Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Band 6

JOB SUMMARY

The post-holder will:

Provide assessment and treatment to children and young people with mental health needs;

Work autonomously and collaboratively within the MDT, providing consultation for other agencies/professionals;

Work as part of CAMHS first on-call rota.

Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.

To provide routine and urgent assessment and interventions to young people with a wide range of emotional and psychological problems who are referred to specialist CAMHS, in keeping with evidence based practice with supervision from a senior clinician within professional guidelines and within the overall framework of the teams policies and procedures.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To support the ongoing process of delivering a comprehensive CAMHS system.

To provide assessment, interventions, therapy to children, young people with the most severe, complex and persistent mental health problems, including those who are severely mentally ill or at suicidal risk and where appropriate, families as both an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings to address need.

To apply a sound knowledge of safeguarding children and guidelines in clinical work.

To be committed to a quality approach for patient care.

The post-holder will demonstrate high levels of concentration and provide sustained effort in assessment of complex family issues.

To manage own caseload, accessing support and guidance appropriate to individual need.

To operate within the clinical and case management supervision framework.

To provide training, consultation and supervision to other service providers, partner agencies and junior members of staff as required regarding intensive interventions with children, young people and families.

To participate in the development, audit and review of this extension to existing service provision.

To undertake extended hours of work alongside fellow specialist CAMHS practitioners.

To work collaboratively with all services to provide coherent and co-ordinated mental health services for children and young people as well as other significant partners, ensuring timely transition and relevant consultation, training and support to universal services and targeted groups.

To use a range of Information Technology systems (including Rio and System One) ensuring high quality data is collected appropriately, kept securely and confidentially

To participate in an agreed clinical audit programme for the service, and ensure lessons learnt from both audit and clinical incidents are reported.

To comply with both clinical and corporate governance frameworks.

To support the engagement of service stakeholders and users in the development and monitoring of service delivery and identify opportunities for service improvement and redesign.

To actively promote user/carer involvement in all aspects of care planning/delivery whilst respecting the rights, capabilities and wishes of the individuals concerned.

To work in an innovative and child, young person and family centred way, in a culture of continuous improvement and learning.

Apply Trust policies and procedures in instances of aggression, acute distress and disturbed mental health presentations.

To maintain relevant professional registration

To identify and communicate any concerns through the relevant management processes.

To demonstrate continued practice development and engage in annual appraisal.

Band 5

JOB SUMMARY:

The post holder will be responsible for their designated workload within their speciality area with access to the support, advice and management from a senior clinician whilst not directly supervised. In doing so, they will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate individual plans of care developed from psychologically informed multi-factorial formulations. The post holder will ensure that they practice within their sphere of competence and knowledge. The post holder will work to professional protocols and regulatory body codes, standards and guidance at all times, ensuring that their practice is grounded in the best available evidence based theoretical and practical knowledge.

The post holder will:

Deliver generic and forensic evidence based planned care, which is safe and effective, in a manner which is caring , compassionate and enables service users to reach an optimum level of functioning, independence, rehabilitation and recovery.

Provide care within well established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and established clinical care plans, whilst acting within the required sphere of clinical competences for the role at all times.

Work to standards of proficiency identified by their professional and regulatory bodies performing clinical treatments/procedures to a competent standard.

Prioritise their own workload within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.

Contribute to enabling service users to reach their potential, including the utilisation of public health approaches eg, providing advice and support or signposting to the appropriate service.

Undertake and maintain the required statutory, mandatory and core training as required by the specific area of service.

May be required to work in challenging environments which could include using managing aggression and violence techniques, lone working and conflict resolution.

Work flexibly to meet the needs of the FCAMHS service, working across bases when required.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1.1 Care provision

Demonstrate a broad theoretical and practical knowledge of common aetiologies, pathologies, conditions and presentations.

Demonstrate the ability to apply theory to practice at a proficient level when assessing, planning, treating and reviewing using a holistic philosophy.

Make judgements requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of options and ensures clinical reasoning is reflected accurately in case records.

Engage and actively involve the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of involvement and empowerment.

Approach each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in the management of any complaints and compliments.

Provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information where motivational, persuasive, empathetic, negotiating and reassurance skills are required whilst demonstrating an understanding of barriers to communication.

1.2 Working as part of a team

Work within other clinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.

As part of a team, deliver person centred care whilst meeting the service standards and objectives.

Provide and receive service user information using tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skills as required. Act within the 8 principles of the Data Protection Act 1988.

Contribute to ward/department/team meetings offering suggestions for quality improvement. Actively engage in good team working to facilitate effective relationships with all health professionals.

Maintain strong working relationships and communication links with the team and others in achieving/improving service/quality standards.

