Assistant Practitioner

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are currently looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 4 Assistant Practitioner within our service. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in a fast paced and challenging environment and be involved in the on-going development of intensive support function within our Community Learning Disability Team. It is essential that you have an interest in working with individuals with learning disabilities within community and inpatient services.

The Specialist Learning Disability Division provides specialist services to adults who have a learning disability and/or autism who may present with health issues, individuals who are described as having complex challenging behaviour and people with a risk of offending or have a history of criminal conviction. The service is based on the principles that underpin the Transforming Care Agenda and is developing new models of care and support for people with a learning disability.

Main duties of the job

The Community Learning Disability Team works with individuals who have a learning disability, with additional complex and high risk needs, who may require a crisis intervention and intensive support. You will be an experienced support worker, with a good knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support, flexible with excellent communication skills and a passion for team working.

Applicants should have experience of working with individuals who have a learning disability and the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience around autism, behaviours that challenge and mental health conditions. The post holder must be able to transport self around the community.

We are looking for people who share our core values of Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respect , Enthusiasm and Support.

This post will be based in the Liverpool Community Learning Disability Team in Norris Green and Sefton Community Learning Disability Team Hartley Hospital.

About us

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Date posted

16 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

350-SC6199814

Job locations

Norris Green Community Hub

Falkland Approach

Liverpool

L11 5BS

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide direct support and observation to those people who use the service under the guidance and direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Specialist and work with service users on an individual and group basis to actively engage people in their treatment and care plans to support the development of social, self-help, occupational and personal skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills and be motivated to engage in new ways of working. They will have a clear commitment to person-centred practices and will be able to demonstrate this in their work with individuals, families and teams. You will be expected to work in partnership with the wider multi-disciplinary team and with a range of health and social care providers within community and inpatient settings.

The post holder will be expected to participate in an on-call rota as support to the registered professional phone holder during the day, at evenings and weekends across Liverpool and Sefton and will be expected to use their own car for this purpose.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 3
Must be willing to undertake Assistant Practitioner Foundation qualification.

Knowledge

Essential

Experience of working in a mental health setting
Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Effective communication skills both verbal & written
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Non judgmental attitude/approach
Ability to supervise support workers
Ability to work on own initiative and assist qualified practitioners
Ability to work as a member of the team
Flexibility
Negotiation skills including the ability to manage aggression/difficult behaviour
Knowledge of health promotion and physical/psychological health care needs of service users
Knowledge of developing meaningful activities in a care setting

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 3
Must be willing to undertake Assistant Practitioner Foundation qualification.

Knowledge

Essential

Experience of working in a mental health setting
Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Effective communication skills both verbal & written
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Non judgmental attitude/approach
Ability to supervise support workers
Ability to work on own initiative and assist qualified practitioners
Ability to work as a member of the team
Flexibility
Negotiation skills including the ability to manage aggression/difficult behaviour
Knowledge of health promotion and physical/psychological health care needs of service users
Knowledge of developing meaningful activities in a care setting

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.