Job summary
The Older Person's Mental Health work with adults aged 65 and over who are experiencing moderate or severe mental illness. The CMHT's assess, treat, monitor and support patients and their families predominately in their own homes and, where necessary, can refer to other teams such as the Intensive Dementia Service (IDS) or Home Treatment Team. They can also arrange admissions to hospital when necessary. The CMHT's also provide an 'in-reach service', providing specialist support and assessments for patients' admitted to Community Hospitals.
The Dementia Assessment and Support Service assess for and diagnose dementia, offering post diagnostic support in the form of a follow up session, onward referrals to other services, prescription of medications and monitoring where appropriate.
The Therapeutic Group service offer a variety of post diagnostic groups for those diagnosed with a dementia, including Living Well with Dementia and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
The OPMH services consist of Community Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Community Support Workers, Assistant Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioners and admin support.
Main duties of the job
Working with all cases, a warm, sensitive and stimulating environment needs to be created and you will need to demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team. Flexibility is a key quality and you must be able to respond to clients in an appropriate manner. You will have good communication skills relating with clients and the carers, and be able to demonstrate an ability to understand their needs and where possible, be able to help the carers. You will be required to visit clients in their homes, so it is essential you have a driving licence and access to a vehicle. You will also have some specific administration responsibilities therefore IT skills would be an advantage.
We are a dynamic and dedicated team, committed to our staff as well as our clients. There will be opportunity for development, with regular supervision, educational sessions within the team and access to further training
The hours are primarily 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday but there is potential for flexibility. The team's hubs are based in the Mulberry Centre and Glanville House. You will be expected to work across both areas to cover the Sedgemoor Neighbourhood area.
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
- Maintains open communication with other members of staff within the team.
- Maintains good relationships with colleagues within the Partnership, Local Authority, clients, their relatives and the general public.
- Liaises with internal and external agencies, statutory, non-statutory, voluntary agencies.
- Participates and contributes in client reviews and care planning reviews with other professionals.
- As well as relating to older people within CMHT, you will, need to be able to demonstrate an ability to understand their needs and where possible, be able to help the carers.
- Maintains open communication with other members of staff within the team.
- Maintains good relationships with colleagues within the Partnership, Local Authority, clients, their relatives and the general public.
- Liaises with internal and external agencies, statutory, non-statutory, voluntary agencies.
- Participates and contributes in client reviews and care planning reviews with other professionals.
- As well as relating to older people who are on the CMHT caseload, you will, need to be able to demonstrate an ability to understand their needs and where possible, be able to help the carers
Please refer to main job description
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Maintains open communication with other members of staff within the team.
- Maintains good relationships with colleagues within the Partnership, Local Authority, clients, their relatives and the general public.
- Liaises with internal and external agencies, statutory, non-statutory, voluntary agencies.
- Participates and contributes in client reviews and care planning reviews with other professionals.
- As well as relating to older people within CMHT, you will, need to be able to demonstrate an ability to understand their needs and where possible, be able to help the carers.
- Maintains open communication with other members of staff within the team.
- Maintains good relationships with colleagues within the Partnership, Local Authority, clients, their relatives and the general public.
- Liaises with internal and external agencies, statutory, non-statutory, voluntary agencies.
- Participates and contributes in client reviews and care planning reviews with other professionals.
- As well as relating to older people who are on the CMHT caseload, you will, need to be able to demonstrate an ability to understand their needs and where possible, be able to help the carers
Please refer to main job description
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in direct care or Community Mental Health certificate or equivalent experience (if not held already must be willing to work towards)
Experience
Essential
- An appreciation of the needs of older adults in relation to the ageing process.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards people with mental illness.
- Ability to contribute to and update identified needs within individual care plans.
- Contribute to own personal development.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of social stimulation, group work and therapeutic activities.
- Experience of working with carers/understanding of carer's needs.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Good observational and reporting skills.
- Open to guidance and instruction from team members, make changes in own practice and offer suggestions for improving services.
- Effective communication skills with colleagues at all levels within the organisation and external organisations.
- Ability to communicate with a range of professionals.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Experience of working with a group of people in a leading facilitating role
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in direct care or Community Mental Health certificate or equivalent experience (if not held already must be willing to work towards)
Experience
Essential
- An appreciation of the needs of older adults in relation to the ageing process.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards people with mental illness.
- Ability to contribute to and update identified needs within individual care plans.
- Contribute to own personal development.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of social stimulation, group work and therapeutic activities.
- Experience of working with carers/understanding of carer's needs.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Good observational and reporting skills.
- Open to guidance and instruction from team members, make changes in own practice and offer suggestions for improving services.
- Effective communication skills with colleagues at all levels within the organisation and external organisations.
- Ability to communicate with a range of professionals.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Experience of working with a group of people in a leading facilitating role
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.