Take part in team reflection and investigation of complaints and Adverse Risk Incidents as directed to ensure that lessons are learned from mistakes and that team working is enhanced.

Comply with corporate governance structures in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.

Actively works towards developing and maintaining effective clinical and corporate working relationships both within and outside the Trust including other agencies, individuals and Higher Education Institutes

Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships.

Actively contributes to the multi-disciplinary team supporting the patient including communication with external care providers, voluntary support services and other agencies; acting as a credible source of information for other agencies/professionals involved in the care as required.

1.3 Managing self

Undertake timely and appropriate mandatory training, study days, in-service training programmes and keep up to date with changes in operational procedures and developments in clinical practice.

Reflect on and evaluates own practice and identify areas of development by setting appropriate objectives via appraisal and clinical supervision.

Contributes to and undertakes clinical audit.

Is committed to delivering and sharing learning opportunities with students, team members and other agencies in order to develop self and others.

Promote a positive image of the Service/Trust.

Actively participate in the appraisal process using it as a positive means of improving self-awareness, development and work practice.

Maintain personal and professional development as identified in your performance review to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staffs development and training.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Experience

Essential

• Band 6
• Substantial post qualification experience, some of which must be working with Children, young people and their carers in a mental health or other complex care setting.
• Multidisciplinary team working.
• Inter-agency liaison and consultation.
• Experience of supervising/mentoring junior staff.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance e.g. NHS plan, Mental Health Legislation, Childrens act, Education Act, Working Together, Childrens NSF, Every Child Matters, etc.
• Clinical/therapeutic knowledge and skills in mental health.
• Experience in assessment and risk management and ability to implement evidence based practice.
• Proven ability to work with other agencies and disciplines and in partnership with other organisations.
• Experience of safeguarding children and young people.
• Band 5
• Theoretical and clinical knowledge appropriate to service area and profession.
• Knowledge of relevant current issues in health and social care.
• Knowledge of Standards of Conduct.
• Demonstrates awareness of limits to knowledge base.
• Basic understanding of clinical governance and quality measures.

Desirable

• Band 6
• Experience of community settings.
• Experience of working in different cultural contexts.
• Knowledge and experience of working with Equality and Diversity.
• Band 5
• Experience of working with young people.
• Experience of working within a secure environment.

Training

Essential

• Band 5
• Pre-registration experience in the clinical field or a closely related clinical area.
• Working as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Band 6
• Training and experience relating to specialist CAMHS.
• Experience of delivering training to others.
• Band 5
• Experience of facilitating clinical supervision.

Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Band 6
• Good verbal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage own caseload.
• Good negotiation skills, and problem solving skills.
• Customer service orientation.
• Effective record keeping and report writing skills to include care planning and risk assessments.
• IT skills.
• Have good team working skills. Be able to work across disciplines with an ability to predict and manage inter-disciplinary tensions and foster good working practices.
• Band 5
• Assessment, planning and evaluation skills.
• Performs test / procedures / diagnostics relevant to clinical role proficiently.
• Analytical and creative problem solving skills.
• Workload management including delegation of tasks.
• Competent IT skills e.g. word processing, email in order to maintain electronic patient records.
• Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex or potentially distressing information to patients / carers and/ or other professionals / agencies.
• Risk assessment skills.
• Reflective practice skills.
• Able to research, understand and evaluate evidence in order to contribute to practice development.
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction.
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 12hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users.

Qualifications

Essential

• Band 6
• Relevant professional qualification, e.g. nursing, or other professional allied to medicine.
• Dip SW or relevant mental health profession.
• Membership of professional body.
• Band 5
• Relevant professional qualification e.g. nursing, psychologist, psychotherapist, family therapist, or other allied health professional.
• Appropriate statutory professional body registration.
• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties.
• Maintains a portfolio of CPD in line with regulatory body standards.

Desirable

• Band 6
• Post Registration qualification e.g. degree.
• Post graduate qualification in mental health (e.g. CBT, Family Therapy, Counselling).
• A teaching and assessing qualification.
• Band 5
• Training and experience relating to specialist CAMHS.
• Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.

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).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Band 6
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Commitment to multi-agency approach.
• Ability to work and make decisions under pressure.
• Calm, confident, innovative, creative and assertive.
• Clarity of decision making.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in accordance with changing service priorities.
• Commitment to challenging discrimination and improving accessibility of services.
• Ability to cope calmly in a crisis.
• To demonstrate good self care and encourage the same in team members.
• 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).
• Band 5
• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to role.
• Ability to utilise reflective practice and supervision to ensure able to work with complex young people in delivering both generic and forensic assessment and interventions whilst maintain own wellbeing.
• Ability to comply with restrictions of the secure environment
• Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation and with patients and their carers.
• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Has a strong degree of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct based on a culture of equality and fairness.
• 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).

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).