Perinatal Practitioner

• The perinatal mental health service provide specialist community care for women who are at risk of development, relapse or recurrence of a serious mental health problem.
• The role of the Perinatal Practitioner will be to undertake comprehensive evidenced based assessments and formulation of treatment plans and address Perinatal Service enquiries providing practical advice and support.
• To work in conjunction with the Perinatal Clinical Lead and Medical Personnel to develop and deliver safe and effective services, in accordance with key national targets, clinical standards, service priorities and key performance indicators.
• To work in partnership with commissioners and other partner agencies to provide Perinatal Services that achieve the best possible outcomes for service users.

Essential

• Professional Qualification (Degree or equivalent)
• Evidence of relevant core profession i.e., RMN, Social Worker, OT and registration with relevant professional body
• Mentorship in Practice/ENB 998 or equivalent (or willingness to complete)

Desirable

• Post graduate education specifically relating to client group (Post basic qualification in community care/ research awareness/ management)
• Non-medical prescribing
• Formal therapies qualification, ie CBT or similar

Essential

• Experience of working in a mental health setting, including working with patients experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
• Experience of delivering brief therapeutic interventions.
• To have appropriate demonstrable experience - which should include community and working within a mental health setting
• Experience in managing a busy case load/workload
• To have experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
• To have a good knowledge and interest in community care and specific clinical expertise in mental health
• To understand and have experience of risk management.
• To have a good understanding of Clinical Governance
• To understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
• To have an understanding of Perinatal Mental Health Services and interdisciplinary working
• To have experience of supervising other staf
• To be able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities.

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking complex health and social care assessments
• To have a good knowledge of community services
• Community work with perinatal clients with mental health needs
• To have awareness of National and local issues concerning mental health
• To have experience of audit
• To have experience of supervising student placements.
• Experience of multi-agency pre-birth planning for women with serious mental illness.
• Experience of planning and delivering training in response to identified needs

Essential

• Evidence of continued professional development demonstrated by specialist knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge of ethical practice mindful of issues of power and diversity and to work in a way that is sensitive to clients' cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of evidence base relating to perinatal specific mental health issues, risk & management
• Knowledge of current developments and practice within perinatal mental health
• Excellent knowledge of Mental Health Act 2007, the MHA, the MCA and the Care Act
• Experience in child safeguarding referrals and procedures
• Excellent knowledge of prescribed medical treatments
• Sound knowledge of principles of recovery
• Excellent knowledge and experience of assessment and risk assessment tools
• Understands and promotes equality, diversity and human rights in accordance with legislation, policy and procedures relating to recruitment
• Understanding of health and safety policy. Ability to carry out risk assessments
• Understanding of confidentiality in the workplace