Community Mental Health Practitioner

The Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) for older people work with adults aged 65 and over who are experiencing moderate or severe mental illness. The CMHT's assess, treat, monitor, and support patients and their families predominately in their own homes and, where necessary, can refer to other teams such as the Intensive Dementia Service (IDS) or Home Treatment Team. They can also arrange admissions to hospital when necessary. The CMHT's also provide an 'in-reach service', providing specialist support and assessments for patients' admitted to Community Hospitals.

The CMHT'S consist of Psychiatrists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Support, Time & Recovery Workers, Assistant Practitioners, Clinical Psychologists, and administration support. The CMHT's are also part of a bigger team known as the Integrated Team which bring together CMHT's, District Nursing Teams and Integrated Rehabilitation Teams.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will deliver a high quality, comprehensive mental health service for older adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties in: Older Person's Mental Health Specialist Care Settings, the Community, for those under the Memory Assessment Service and the Therapeutic Group setting. The role involves managing a defined caseload with a focus on working with individuals and their significant others who experience a complex range of needs and difficulties. Acting as a key member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team, the post holder will provide assessment and psychosocial, evidence-based interventions using a collaborative approach and will be skilled at positive risk management. Liaison with a wide range of agencies is central to the role.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• Strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
• Access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will be based in the Older Person's Community Mental Health team bases in Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.
• They will have a caseload of Older People experiencing Mental Health difficulties.
• They will take on the role of key worker for clients.
• They may complete Memory Assessments.
• The post holder will have access to regular clinical supervision from a band 7 Nurse/OT.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Current registration with relevant professional body i.e. NMC/HCPC
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Experience of facilitating supervision and appraisal
• Experience of mentorship role

Experience

• Ability to carry out assessments and psycho-social interventions.
• Knowledge of mental health and community care legislation and policy
• Knowledge and experience of a range of motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy and psychological therapy (i.e. CBT/CAT)
• Experience as a Band 5 or equivalent Mental Health Professional

Additional Criteria

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
• Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
• Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence and have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the trust to meet the needs of the service.

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.