Community Mental Health Practitioner

Louder Than Words; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A community health services provider in Plymouth is seeking a registered mental health practitioner to join their Home Treatment team. The role involves conducting assessments, providing clinical support during mental health crises, and working within a multidisciplinary environment. Candidates should hold a relevant mental health qualification and have significant experience in community mental health. The service aims to prevent unnecessary admissions and facilitate early discharges, offering flexible working patterns.

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience with people with complex mental ill health.
• Ability to complete complex community mental health assessments.
• Experience as a care coordinator/Home Treatment/Crisis worker.

Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic bio-psychosocial assessments.
• Provide a consultation-liaison service to clinicians.
• Offer urgent mental health assessments at convenient locations.

Skills

Clinical decision-making

Complex community mental health assessments

Crisis intervention skills

Positive risk management

Education

RMN/Dip HE/BSc Mental Health Nursing

RGN/Dip HE/BSc Registered Nurse

Occupational Therapy Degree

Social Work Degree

Paramedic Science Degree/BSc/Dip HE

Job description

Overview

Up to 37.5 hours per week but part time hours also available. Plymouth Home Treatment team are seeking a registered mental health practitioner. We welcome applications from people with older adult experience (including dementia), acute mental health experience, or from other health sectors with transferable skills. The postholder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team taking referrals, conducting bio-psychosocial assessments and providing treatment interventions for patients aged 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This includes managing and administering medication and ensuring physical checks are routinely conducted. Good risk assessment and formulation are vital. Some autonomous working may be required. The Home Treatment team is a 24/7 service established in Plymouth for over 20 years, aimed at preventing unnecessary admissions and facilitating early or prompt discharges from Livewell’s inpatient wards.

We are recruiting an exceptional mental health practitioner (from any eligible professional background) to join our growing team. We are interested in candidates with a commitment to helping people remain at home during illness and with a positive can-do attitude.

Main duties/Responsibilities

• Typically 3 twelve-hour shifts per week, with occasional shorter shifts to make up hours. Part-time and flexible patterns may be available; contact us to discuss.
• Receive and triage referrals for the Home Treatment Team.
• Undertake holistic bio-psychosocial assessments of patients referred to the service.
• Utilise a range of highly specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of patients and the home/clinical setting.
• Match patient need with available skills and resources; work closely with peer support workers and volunteers to enhance patient experience.
• Provide a consultation-liaison service to clinicians and clinical teams referring to the home treatment team, including specialist advice on care, treatment and patient management issues.
• Be part of a multidisciplinary team providing same-day responses or signposting during mental health crises.
• Provide skilled telephone advice to referrers, patients and carers; offer telephone-based support to contain a crisis and avoid escalation.
• Offer urgent mental health assessments at locations convenient for the patient (home, GP surgery, or Emergency Department).
• Identify the most appropriate intervention, with emphasis on positive risk management, and refer as necessary.
• Role may require working across a 7-day service.

About Us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services in Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon. Our teams work in community settings and centres with a focus on kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility and collaboration.

Essential responsibilities and standards

Demonstrate clear clinical decision-making based on complex presentations; make onward care plans for patients in crisis. Perform comprehensive assessments, provide and review care plans with patients and carers, and ensure informed consent. Maintain high standards of clinical care and integrity in communication. Use IT systems effectively and have knowledge of Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Provide nursing care and other interventions as appropriate to the patient’s needs. Make emergency judgments and decisions as required.

Qualifications and Registration

Essential

• One of the following: RMN/Dip HE/BSc Mental Health Nursing (NMC Registration) or RGN/Dip HE/BSc Registered Nurse (NMC Registration) or Occupational Therapy Degree (HCPC) or Social Work Degree (HCPC) or Paramedic Science Degree/BSc/Dip HE (HCPC)

Desirable

• Post-qualification mental health training, clinical supervision, governance or leadership qualifications; non-medical prescriber or willingness to work towards this; culturally competent practice.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Significant post-registration experience with people with complex mental ill health in the community, including alcohol/drug misuse; experience as a care coordinator/Home Treatment/Crisis worker; ability to complete complex community mental health assessments and signpost appropriately; relapse prevention and recovery principles; experience with high distress levels.

Desirable

• Experience providing clinical supervision/mentoring, working in acute inpatient units, older adults, offenders, community mental health settings; service development experience; post-graduate training; collaboration with psychologists or MH professionals; staff supervision experience.

Other

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are required. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and may require a Disclosure submission. UK Skilled Worker sponsorship information is available; applicants must have current UK professional registration. Employer details: Livewell Southwest, 200 Mount Gould Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7PY. Website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/