Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post-holder will work within CAMHS providing assessment and interventions to individuals and groups

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. CLINICAL

1.1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

1.2. Assess and supports Young People and Families with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery.

1.3. Ability to deliver a range of therapeutic techniques which can be incorporated into one to one and /or group interventions

1.4. Undertakes patient centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

1.5. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-ups the persons treatment to high intensity.

1.6. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high volume low intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.

1.7. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary. .

1.8. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

1.9. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

1.10.Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

1.11.Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols

1.12.Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step- down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

1.13.Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process

2. PROFESSIONAL

2.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

2.2. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

2.3. Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of treatment for common mental health problems.

2.4. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

2.5. Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

2.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

2.7. Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

2.8. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

3. GENERAL

3.1. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

3.2. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

3.3. All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

3.4. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties

Trust Values:

The Trust is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people e.g, service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc, with dignity and respectat all time. The post holder must all time act in accordance with the Trusts Values:

Honest, open, transparent

Respectful

Person first and in the centre

Improve and be outstanding

Relevant today, ready for tomorrow

Families and carers matter

Safeguarding:

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy.

Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

Trust policies and commitments to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy:

All staff employed by the Trust must comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, undertake appropriate training required for their role and commit to:

ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns;

maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct;

understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Trust Data Protection policy;

comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually;

receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed;

understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy;

recognise, respect and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity;

ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participatingin relevanttraining;

comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e. CPD, Audit, Supervision);

demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service wide quality improvement;

abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached;

work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards.

adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds;

being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact;

Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly;

In addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the band as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

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Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
• Computer literate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills.
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients.
• Demonstrates an understanding of mild to moderate mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, and how it may present in Primary Care.
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.

Desirable

• Received risk assessment training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work / employment and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

Essential

• Post Graduate Certificate for Low Intensity Therapies (IAPT) or equivalent qualification.
• OR
• Qualification from PWP Training Course (Post Graduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course) or EMHP or equivalent eg. Experienced and Qualified Graduate Mental Health Worker with relevant Primary Care experiences and competences as required.
• OR
• Registered Mental Health Nurse/Social Worker/Occupational Therapist /or equivalent substantial CAMHS clinical experience.

Desirable

• Post Graduate Mental Health Certificate or Mental Health Professional qualification (nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, etc).

Experience

Essential

• Substantial mental health working / working with Children/YP experience including voluntary work or expertise gained by experience of mental health problems.
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication.
• Able to write clear reports and letters.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.

Desirable

• Experience of working in Primary Care Services.
• Evidence of working in the local community.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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.

UK Registration

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