Community Mental Health Practitioner

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service provider in Bridgwater is looking for an enthusiastic practitioner to join their Community Mental Health Team for a 12-month secondment. The role offers a supportive team environment focused on helping adults with mental health challenges. Responsibilities include managing a caseload, delivering high-quality interventions, and promoting recovery. Candidates must hold a relevant qualification, have experience in community mental health, and possess excellent communication skills. A driving license is required for patient visits.

Benefits

Flexible working

Market-leading annual leave allowance

Pension contributions

NHS exclusive discounts

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist qualification is required.
• Current registration with the relevant professional body.
• Evidence of post-qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality interventions to individuals with complex needs.
• Build purposeful therapeutic relationships with service users.
• Provide specialist input into assessments, recovery planning, and crisis management.

Skills

Therapeutic relationship building

Crisis management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification

Job description

An exciting opportunity for a 12 month secondment has arisen within our Community Mental Health Service to work within our Bridgwater team. We are looking for an enthusiastic practitioner (Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) who is keen to be part of the exciting transformation of Mental Health Services in Somerset.

Are you looking for the next step in your career or thinking about moving to community mental health from the wards, but wanting to 'dip your toe in the water' before you commit?

Our team respond rapidly to the needs of adults needing mental health advice and support. The team is established, supportive, knowledgeable and above all passionate about what they do!

We are a supportive, compassionate multi-disciplinary service where every person is an integral part of the team.

"Working as part of the Community Mental Health team, is one of the most rewarding roles I have undertaken. Every day is different -- it is interesting, challenging and I love being able to make a difference. From the moment I started, I felt relaxed and included."

As part of our Community Mental Health Team, you can take part (or not) in team days/nights out, sweep stakes and 'secret Santa', as well as other activities - we're always open to suggestions!

Main duties of the job

• Our Community Mental Health Team is a Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm service, so no weekend working required; office hours only!
• You will manage a rolling caseload of patients allocated to you where you will monitor their mental state, promote independence, promote social inclusion, aid the recovery process, and reduce hospital admissions.
• You will work in collaboration with the Operational Team Manager, Clinical Leads/ Practitioners and have close working relationships with the community teams, inpatient services, and the home treatment team across the service.
• You will need a full driving licence with permanent access to own transport with appropriate business insurance; this is so that you may carry out patient visits - you are able to claim expenses.
• To help you achieve the above we will offer you:
• Mentoring and supervision from our highly experienced staff and team leaders supporting you with your development and growth into the role
• Commitment from the team to develop you by offering coaching and role-specific training opportunities such as Leadership programmes, CBT, DBT and more
• Opportunities to shadow other services we work with including home treatment team, first response service, assertive outreach, STEP, Adult ADHD provision to name a few, allowing you to see the full circle of treatment for our patients
• Clear objectives and pathway to develop your career further.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!

Job responsibilities

You will hold a professional qualification and registration as a Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker, with post-qualification experience in community mental health. A key aspect of this role is the ability to balance independent practice with strong team collaboration.

The role will involve:

Delivering high quality interventions to individuals with complex needs, supporting their recovery and independence.

Building purposeful therapeutic relationships with service users, helping them to identify strengths and build resilience.

Providing specialist input into assessments, recovery planning, crisis management and safeguarding.

Communicating highly complex and sensitive information clearly and appropriately, including at multidisciplinary meetings and safeguarding forums.

Promoting innovation in practice and contributing to service development, audit and quality improvement.

Offering supervision and mentorship to junior colleagues, students and support staff.

Deputising for the Team Manager when required, ensuring smooth running of team activity.

Upholding Trust values of kindness, respect and teamwork, while maintaining the highest professional standards.

This is a rewarding and varied role where you will make a real difference in the lives of adults experiencing mental health difficulties, while being part of a compassionate and inclusive team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
• Current registration with relevant professional body
• Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Experience

• Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
• Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
• Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
• Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of mental health difficulties.

Additional Criteria

• Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skillsExcellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance.Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role.

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.