Mental Health Practitioner

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking two Band 6 Mental Health Team Leaders to join their dynamic Mental Health Team at HMP Woodhill. This role offers the chance to make a tangible impact on healthcare needs in secure environments, working within a multi-disciplinary team. You will assess mental health needs, provide interventions, and facilitate referrals, all while managing caseloads autonomously. The organization promotes career development and offers a supportive environment for outstanding individuals passionate about health and justice. If you thrive in challenging settings and are motivated to deliver high standards of care, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Career Development Opportunities

MyTrustBenefits Portal

Online Courses

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RMN) with mentorship qualifications and ongoing professional development.
• Significant post-registration experience in multi-disciplinary teams and community work.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage risks in the early days of custody for prisoners.
• Collaborate with the Primary Care team for holistic health care.

Skills

Engagement Skills

Risk Assessment

Communication Skills

IT Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Registered Nurse (RMN)

Mentorship or Supervisor Qualification

Post-registration Qualifications (CBT, DBT)

Job description

Job Overview

An exciting opportunity is available within the CNWL Health and Justice Service.

In order to focus on the high risk ‘Early Days in Custody’, we are recruiting two more team members for our growing Mental Health Team at HMP Woodhill.

We are seeking two Band 6 Mental Health Team Leaders to join the multi-disciplinary Integrated Mental Health Team. If you thrive on new challenges, enjoy dynamic environments, and are passionate about Health and Justice, you might be the perfect fit for our developing team.

Joining our Prisons Healthcare Team means you will address healthcare needs in secure environments and have a tangible impact on promoting health and well-being. Our services operate on a 7-day work model to ensure high standards of patient care at all times.

Discover what our staff say about working in our award-winning teams: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/health-and-justice/find-out-what-its-work-health-and-justice

Main duties of the job

1. Play a key role in the multi-agency focus on early days in custody, assessing and managing risk with prison colleagues.
2. Work within a multi-disciplinary team to assess mental health needs, provide interventions, and facilitate referrals through outpatient clinics, inpatient units, and prison wings.
3. Work autonomously and as part of the wider team, managing caseloads and responding to emergency referrals.
4. Collaborate with the Primary Care team to deliver holistic physical and mental health care.

Working for our organisation

We seek outstanding individuals willing to support our patients and colleagues, with opportunities for career development across diverse mental health and community services.

Our staff benefit from MyTrustBenefits, an online portal offering discounts and free online courses on various topics.

As an NHS Trust, we encourage vaccination to protect staff, patients, and service users.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Assess and manage risks in the ‘Early Days in Custody’ of prisoners.
• Assess and treat patients throughout their journey in prison.
• Accept referrals, triage patients, and provide comprehensive assessments.
• Manage caseloads following the Care Programme Approach in collaboration with the team and external services.
• Coordinate pre-release care planning.

Person Specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential: Registered Nurse (RMN), Mentorship or supervisor qualification, evidence of ongoing professional development.

Desirable: Post-registration qualifications such as CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.

Previous Experience

Essential: Significant post-registration experience, experience in multi-disciplinary teams, mentoring, supervising, care coordination, and community work.

Desirable: Experience in prison or forensic settings.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential: Engagement skills, risk assessment, excellent communication and IT skills, ability to work independently and in teams, knowledge of relevant legislation and frameworks, problem-solving, and clinical governance.

Attitudes and Personal Characteristics

Essential: Motivation for high standards, compassion, non-judgmental attitude, flexibility.