Community Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Community Mental Health Practitioner to manage a caseload of patients with mental health disorders. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, effective communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously within a supportive team. This role offers flexibility for full or part-time schedules and requires travel to patient locations within the community.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in mental health settings preferred.
• Registration with a professional body is required.
• Experience supporting students in practice is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of patients with functional and organic disorders.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary work within community mental health services.
• Communicate sensitive information effectively.

Skills

Trained mental health nurse

Occupational therapist

Social worker

Interest in older person’s mental health

Job description

Overview

Community Mental Health Practitioner role with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. Closing date: 01 October 2025.

You will be a trained mental health nurse, occupational therapist or social worker with an interest in older person’s mental health, or a newly qualified mental health nurse seeking a community post with a clear 12‑month progression pathway to band 6. The Oakley House OPCMHTs team is seeking the right person to join this well-established, supportive team. The Community Mental Health team provides recovery‑focused treatment plans for people aged 65 and over with severe mental illness or organic mental ill health.

Responsibilities include managing a caseload of patients with a mix of functional and organic disorders and delivering a comprehensive, accessible and responsive mental health service to patients and their families. The role is full or part time (Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00) covering the Wareham and Purbeck locality; part‑time or job share will be considered. You will be based at Oakley House in Wimborne and will need a valid driving licence and use of a car to travel to assess and monitor patients in their homes and in other community or inpatient settings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of patients with functional and organic disorders, delivering recovery‑focused care to individuals and families.
• Contribute to effective multidisciplinary working within the community mental health service and liaise with community, primary, and other secondary/tertiary services to provide holistic care.
• Communicate effectively in verbal and written form in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information; employ de‑escalation, mediation, resolution and Duty of Candour.
• Evaluate care and take appropriate action to improve quality standards through clinical audit.

Qualifications and Experience

• Knowledge: Previous experience/interest in the specialty; registration with a professional body; experience supporting students in practice.
• Job‑specific experience: Experience developing programmes of care for individuals or groups and knowledge of various therapeutic interventions used in secondary care.
• Job‑specific: Ability to work autonomously while supporting the wider team.
• Business Travel: Able to travel on Trust business using own vehicle, subject to Equality Act provisions.
• Additional Requirements: Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English sufficient to carry out all duties.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to disclosure requirements.

About us

We are committed to empowering people to make the most of their lives through joined‑up healthcare services. We are an inclusive, diverse workplace, and we celebrate equality of opportunity across our 7,000‑strong workforce.

Contact

For further details or to arrange an informal visit please contact [e-mail] or call 01202 639560.