Community Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview
Please note, at this stage, the role is open only to internal staff (including NHSP and Agency staff currently on placement within our organisation) and staff substantively employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Any individual who is at risk of redundancy will be given priority, provided they meet the essential criteria.
We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic Mental Health Nurses who have a strong sense of initiative and an excellent team working ability.
Effective communication skills and self-governance are required. You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of high level interventions & community assessment skills.
We are a community service for those who have needs related to Dementia. We also provide support and advice to professionals, care homes and carers.
We provide comprehensive multi-disciplinary services and work closely with local specialist mental health teams, tertiary service providers, primary care, local statutory and non-statutory agencies, service users & carers.
Our team comprises consultant psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, support workers, Admiral nurses and administrative staff.

Main duties of the job

• Work effectively as a lead clinician in the Memory Assessment Service (MAS) and Mental Health Together Plus Dementia Pathway, ensuring that patients referred for assessment experience a smooth pathway through the referral, diagnosis and treatment process.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of interventions.
• Monitor clients' progress, reporting on clients' psychological, physical, behavioural and social needs.
• adapt and evaluate interventions, ensuring that they support the client and his/her carer to meet their needs, adjusting own approach accordingly.
• Act as a Lead Health Care Professional (HCP) on a shared caseload. Plan and provide flexible, client centred care for patients and their carers referred for assessment and support.
• Enable patients and their carers to access the care and support that they need.

Working for our organisation
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
Take a look at our Community Nursing Video

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of therapeutic groups and interventions for clients and carers.
• Carry out activities of daily living needs assessments (Occupational Therapist only).
• Report effectively and routinely to the multidisciplinary team on issues relating to the service.

Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• • A minimum 1 - 2 years post registration experience in a similar field.
• • Experience of working with people with dementia and their carers.

Desirable criteria

• • Experience of working in a health or social care setting.
• • Working in a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT).

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• • Ability to work flexibly and creatively, planning and problem solving to meet the individual needs of clients and their carers.
• • Ability to work alone using initiative and co-operation as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• • Ability to plan both pre and post diagnostic support in the Memory Assessment Service.
• • Knowledge of RiO patient record systems.

Important Information:
In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, it may be necessary to bring the closing date forward. Please submit your completed application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to the high volume of applications received, it is not possible to respond individually to your application. Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the vacancy closing, please assume that your application has not been successful.

Probation Period. New employees external to the trust are subject to a six-month probationary period.
To deliver an effective service it is essential in some of our roles that you are able to travel between work bases in a timely manner.
Production of false or forged documents/qualifications in order to obtain employment is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Certain roles are subject to criminal record checks called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Therefore, you will be required to submit a completed Disclosure form to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust are signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety in Health Care Organisational Charter
The trust takes a systematic zero-tolerance approach to tackle any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace and in our care provision. We are committed to sexual safety which encompasses prevention, support and decisive action against perpetrators. We are committed to keeping you and our patients safe.

Use of AI when writing job applications
While AI tools can be helpful in generating ideas and drafting initial versions, they should never be the sole source for writing your job application.
AI cannot truly understand the specific job you're applying for or what makes you a good fit. Therefore, it's crucial to personalise any AI-generated content to accurately reflect your skills, experiences, and aspirations.
Relying solely on AI to write your application may result in generic, impersonal, and potentially inaccurate content. Always review and refine any AI-generated text to ensure it effectively communicates your experience, skills, accomplishments, and aspirations, and demonstrates your suitability for the position.