Band 6 PCLS Practitioner (Social Worker, Nurse, OT)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Result AreasTo provide Primary Care Services with rapid access to specialist mental health advice and support and to enable them to deal more effectively with a range of mental health problems

A high true positive pathway transfer rate into secondary mental health services (90%) where needs indicate the necessity of such care and treatment

An increased detection of mental health problems/needs with improved care, treatment and management of this within Primary Care case loads

The promotion of improved understanding of and confidence in the delivery of mental health care and collaboration with all agencies involved in the care of service users

A reduction in the likelihood of premature transition to secondary mental health care on the grounds of lack of expertise to manage low to moderate mental health needs in context.

The provision of targeted formal and informal learning opportunities for all staff within the primary care teams to develop their knowledge and capabilities within the mental health component of holistic care

The provision of information sign posting and support for service users and their relatives/carers about functional and organic mental health disorders

Key Performance Areas

To provide information, proportional assessment and sign posting to patients and their family and carers presenting with mental health problems/needs in community settings.

To foster strong collaborative and trusting working relationships with the referring agent/Primary Care Health Care Professionals underpinned by an educative and solutions focussed philosophy whilst providing them with credible clinical expertise.

This may include:

The promotion and use of additional standardised assessment tools

Promoting the importance of working with, strengths and aspirations of the person referred

The provision of succinct formulations and recommendations (inclusive of risk management advice)

Assessment of or advice on the impact of culture and diversity

Consideration of the respective Primary Care HCPs confidence and capability in relation to the 10 Essential Shared Capabilities (best practice in Mental Health Care).

Best practice advice and support in a broad range of conditions for people with both functional and organic mental health needs

Promotion and recognition of the needs of family and carer/s, including various support networks and third sector agencies

Advice and support on evaluating risk from a positive risk-taking perspective

Support and clarity on formulations within a bio-psycho-social model, including people with medically unexplained symptoms

Identifying and ensuring specialist involvement where required

Advice on interventions and treatments required to enable positive change

Support and advice within Safeguarding and public protection procedureswhere the issues are complicated by mental health problems

Second opinion on complex capacity assessments

To facilitate the development of safe and effective mental health care practice within the primary care setting.

To assist the primary care and secondary mental health teams in the delivery of safe and appropriate care planning processes.

To provide a prompt response to all referrals following jointly agreed procedures and within agreed time frames.

To provide concise and effective liaison and feedback to clinical staff within secondary mental health services and Primary Care teams including advice on effective and appropriate management strategies for those patients referred to the service

To ensure where needed that people experience a seamless transfer into AWP provider/treatment services

To make effective use of the standard liaison approach and structure for assessments according to the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) format

Following assessment, to provide short- term follow up of patients where appropriate.

To contribute evidence-based expertise to multi-disciplinary team care planning processes

To provide effective communication with service users, relatives and carers, Primary Care and Secondary health services.To advise on medication management issues

To ensure the active involvement of carers during all stages of the assessment process

To provide a prompt response to requests for information and advice.

To ensure appropriate communication, both verbal and written, at all stages of the consultation process.

To promote positive attitudes, mutual understanding and collaboration between non mental health staff and mental health services, users, carers, voluntary agencies, primary care and social services

To provide evidence-based specialist advice on how best to meet the mental health needs of the population for staff of other agencies, service users and carers.

To raise awareness of the effects of physical conditions on the mental health of service users.

To assist and participate in appropriate service development forums.

To provide mentoring/ training for others in relevant practice areas, according to professional requirements, taking a collaborative approach to practice development and evidence-based care.

Demonstrate responsibility for developing own practice in line with professional qualifications and for contributing to the development of others, by making use of and providing, effective feedback, supervision, coaching and appraisal.

To adhere to the NMC professional code of conduct ensuring required skills and competencies required are maintained.

Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, undertaking assessments and taking appropriate action where required.

Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities.

Lead, maintain and participate in practices which enable team working

To maintain the single health and social care record, ensuring both paper and electronic records are kept up to date in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

To assist in the development and implementation of appropriate systems aimed at ensuring a consistent approach to assessment, communication and follow-up

To make appropriate use of time and resources

To participate in clinical audit and service evaluation programmes as required.

To participate in local arrangements where required to manage unexpected staff absences

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

• RMN qualification or equivalent qualification in OT or Social Work

Desirable

• Two years post qualification experience

Experience

Essential

• Front line experience of using advanced assessment skills especially in determining the nature and severity of mental illness/health
• Demonstrates substantial experience of assessing risk and developing risk management strategies

Desirable

• Working within an assessment setting for at least a year.
• Use of the SBAR tool

Knowledge

Essential

• Detailed working knowledge of the components of a psychosocial assessment, and the needs, treatment approaches and the rights of people with mental health problems and the needs of their carers and family

Desirable

• Relevant post-registration qualifications, such at Thorn, CBT, Brief interventions

Skills

Essential

• Highly developed verbal and non verbal communication skills, able to engage effectively with people at all levels within a variety of settings

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Kingswood Civic Centre

High Street

South Gloucestershire Bristol

BS15 9TR

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)