Job summary
We have an excellent opportunity for aSpecialist EIP Mental Health Practitionerto join an enthusiastic and passionate multi-disciplinary team who work creatively to support young people and adults (14-65 years old) experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
The Somerset Team For Early Psychosis (STEP)provide assessment, case management, in reach, outreach, psychoeducation and liaison for people with first episode psychosis in the locality in order to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis.
National drivers support the implementation of Early Intervention in Psychosis Services and you will be involved in supporting STEP staff to deliver the Early Intervention Access and Waiting Time standards which includes timely assessment and delivery of a NICE concordant package of care.
This is a full-time position, working Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, based in Yeovil covering the South Somerset locality.
Main duties of the job
You will be working with a developing service which is challenging the traditional boundaries placed by the differentiation between primary and secondary care, with the ethos of 'no wrong door'. We are an innovative Trust and this post will be well suited to someone who is interesting in improving services, to deliver effective and compassionate care.
You will act as an initial point of contact, triaging referrals for people with first episode psychosis in the area and to provide specialist advice in relation to the care of people with psychosis and their families/carers. This may involve the provision of information/advice regarding psychosis, its management and pathways into mental health and related services.
You will provide a specialist community outreach service for people with suspected psychosis who may have difficulties engaging with primary or secondary care and their families. This will require highly developed persuasive, motivational, empathic and reassurance skills due to the lack of understanding/insight commonly associated with psychotic symptomatology in the client group.
About us
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Acting as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team, you will provide effective holistic assessment and psychosocial, evidence-based interventions using a collaborative, recovery approach.
You will be confident with positive risk management.
Liaison with a wide range of agencies is central to the role.
Alongside these core skills, you will have the opportunity to deliver brief psychological interventions. We also offer additional training in order to deliver family interventions . There will also be opportunities to develop skills in non-medical prescribing and other areas, as appropriate to your needs and interests.
Please see the attached job description for full duties.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Acting as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team, you will provide effective holistic assessment and psychosocial, evidence-based interventions using a collaborative, recovery approach.
You will be confident with positive risk management.
Liaison with a wide range of agencies is central to the role.
Alongside these core skills, you will have the opportunity to deliver brief psychological interventions. We also offer additional training in order to deliver family interventions . There will also be opportunities to develop skills in non-medical prescribing and other areas, as appropriate to your needs and interests.
Please see the attached job description for full duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
- Current registration with relevant professional body
- Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
- Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
- Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
Desirable
- Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
- Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives.
- Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
- Act in a ways that support equality and diversity.
- Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.
- * Able to carry out evidence based interventions.
- * Be a role model to Support, Time and Recovery workers.
- * Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- * Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
- * Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- * Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
- * Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- * Ability to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team.
- * Ability to work autonomously and independently.
- * Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
- * Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
- * High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- * Ability to work in partnership with other agencies.
- Willingness to lead groups.
- * Experience of multidisciplinary working in a community setting.
- ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENT SKILLS
- Awareness of clinical audit, research and quality improvement for Early Intervention in Psychosis services.
- Awareness of national guidance and policy that directs our service delivery.
- Good awareness of Clinical Governance for our services.
- PHYSICAL SKILLS
- Required to spend a considerable period of a working day in front of a VDU.
- Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role.
- Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
- OTHER
- *Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
- Current registration with relevant professional body
- Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
- Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
- Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
Desirable
- Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
- Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives.
- Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
- Act in a ways that support equality and diversity.
- Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
- * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.
- * Able to carry out evidence based interventions.
- * Be a role model to Support, Time and Recovery workers.
- * Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- * Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
- * Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- * Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
- * Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- * Ability to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team.
- * Ability to work autonomously and independently.
- * Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
- * Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
- * High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- * Ability to work in partnership with other agencies.
- Willingness to lead groups.
- * Experience of multidisciplinary working in a community setting.
- ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENT SKILLS
- Awareness of clinical audit, research and quality improvement for Early Intervention in Psychosis services.
- Awareness of national guidance and policy that directs our service delivery.
- Good awareness of Clinical Governance for our services.
- PHYSICAL SKILLS
- Required to spend a considerable period of a working day in front of a VDU.
- Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role.
- Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
- OTHER
- *Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
