Job summary
Do you want to be part of a team improving the way adult mental health care is provided in the community? Hounslow Central Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) is a community based service supporting people's mental and physical health as well as social care needs. We work closely with the local GP practices, primary care networks, social services, voluntary sector and other organisations to provide interventions in a more collaborative way which are simpler and support joined-up, personalised treatment and care.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for mental health practitioners with a keen interest in providing outstanding support within mental health community settings. The Community Mental Health Framework represents a new approach to providing community-based integrated support, care and treatment for adults with mental health problems whatever their level of need.
Main duties of the job
The Mental Health Practitioner role involves a number of elements which will support people with mental health conditions in the new integrated mental health teams. The role is key in providing professional support to the new primary care network based teams and will provide mental and physical health support helping people to engage with their local communities and benefit from all the supports available locally. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which will cover a Primary Care Network or locality and will work across networks to form a truly innovative and ground-breaking support structure.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification in mental health - Mental Health Nursing (RMN) with current NMC registration, or registration with Social Work England for qualified social workers.
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Educated to degree or Diploma level with other courses relevant to primary care mental health services e.g. CBT, Brief Solution Focussed Therapy etc.
- RGN/physical health qualification
- Evidence of recent and on-going relevant further professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of post qualifying work in psychiatry.
- Experience of supervising junior staff within own and/or other disciplines
Desirable
- Evidence of experience in a Band 6 position or equivalent
- Other relevant post registration experience
- Audit and research experience
- Experience of teaching/training in a formal or informal setting
- Experience of working in a primary care setting/ social care/ voluntary sector
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills, psychosocial interventions
- Knowledge of recovery approaches as used with those with mental health conditions
- Ability to interpret research and apply to practice
- Specialist knowledge of mental health conditions as well as their relationship to physical disorders
- Assessment and treatment of Deliberate Self Harm
- Risk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
- Use of psychosocial assessment methods
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
- Team/self management and organisation skills that enable a number of complex activities and clinical work to be undertaken, revising and adjusting these according to the needs of individual patients and the service
- Computer literate
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to frequently work under pressure and maintain intense concentration, particularly in unpredictable situations where there will be exposure to highly distressed and/or disturbed patients, often exhibiting challenging behaviours and the risk of physical violence.
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Commitment to equal opportunities
- Ability to accept constructive feedback
- Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence when required.
- Exercise initiative, flexibility and tact and self awareness
- Willing to use peer and group supervision creatively
- Be able to work flexibly if required
Desirable
- Personal experience of a mental health condition
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification in mental health - Mental Health Nursing (RMN) with current NMC registration, or registration with Social Work England for qualified social workers.
- Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Educated to degree or Diploma level with other courses relevant to primary care mental health services e.g. CBT, Brief Solution Focussed Therapy etc.
- RGN/physical health qualification
- Evidence of recent and on-going relevant further professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of post qualifying work in psychiatry.
- Experience of supervising junior staff within own and/or other disciplines
Desirable
- Evidence of experience in a Band 6 position or equivalent
- Other relevant post registration experience
- Audit and research experience
- Experience of teaching/training in a formal or informal setting
- Experience of working in a primary care setting/ social care/ voluntary sector
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills, psychosocial interventions
- Knowledge of recovery approaches as used with those with mental health conditions
- Ability to interpret research and apply to practice
- Specialist knowledge of mental health conditions as well as their relationship to physical disorders
- Assessment and treatment of Deliberate Self Harm
- Risk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
- Use of psychosocial assessment methods
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
- Team/self management and organisation skills that enable a number of complex activities and clinical work to be undertaken, revising and adjusting these according to the needs of individual patients and the service
- Computer literate
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to frequently work under pressure and maintain intense concentration, particularly in unpredictable situations where there will be exposure to highly distressed and/or disturbed patients, often exhibiting challenging behaviours and the risk of physical violence.
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Commitment to equal opportunities
- Ability to accept constructive feedback
- Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence when required.
- Exercise initiative, flexibility and tact and self awareness
- Willing to use peer and group supervision creatively
- Be able to work flexibly if required
Desirable
- Personal experience of a mental health condition
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).
