Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner

You will, as part of a

Multi Disciplinary Team in accordance with Livewell policies, work

collaboratively with service users with a significant degree of mental health

complexity, their carers and other agencies, enabling them to access mental

health specialist support when required in line with Recovery and Trauma

Informed Principles.

You will manage a defined

caseload, working closely with other statutory and non statutory agencies to

provide specialist mental health assessment and evidenced based treatments

(both individual and group work based) for people with severe and enduring mental

health difficulties and complex presentations through. You will deliver care in

line with agreed principles and policies.

You will act as shift lead

on a rota basis, coordinating the service delivery, prioritising workload and

providing clinical advice to junior staff.

You will also be able to

offer consultation to other services and contribute to multi agency forum, you

will contribute to the training of others.

You will participate in,

and chair, Risk Management and Professionals meetings.

The post holder will be expected to be able to make clear clinical decisions based on the analysis of often complex presenting difficulties; this can include being the decision maker in terms of the onward care plan for patients experiencing crisis mental health needs.

To receive and triage referrals for the teams.

Undertake holistic and comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment of patients referred to the service.

Utilise a range of highly specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical/ home setting in which they are seen

Ability to match patient need with available skills and resources.

Work closely with peer support workers and volunteers to enhance patient experience.

Provide a consultation-liaison service to clinicians and clinical teams referring to the teams. This will include giving specialist advice on care, treatment and patients management issues.

To be part of a multi-disciplinary team approach responding to individuals requiring a same day response or signposting due to a mental health crisis

To provide skilled telephone advice to referrers, patients, and carers

To provide skilled telephone-based support to help contain a crisis and avoid further escalation of an issue

To offer an urgent mental health assessments and appointments in a location most convenient/appropriate for the patient; this may be in their home, GP surgery or Emergency Department.

To provide MH assessment to patients deemed to be at risk of inpatient psychiatric admission, presenting with acute mental health disturbance of a functional nature.

Identify the most appropriate intervention required for patient, with an emphasis on positive risk management, and refer, as necessary.

Following assessments provide high quality assessment reports/letters to the relevant professionals. Monitor reports by junior staff to ensure they are of the same standards.

Maintain high standards of integrity when communicating with patients and others.

Demonstrate ability to use IT systems effectively including email and clinical systems used by the team.

Possess a good working knowledge of mental health legislation including Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and use this in relation to advising and planning care, independently or with other professionals.

The post holder will provide nursing care and other interventions in the setting most appropriate to meet the patients needs.

Emergency judgments and clinical decision-making.

Maintain high standards of clinical care to patients.

Formulate care plans, implement, and evaluate them alongside patients and carers ensuring informed consent is obtained.

Demonstrates safe clinical skills when providing care for patients receiving specialist treatments e.g., commencement of Clozaril in the community or supporting a patient through ECT treatment.

To work within their professional registration (NMC, HCPC, BCAP) only.

5.1 Responsibility for People Management

Provide clinical supervision and line management supervision for junior members of staff.

Have the ability to challenge staff where the standard falls below expectations.

Have the ability to foster capability and support staff to develop.

Assist in education programmes provided for junior staff.

Provide mentorship for students both formally and informally.

Participate regularly in recruitment and selection of staff.

The post holder will actively participate in line management supervision with the Team Manager of the Team.

Provide line management for junior staff.

The post holder will actively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with Livewell SW policy.

The post holder will actively participate in the Livewell SW appraisal system and provide appraisals for junior staff.

Support the Team Practice Leads in the effective running of the team and monitoring of standards through effective clinical supervision of junior staff.

To take a clinical lead in absence of managers/ Practice leads.

5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

To comply with Livewell Southwest financial policies and procedures.

Exercise a duty of care in relation to use of the organisations equipment and resources in a cost-effective manner.

To maintain equipment as issued to them by Livewell Southwest for the job role - Lone working devise, mobile phone and IT equipment.

The post holder would be responsible for the safe storage and stock control levels of medication (NMC registered).

The post holder would be expected to be an authorised signatory for the ordering and authorisation of medication. (NMC registered).

5.3 Responsibility for administration

Maintain all records used by the team securely in line with the organisations policy and local practice.

The post holder will be responsible for updating their own practice, knowledge, and skills within their sphere of practice including Livewell SW mandatory training.

Knowledge of Mental Health and Mental Health service delivery.

To take a lead role in the co-ordination of shift ensuring appropriate allocation of work with the available skill mix utilising, prioritising, negotiation, and delegation skills.

Regularly take a lead in clinical meetings ensuring all patients are reviewed and decisions and plans are put into action and represent the patients views.

Liaise with other services to arrange appointments that both meet patient and service demands.

Responsible for electronic contacts and monitor the standard of work of junior staff.

Maintain confidentiality of the patients as per policy whilst sharing information when appropriate to do so.

Keep accurate and contemporaneous electronic/written patient records and comply with professional and organisational record keeping policies.

Comply with local and national policies in relation to confidentiality and information sharing protocols.

5.4 Responsibility for people who use our services

Advise referrers/family/patients, medical and other professional staff on the management of patients and contribute to care planning to meet identified needs.

Conduct risk assessments on all patients presenting to the service in line with up-to-date guidance and Livewell Southwest policy. The post holder will have highly developed risk assessment skills to manage complex presentations.

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social

enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across

Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of

Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports

centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and

collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while

empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in

shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right

time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead

healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training

pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care

Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship

programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all

sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental

health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the

application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Experience

Qualifications

Specific skills

Additional Requirements & Behavioural Attributes

Knowledge