Community Mental Health Assistant Practitioner

NHS Highland; Fort William; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Highland Lochaber is seeking a compassionate Community Mental Health Assistant Practitioner (Band 4) to join the Lochaber team. You will support mental health care in community settings, assisting with assessments, delivering delegated interventions and helping individuals achieve recovery and wellbeing.

Under supervision, you will work within agreed care plans, coordinate with families and partner agencies, and contribute to audit and data collection.

Qualifications

• Experience in health, social care or mental health settings.
• Work within guidelines with supervision.
• Strong communication and person-centred approach.
• Able to deliver interventions within care plans.
• Understanding of mental health, recovery and risk.
• Teamwork in a multidisciplinary setting.

Responsibilities

• Support assessments using defined tools and protocols.
• Deliver rehabilitation and re-ablement interventions.
• Assist in setting and reviewing recovery goals.
• Monitor progress and report risks to staff.
• Support discharge planning and relapse prevention.
• Facilitate group interventions and health promotion.
• Collaborate with families, carers and partners.
• Maintain records and contribute to audits.
• Support Healthcare Support Workers and team learning.

Skills

Health care setting

Guidelines with supervision

Communication skills

Deliver interventions

Mental health recovery

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

SCQF Level 7 / HNC

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a compassionate and motivated Community Mental Health Assistant Practitioner (Band 4) to join the Community Mental Health Team in Lochaber.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference to people experiencing acute and severe mental health difficulties while living in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. With mountains, lochs and coastline on your doorstep, Lochaber is ideal for those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, offering opportunities for walking, cycling, climbing, water sports and a strong sense of community.

Role Overview

Working under the guidance and supervision of registered practitioners, you will support the delivery of high-quality mental health care in community settings. You will contribute to assessment, deliver delegated interventions, and support individuals to achieve recovery, independence and improved wellbeing.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the assessment of individuals using defined tools and agreed protocols
• Deliver a range of rehabilitation and re-ablement interventions within agreed care plans
• Work in partnership with individuals to set and review achievable goals
• Monitor progress and report changes or emerging risks to registered staff
• Support relapse prevention, discharge planning and recovery-focused care
• Facilitate group interventions and contribute to health promotion activities
• Participate in MDT working, including triage and referral processes
• Work collaboratively with families, carers and partner agencies
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to audit and data collection
• Support HCSWs and contribute to team learning and development

Essential Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Experience working in a health, social care or mental health setting
• Ability to work within defined guidelines with support and supervision
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with a person-centred approach
• Ability to deliver interventions and support care plans within agreed frameworks
• Understanding of mental health, recovery principles and risk awareness
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team

Essential Qualifications

• SCQF Level 7 qualification (e.g. HNC) or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development

Why Join NHS Highland Lochaber?

• Live and work in a stunning outdoor environment
• Access to world-class walking, climbing, cycling, skiing and water sports
• Be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team
• Opportunities for training, development and career progression
• Deliver care that truly makes a difference in your community

If you are passionate about mental health and motivated to support recovery in a community setting, we would welcome your application.

A full current driving licence to drive in the UK is an essential requirement of the post.

Informal enquiries to:

Kirsty Alston, Mental Health Team Lead, email:

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through .