Community Mental Health Practitioner

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to work within the Teignbridge Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Teams. The CRHTT is a pivotal county wide service that offers an alternative to inpatient admission and provides intensive treatment within the community. The service operates within locality based leadership teams to ensure effective gate keeping for all service users referred for hospital admission. Outreach is at the heart of the service, with most assessments taking place in non hospital environments. As an active member of an integrated multi disciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to a 24 hour community based Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Service available across the county as an alternative to hospital admission.

Main Duties

• Deliver timely, evidence based mental health assessments and interventions to individuals in acute distress or crisis.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide rapid response and short term support in community settings.
• Formulate risk assessments and safety plans collaboratively with service users and carers.
• Liaise with internal and external services to ensure continuity of care and appropriate onward referrals.
• Provide clinical leadership and supervision to junior staff and support workers where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Promote recovery focused, trauma informed, and person centred approaches in all aspects of care.
• Participate in rota based working, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, to ensure 24/7 service coverage.
• Uphold Trust values and contribute to a culture of compassion, inclusion, and excellence.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver and oversee treatment plans for clients open to the Crisis Resolution Team.
• Assess, manage and formulate clinical risk with each client.
• Offer crisis resolution as an alternative to hospital admission, available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
• Serve as the gatekeeper for inpatient hospital beds.
• Conduct initial in person follow up after hospital discharge.

Person Specification Essential Qualifications

• Registered professional qualification (e.g. RMN, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist) with current registration, practising with no restrictions.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.

Essential Skills

• Strong clinical assessment and risk management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team with a complex caseload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation (Mental Health Act, MCA).
• Commitment to recovery oriented and trauma informed practice.
• Ability to work flexibly across a 24/7 rota.
• Organisational skills and time management.
• Knowledge of monitoring mental health medications and consideration of interactions with physical health needs.
• Experience delivering evidence based interventions.
• Ability to produce well written reports.
• Ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• Mobile across a geographical area.
• Ability to manage change positively.

Desirable

• Familiarity with local services and pathways within the integrated care system.
• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Understanding of crisis and home treatment interventions and recovery principles in mental health.
• Knowledge of gate keeping for inpatient admissions.
• Training in psychosocial interventions (CBT, DBT informed approaches).
• Qualification in phlebotomy.
• Experience in community based teams, delivering crisis interventions, and working within home treatment teams or crisis services.

Employment Conditions

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exception Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information can be found on the NHS Careers website. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all sections of the community; part time and flexible working will be considered where possible.

Employer

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Estuary House
Collett Way
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 4PH

Employer website: