Community Practitioner

NHS; Ashington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a qualified mental health nurse to join their Northumberland Psychiatric Liaison Team. The role involves conducting mental health assessments and providing education to hospital staff, requiring travel across various sites. The team operates a 7-day service, promoting staff wellbeing with a supportive environment and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Onsite canteen

Gym facilities

Staff wellbeing areas

Bi-weekly teaching sessions

Qualifications

• 12 to 24 months of band 5 qualified nursing experience required.
• Experience working within a community team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health and risk assessments.
• Collaborate within the MDT and alongside the acute trust.
• Respond promptly to referrals within national waiting time targets.

Skills

Communication

Clinical Leadership

Assessment

Education

Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD)

Post-registration training in clinical/psychological interventions

Job description

Community Practitioner

Closing date: 27 May 2025

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, and confident qualified mental health nurse to join the Northumberland Psychiatric Liaison Team for older adults.

Our team is based at Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, and various other sites within Northumberland.

The successful candidate will provide mental health assessments, liaison interventions, and education to acute hospital staff. The role is based at Wansbeck Hospital but requires travel to community hospitals within the hospital's catchment area, including NSECH and other Northumberland community hospitals.

We operate a 7-day service, which staff have reported as beneficial for wellbeing due to increased time away from the work environment.

Main duties of the role

• Conduct mental health and risk assessments, including safety planning, following referrals from emergency departments or wards across Northumbria Healthcare inpatient services.
• Collaborate within our MDT and alongside the acute trust.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with patients, carers, families, and other health and social care professionals.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented, and caring workforce capable of meeting the demands of the modern NHS. We offer a dynamic environment for career development.

Our facilities include onsite canteens, gyms, and staff wellbeing areas. The team benefits from bi-weekly teaching sessions, a dedicated Consultant Psychiatrist for older adults, Nurse Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and supportive Clinical Leadership.

Job responsibilities

• Respond promptly to referrals within national waiting time targets.
• Formulate comprehensive mental health assessments and biopsychosocial risk assessments.
• Refer to the attached job description for full details.
• Work in a rota covering weekends at NSECH, with shifts from 8 am to 6 pm.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD), AHP, Social Worker, or Clinical Psychologist with current registration.
• Post-registration training in clinical/psychological interventions.
• Proven clinical experience post-registration.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Post-registration qualifications in psychological interventions (preferred).
• Experience working within a community team.

Knowledge and Experience

• Understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards, and related initiatives.
• 12 to 24 months of band 5 qualified nursing experience, depending on service needs.
• Experience managing challenging behaviors.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments of complex mental health needs.
• Identify treatment options aligned with NICE guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Clinical leadership skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service

This role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required prior to appointment.