Eating Disorders Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 20 October 2024

Job summary

This is an opportunity to join our innovative multi-disciplinary team (MDT) at a time when the community eating disorder provision across Devon is developing and evolving.

We are looking for a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) based at Wonford House, Exeter, this post will cover clinics across our sites in Devon. Experience and an interest in eating disorders is preferred although we will provide a range of training opportunities that can help you develop the skills you need.

We will accept applications from registered nursing practitioners, qualified social workers or Allied Health Professionals with some experience in mental health and an interest in eating disorders.

We strive to integrate psychiatric and physical care which is essential in the managing of our complex patient needs. This involves close links with GP surgeries and CMHTs plus local hospitals and specialist eating disorder in-patient units.

We provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people with newly emerging eating disorders as well as for those with long-standing eating disorder difficulties and dual diagnosis.

Each patient has a named clinician within the team who supports them with their psychological health and wellbeing and delivers psychologically informed interventions along with supporting them to attend their physical health appointments.

Main duties of the job

The post holder be expected to manage a caseload of patients, whilst working closely with other MDT members in the assessment of the patients needs and the provision of treatment to individuals with an eating disorder.

They will offer individual and group work using psychosocial and educational interventions.

The post holder will assess care needs, develop and implement and evaluate individual recovery plans.

The post holder will facilitate, promote and supervise education and clinical audit in order to improve the quality of the service provided.

You will be expected to link in with other teams both internal to DPT e.g. acute mental health wards, community mental health teams, specialist eating disorder units, and other specialist teams such as perinatal, complex needs teams and CAMHS and external to DPT such as acute medical wards, GP's and social care teams to facilitate the care pathways/treatment for those on caseload.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the skills needed for safe clinical decision making. They will be self-motivated and compassionate who, acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care to patients with eating disorders. They will demonstrate safe and competent clinical decision-making and assessment skills. They will communicate and work collaboratively with the team to meet the needs of patients whilst supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

27 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-24-0774-2

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 4JB

DPT Well-being Hub

Torbay Hospital

Torbay

TQ2 7AA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Registered Mental Health Nurse, Allied Health Professional or Social Worker
Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.

Desirable

Training, knowledge in at least one therapeutic intervention or willingness to obtain qualifications in this area.
Training in relevant psychological therapy and or a willingness to partake in training
Mentorship or student education training which is sufficient for sign off mentor status, or a willingness to achieve this.
Experience of working in mental health and eating disorders

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of diagnostic criteria of Eating Disorder conditions
Knowledge of physical complications associated with Eating Disorder
Knowledge of how to supervise others and provide critical and constructive feedback.
Knowledge of relevant psychological therapies for treating Eating Disorders
Previous employment / experience of working with people with Mental Health problems
Able to demonstrate past proven leadership experience
Experience of staff supervision
Experience of providing training to multi-disciplinary teams
Effective team worker
Good level of I.T / Computer skills
High level communication skills including: presentation and facilitation skills; consultation and engagement skills
An ability to adjust communication effectively to meet the needs of a diverse group including internal and external stakeholders
Good organisational and interpersonal skills, tact and sensitivity. Ability to gain trust
Ability to contribute to the supervision and development of others
Confidence to deliver sometimes contentious and difficult messages to a broad range of stake holders

Desirable

Previous experience of working with people having an Eating Disorder

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Registered Mental Health Nurse, Allied Health Professional or Social Worker
Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.

Desirable

Training, knowledge in at least one therapeutic intervention or willingness to obtain qualifications in this area.
Training in relevant psychological therapy and or a willingness to partake in training
Mentorship or student education training which is sufficient for sign off mentor status, or a willingness to achieve this.
Experience of working in mental health and eating disorders

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of diagnostic criteria of Eating Disorder conditions
Knowledge of physical complications associated with Eating Disorder
Knowledge of how to supervise others and provide critical and constructive feedback.
Knowledge of relevant psychological therapies for treating Eating Disorders
Previous employment / experience of working with people with Mental Health problems
Able to demonstrate past proven leadership experience
Experience of staff supervision
Experience of providing training to multi-disciplinary teams
Effective team worker
Good level of I.T / Computer skills
High level communication skills including: presentation and facilitation skills; consultation and engagement skills
An ability to adjust communication effectively to meet the needs of a diverse group including internal and external stakeholders
Good organisational and interpersonal skills, tact and sensitivity. Ability to gain trust
Ability to contribute to the supervision and development of others
Confidence to deliver sometimes contentious and difficult messages to a broad range of stake holders

Desirable

Previous experience of working with people having an Eating Disorder

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.