Community Mental Health Practitioner

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Wareham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust in Wareham is seeking a Community Mental Health Practitioner to join the Purbeck Community Mental Health Team. You will manage a dedicated caseload of patients with Serious Mental Illness, delivering person-centred, evidence-based interventions to support recovery within an MDT.

The post offers permanent employment at 37.5 hours per week, with DBS check paid by the Trust and a focus on developing clinical skills and advanced practice within a

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Nurse / Occupational Therapist / Social Worker with current registration.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Experience in community mental health settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver targeted interventions to aid recovery and wellbeing.
• If registered nurse, rostered to the Depot Clinic and contribute to Clozaril Clinic management.
• Lead and mentor junior staff and contribute to induction and training.
• Maintain links with Inpatient and Crisis Services and ensure effective aftercare communication.

Skills

Mental health nursing

Occupational therapy

Social work

Education

NMC registration or equivalent

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 02 November 2026

Are you an innovative, creative, and motivated professional looking for your next challenge? We have an exciting opportunity to join our well-established Purbeck Community Mental Health Team.

As a Mental Health Practitioner, you will manage a dedicated caseload of patients with Serious Mental Illness, providing person-centred, evidence-based interventions to support their recovery. You will have a working knowledge of current biopsychosocial models of care and a passion for promoting optimum health and wellbeing.

We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach. You will receive regular clinical and peer supervision, with ample opportunities to develop your skills in evidence-based psychological therapies and advanced nursing practice. It is a particularly exciting time to join us, as we are currently implementing a major transformation plan across Dorset HealthCare.

• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
• Location: Wareham Hospital, Streche Road, Wareham

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Main duties of the job

You will work within our integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which includes Consultant Psychiatrists, Nurses, Therapists, Social Workers, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Support Time Recovery Workers, Employment Specialist, Access Wellbeing Co-ordintors, a Physical Health Worker, and our Psychology Team.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Clinical Care: Delivering targeted interventions to aid recovery and wellbeing.
• Nursing Specialisms: If you are a Registered Nurse, you will be rostered to the Depot Clinic, assist with phlebotomy (if trained), and contribute to the management of the Clozaril Clinic.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Acting as a mentor and assisting with the induction and training of new staff.
• Communication: Maintaining effective links with our Inpatient and Crisis Services, ensuring seamless aftercare for discharged patients and clear communication with families and visitors.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [e-mail]

Business Travel

• Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Role Specific

• Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care; Risk assessment and management; Proven communication skills (written and oral)

Knowledge; skills and training

• Registered Mental Nurse / Occupational Therapist/Social Worker; valid registration with NMC or equivalent body; Evidence of continuous professional development

Job Specific

• The ability to prioritise and meet deadlines; organise work of self and others; supervising, teaching and assessing; self-motivated with the ability to motivate others; effective resource management;
• Uses initiative and can make decisions. Manages difficult situations effectively.
• Skills in managing complex cases.
• Works well in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Competent computer skills, experience inputting information on RIO
• Awareness of Primary Care and Steps to Wellbeing.
• Able to organise and co-ordinate services during the absence of more senior staff.
• Knowledge of clinical Governance and a commitment to clinical supervision.
• Extensive post graduate experience in working in community mental health.
• Inter-agency working.

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.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust