First Responder (Mental Health Practitioner)

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; Huntingdon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a full-time Mental Health First Responder. The role involves conducting assessments for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and developing effective contingency plans. Applicants should have experience in mental health services and strong communication skills. Offering a unique opportunity to work in a pioneering team providing essential support to the community.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health services preferred.
• Ability to conduct assessments and create care plans.
• Strong understanding of resources offered by external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct telephone triage and community face-to-face assessments.
• Provide brief clinical risk assessments and develop contingency plans.
• Work closely with other mental health services and local authorities.

Skills

Mental health crisis intervention

Communication skills

Clinical risk assessment

Job description

Overview

Hi, I'm Hayley, the Team Leader for the First Response Service (FRS). I initially joined the team as a First Responder, having trained as a mental health nurse. My passion for supporting individuals in mental health crises and helping them access essential care and support led me to FRS. We benefit from a fantastic and experienced multidisciplinary team, providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a full-time Mental Health First Responder within our First Response Service. We provide 24-hour access to mental health services for individuals of all ages experiencing a mental health crisis. If you join us, you will be part of a pioneering and award-winning team, working closely with community agencies such as the police, ambulance services, and local authorities to develop short-term contingency plans for those in crisis. Our shift patterns are 08:00-20:00, 11:00-23:00, and 20:00-08:00, ensuring round-the-clock support.

Responsibilities

• Conduct telephone triage and community face-to-face assessments for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Provide brief clinical risk assessments, mental health formulations, and develop short-term contingency plans for callers using 111 option 2 or referrals from other professionals.
• Work closely with other mental health services, police, ambulance services, and local authorities.
• Implement brief solution-focused interventions to empower patients, carers, and families in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Collaboratively develop safe and appropriate care plans, utilizing strong communication and assessment skills.
• Have a good understanding of the resources offered by other external agencies in order to offer people the support they require for their personal and specific needs.

About the Organisation

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life. Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

Equal Opportunities

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.