to service need.
Good clinical assessment skills

Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of the Mental Health Act / Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
An understanding of community structures and Health and Social Care

Desirable

Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health
Understanding of Health and Social Care Agenda for Older Adults
Understanding of Organic Presentations in Older Adults

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Mentoring students in line with professional requirements

Desirable

Substantial experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload of clients with a range of complex mental health presentations.
Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
Providing clinical supervision.

Qualifications

Essential

A professional mental health qualification and registration, RMN, Social Work Degree or equivalent, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT

Desirable

Chartered Clinical Psychologist, ENB 811/812 or Community Nursing Degree
Non-Medical Prescriber and/or another recognised therapy qualification
Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism
Clinical Supervision qualification
Training to level 3 in Safeguarding Adults and children and young people: roles and competencies for Health Care staff

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health presentations.
Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance to service need.
Good clinical assessment skills

Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of the Mental Health Act / Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
An understanding of community structures and Health and Social Care

Desirable

Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health
Understanding of Health and Social Care Agenda for Older Adults
Understanding of Organic Presentations in Older Adults

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.