Job summary
The role of the Early Intervention Practitioner is to work in partnership with "At Risk mental state" (ARMS) and First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) service users wrapping care and treatment around hope and aspirations informing their care and recovery plans. They will demonstrate an understanding of clinical interventions evidenced based for this particular care group - including education and support, carer and family psycho-education and risk minimisation planning. The post holder will work at all times flexibly and to promote the safety and the wellbeing of service users and their families/carers. The post holder will assess, plan and implement care, and provide specialist advice.
We are seeking to recruit 1-part time for 22.5 hours a week, dynamic Band 6 Care Coordinator either a Nurse, Social Worker (SW) or Occupational Therapist (OT) based at Hammersmith and Fulham Early Intervention in Psychosis Team.
The individual must be enthusiastic, committed, compassionate and experienced with a good knowledge of the issues and guidance around working with psychosis. In addition, have some experience of working with young people and adults aged 14 to 65 years with a range of complex mental health issues.
This role would be to cover additional demands within the service.This will be ideal for staff who are looking for flexible working whilst developing their Professionals skills.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner and responsible for a defined caseload of service users by undertaking these duties:
- To undertake assessments of individuals and their families in the designated care group with complex health presentations, including those service users presenting with higher levels of risk.
- They will work alongside the service user to develop their care plan along the recovery principles.
- To offer specialist assessment and advice where required.
- To assess, manage and regular review on going risks as identified during the assessment, ensuring that this is done in collaboration with the service user and carers.
- To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
- To provide supervision of junior staff and trainees where appropriate (mentorship and preceptorship qualifications)
- To act within the relevant Code of Conduct dependent on your Registration Body.
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 & Training
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with current professional registration
- Evidence of recent and ongoing continuous professional development
Desirable
- Training in CBT-informed or psychosocial interventions
- Training or experience in family or carer work
- Relevant specialist training (e.g. CAARMS or equivalent)
- Evidence of recent or ongoing continuous professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience working in mental health services
- Experience of working within an Early Intervention in Psychosis service, or with people experiencing first episode psychosis
- Experience of holding and managing a community caseload
- Experience of care coordination under CPA or key worker arrangements within community mental health services
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management in the community
- Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies and services
Desirable
- Experience of working with younger adults or within a young-person focused service
- Experience of working with At Risk Mental State (ARMS) presentations
- Experience of providing family interventions or supporting carers
- Experience of contributing to audit, service evaluation or quality improvement activity
- Experience of supporting students or junior colleagues
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the Early Intervention in Psychosis model, including access and waiting time standards, ethos and evidence base
- Knowledge of NICE clinical guidance relevant to first episode psychosis
- Sound knowledge of mental health disorders, particularly psychosis, and their interaction with physical health and wellbeing
- Knowledge of assessment, formulation and care planning within EIP services
- Knowledge of risk assessment, risk management and positive risk taking
- Understanding of Care Programme Approach (CPA), the Mental Health Act and Care Act as they apply to EIP
- Understanding of recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches to care
Desirable
- Knowledge of outcome measures and tools used to support evidence-based EIP practice
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments
- Ability to coordinate care and maintain oversight of care and risk plans
- Ability to work autonomously within scope of practice
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to engage service users and carers in a holistic, recovery-focused manner
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to service development, audit or quality improvement work
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Commitment to working with people experiencing early psychosis and their families/carers
- Good time management and record keeping skills
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Ability to work under pressure and manage stress appropriately
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of service users
Desirable
- Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Demonstrates behaviours aligned with Trust values, including: orespectful and compassionate practice ohonesty and professionalism owillingness to listen, engage and work collaboratively oleading by example in day-to-day practice
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with current professional registration
- Evidence of recent and ongoing continuous professional development
Desirable
- Training in CBT-informed or psychosocial interventions
- Training or experience in family or carer work
- Relevant specialist training (e.g. CAARMS or equivalent)
- Evidence of recent or ongoing continuous professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience working in mental health services
- Experience of working within an Early Intervention in Psychosis service, or with people experiencing first episode psychosis
- Experience of holding and managing a community caseload
- Experience of care coordination under CPA or key worker arrangements within community mental health services
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management in the community
- Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies and services
Desirable
- Experience of working with younger adults or within a young-person focused service
- Experience of working with At Risk Mental State (ARMS) presentations
- Experience of providing family interventions or supporting carers
- Experience of contributing to audit, service evaluation or quality improvement activity
- Experience of supporting students or junior colleagues
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the Early Intervention in Psychosis model, including access and waiting time standards, ethos and evidence base
- Knowledge of NICE clinical guidance relevant to first episode psychosis
- Sound knowledge of mental health disorders, particularly psychosis, and their interaction with physical health and wellbeing
- Knowledge of assessment, formulation and care planning within EIP services
- Knowledge of risk assessment, risk management and positive risk taking
- Understanding of Care Programme Approach (CPA), the Mental Health Act and Care Act as they apply to EIP
- Understanding of recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches to care
Desirable
- Knowledge of outcome measures and tools used to support evidence-based EIP practice
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments
- Ability to coordinate care and maintain oversight of care and risk plans
- Ability to work autonomously within scope of practice
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to engage service users and carers in a holistic, recovery-focused manner
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to service development, audit or quality improvement work
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Commitment to working with people experiencing early psychosis and their families/carers
- Good time management and record keeping skills
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Ability to work under pressure and manage stress appropriately
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of service users
Desirable
- Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Demonstrates behaviours aligned with Trust values, including: orespectful and compassionate practice ohonesty and professionalism owillingness to listen, engage and work collaboratively oleading by example in day-to-day practice
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).
