Senior Mental Health Practitioner – Locality Access Point (LAP)

• To undertake comprehensive initial assessments in a range of settings following acceptance of referral, considering the persons physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
• To develop and implement an agreed plan of care with the service user and where appropriate, include the views of families and carers.
• To identify and select from a range of health, social and voluntary agencies which could assist and improve the care of individuals and their families.
• To represent BHFT mental health services at locality LAP/Cluster meetings.
• To provide clinical leadership and offer mental health expertise & guidance to professional colleagues and assist in formulation to support integrated decision making and care provision.
• To utilise advanced clinical skills and expert knowledge to deliver evidenced based person-centred interventions to a small caseload of people with complex mental health needs and offer practical advice and emotional support to their family carers.
• To contribute to and influence the development and improvement of anticipatory care planning.
• To have knowledge of a variety of therapeutic interventions including short term problem solving, crisis intervention and basic CBT techniques.
• To manage complex caseloads and maintain responsibility for clinical decision-making within professional accountability frameworks for patients requiring secondary care mental health support

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Essential

• Degree in Mental Health Nursing or equivalent professional qualification
• Dual Qualification e.g. RGN or Psychological Therapy training
• Current professional registration

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years post registration experience of working within a mental health setting.
• Significant experience working within Older People's Mental Health.
• Experience of working in community settings
• Clinical supervision/mentoring of staff or students.
• Substantial experience of managing complex caseloads

Essential

• Specialist clinical reasoning skills in mental health
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of engaging in audits, data collection and data reporting
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the health and social care systems and operating frameworks, clinical observations and the Mental Health Act
• Knowledge and experiencing of managing situations concerning safeguarding, risk management, complaints and investigations
• Knowledge of national dementia strategies and guidance.
• Advanced knowledge of dementia and cognitive disorders
• Sound knowledge of pharmacological interventions for dementia.
• Advanced communication skills for delivering diagnoses and supporting carers.
• Ability to work autonomously, in MDTs and with wider stakeholders and hold a complex caseload
• Knowledge of relevant mental health policy and national drivers/guidelines
• Ability to support with research activity
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate around various systems and software packages (such as Rio, outlook, databases, and MS office)
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a team, reprioritising work and that of others work to reflect changing needs.
• Ability to contribute to service development and evaluation.

Essential

• The role will involve home visits and lone working
• Enhanced DBS clearance
• Ability to travel within the community, across multiple destinations
• Car driver with access to a vehicle
• Commitment to ongoing professional development