Job summary
Are you looking for a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value you and will support you alongside your training journey?This is an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Assistant Practitioner to join us in the South Somerset Community Mental Health Service as part of our multi-disciplinary Team.Supporting individuals to understand about their health, through health education and health interventions particularly in relation to managing their physical health needs.You will be allocated a college academic mentor for the duration of your programme with Bridgwater & Taunton college, who will work with both you and your line manager to identify opportunities for growth and development and you will also attend a series of workshops to support knowledge development.On successful completion of the course, we would look to you becoming a band 4 Assistant Practitioner in the team.Please note: Essential entry and eligibility requirements for the course: GCSE grade A-C or 4 or above or functional skills at Level 2 for both English and Math's, and a level 3 qualification. A UK resident or have the right to remain that has been held for the past 3 years.
Main duties of the job
Assistant Practitioners work as part of the wider health and social care team and have direct contact with patients, service users or clients providing high quality, safe and compassionate care. Assistant Practitioners work at a level above that of Healthcare Support Workers and have a more in-depth understanding about factors that influence mental illness and recovery.The Assistant Practitioner supports an identified Registered Health or Social Care Professional in monitoring, supporting and coordinating the care of a caseload of people with mental health care needs, whilst also taking on key working responsibilities for their own named clients as appropriate. The clients include those open to the Community Mental Health Service and our Medical Team.During the trainee years, the successful candidate will develop in these areas of practice, through working within the team and completing the college course, building up to working independently once deemed competent within the associated competency framework.This post will require travel across rural remote areas, therefore a UK driving licence holder with the ability and willingness to travel as per service requirements is essential.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The training programme with Bridgwater & Taunton college offers access and progression to higher academic awards or to a career pathway as an Assistant Practitioner.
Any offer is also dependant on a successful interview with the college, to be held at a later date - TBA
For those who wish to progress their studies, you may then be eligible to apply for advanced entry to a level 6 BSc (Hons) programme, for example BSc (Hons) Nursing.
You will work across all of our services which include:
Community Mental Health Team - seeing clients in their own home following an intervention plan created by the key worker.
Our Depot Clinic, Clozapine Clinic and CMHS CMHS Dr's -Supporting the physical health needs of the people who attend these clinic's under the guidance of Mental health Professionals.
Our Physical Health and Well Being Clinic - monitoring service for those prescribed antipsychotic medication. This includes taking bloods, observations and performing ECG's once trained.
Please see the attached document for full details and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The training programme with Bridgwater & Taunton college offers access and progression to higher academic awards or to a career pathway as an Assistant Practitioner.
Any offer is also dependant on a successful interview with the college, to be held at a later date - TBA
For those who wish to progress their studies, you may then be eligible to apply for advanced entry to a level 6 BSc (Hons) programme, for example BSc (Hons) Nursing.
You will work across all of our services which include:
Community Mental Health Team - seeing clients in their own home following an intervention plan created by the key worker.
Our Depot Clinic, Clozapine Clinic and CMHS CMHS Dr's -Supporting the physical health needs of the people who attend these clinic's under the guidance of Mental health Professionals.
Our Physical Health and Well Being Clinic - monitoring service for those prescribed antipsychotic medication. This includes taking bloods, observations and performing ECG's once trained.
Please see the attached document for full details and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or Grade 4 or above or functional skills level 2 in Maths or English
- Level 3 in any subject or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience Or, level 2 with a Certificate in Bridging Skills for Higher Education in Health at level 3, or equivalent
- Essential induction training and experience -- care certificate or equivalent
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a health / care setting
Experience
Essential
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- UK resident or have the right to remain in the UK and held for the past 3 years
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme.
- UK driving licence holder with the ability and willingness to travel as per service requirements
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual 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.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate. Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
- Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Intermediate IT skills.
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers. Courteous, respectful and helpful
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language
- Compassionate -- Open-minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
- Intuitive and caring nature
- Act in a way that supports equality and diversity
- 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
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
- To work as a member of the community team within a given geographical area
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or Grade 4 or above or functional skills level 2 in Maths or English
- Level 3 in any subject or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience Or, level 2 with a Certificate in Bridging Skills for Higher Education in Health at level 3, or equivalent
- Essential induction training and experience -- care certificate or equivalent
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a health / care setting
Experience
Essential
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- UK resident or have the right to remain in the UK and held for the past 3 years
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme.
- UK driving licence holder with the ability and willingness to travel as per service requirements
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual 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.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate. Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
- Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Intermediate IT skills.
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers. Courteous, respectful and helpful
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language
- Compassionate -- Open-minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
- Intuitive and caring nature
- Act in a way that supports equality and diversity
- 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
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
- To work as a member of the community team within a given geographical area
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.
