Band 6 Specialist Intensive Practitioner - Bristol

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider in Bristol seeks a committed Band 6 Specialist Practitioner for a 12-month fixed contract. This role involves autonomous emergency assessments and delivering intensive specialist interventions to individuals in crisis. Candidates should possess a relevant degree, current professional registration, and substantial experience in mental health services. The position offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development, making a tangible difference in service users' lives.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlements

Regular supervision

Satisfying work/life balance

Qualifications

• Demonstrates substantial post-registration experience in frontline adult mental health services.
• Experience in various settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive mental-health assessments.
• Work autonomously on emergency assessments and interventions.
• Develop and maintain partnership working with other services.

Skills

Highly developed verbal communication skills

Ability to deliver therapeutic interventions

Education

Diploma level/degree in a relevant health/social care profession

Current relevant registration with the NMC or HCPC

Job description

Job Summary

Are you empathetic, motivated and committed to improving the experiences of our service users? Bristol is a high performing, well‑established locality. The North Bristol Crisis Service is recruiting a committed and passionate Band 6 Specialist Practitioner on a 12‑month fixed contract.

We are a diverse, multi‑disciplinary team providing high‑quality person‑centred care to service users at risk of psychiatric admission.

This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with trust policy, all newly qualified social workers will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within two years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case the period may be extended for a further two years.

On successful completion of the ASYE you will receive full support from an experienced Social Worker, the Divisional Social Work Lead and peer support from other ASYE candidates. You will then be eligible to progress to a Band 6 position or, if appointed to an advertised Band 6 role, an automatic progression will follow confirmation of your successful completion.

Main Duties

The post holder will work autonomously to undertake emergency assessments in a wide range of locations and plan and deliver defined, intensive, specialist interventions in line with the CPA framework for people with severe and enduring mental‑health needs who may be distressed and in crisis.

Where appropriate the post holder will work alongside other services to plan, deliver and review effective "wrap‑around" intensive interventions to manage risk and prevent hospital admission for those with the most complex needs.

This role will require working rotational shift patterns, including nights.

We offer a satisfying work/life balance, generous holiday entitlements, regular supervision and the chance to make a real difference to somebody's life while working in a friendly, supportive team.

Job Responsibilities

In a wide range of situations and locations you will undertake the full range of activities required to deliver comprehensive mental‑health assessment in an emergency for service users who may be distressed and in crisis.

• The use of standardised assessment tools (e.g. Cluster Allocation Support Tool (CAST), KGV, Recovery Star)
• History, strengths and aspirations
• Mental state
• Impact of culture and diversity
• Functional needs
• Needs of family and carer
• Evaluation of risk
• Physical health
• Complicating factors
• Identifying and ensuring specialist involvement where required
• Interventions and treatments required to enable positive change
• Social care
• Safeguarding and public protection
• Capacity under the Mental Capacity Act

To be responsible for developing, delivering and reviewing comprehensive and complex treatment programmes using appropriate frameworks in line with evidence‑based practice, including strategies to manage risk for service users with complex needs and carers, bringing in other resources as required.

To plan, deliver and evaluate defined, specialist therapeutic interventions as indicated in the assessment process, in line with personal recovery plans, including to service users who may be on other caseloads.

To deliver a range of defined activities/interventions to improve the carers' ability to support the service user and to enable them in their relationship with the service user.

To develop and maintain good partnership working with other services throughout all treatment episodes, including regular liaison with the Primary Health Care Team, inpatient and intensive services, day services, voluntary sector and with nominated carers/advocates.

In collaboration with service users and carers, to facilitate the development of comprehensive crisis plans, rapid access plans, advance statements etc., involving other agencies such as primary care where appropriate.

To personally build and lead others to build hope‑inspiring relationships with service users, acknowledging each person's journey and focusing on strengths and aspirations to allow the creation of meaningful personal recovery plans.

To maintain own workload, as well as plan the workload of others on a day‑to‑day basis, ensuring time is prioritised effectively, utilising electronic resources such as diaries/scheduling.

To protect individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, including working with others on the planning, development and review of protection plans.

To coordinate and undertake protective interventions that may be required in the protection of others, as outlined in the protection plan, taking individual action where indicated.

To undertake active clinical leadership and supervision within the team, covering for the manager and colleagues as required.

To maintain the single health and social care record, ensuring both paper and electronic records are kept up to date in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

To report and record within agreed timeframes all activity relating to information reporting and performance requirements.

To participate in management, caseload and clinical supervision in accordance with trust policy.

To provide mentoring/training for others in relevant practice areas, according to professional requirements, taking a collaborative approach to practice development and evidence‑based care, and to support students’ learning objectives and assessments.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Registration

• Diploma level/degree in a relevant health/social care profession (e.g. RMN, OT, Social Worker)
• Current relevant registration with the NMC or HCPC and commitment to CPD.

Desirable Qualifications

• Relevant post‑registration qualifications such as Thorn, Non‑Medical Prescribing, CBT, AMHP, Brief Interventions, etc.

Experience

• Demonstrates substantial post‑registration experience gained working in a range of frontline adult mental‑health services, undertaking assessment and delivering interventions.
• Experience gained in a wide variety of settings (desirable).

Skills

• Highly developed verbal communication skills, able to engage effectively with people at all levels even when a more assertive approach is needed.
• Ability to deliver a range of therapeutic interventions (CBT, Psychosocial interventions, Family Interventions, DBT approaches).

Legal and Safety Requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applications will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check to assess any previous criminal convictions.

Sponsorship and Registration

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled‑Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Gloucester House, Dorian Way, Bristol, BS10 5NB

Employer Website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/