Job summary
We are looking for dedicated, highly motivated, skilled and enthusiastic Community Senior Practitioner to join our busy Intensive Home Treatment Team in County Durham and Darlington. We provide assessment and treatment for older persons with functional and organic illness within the community setting, including supporting patients after discharge from; acute hospitals, acute mental health hospital and intermediate care beds. Along with supporting patients and carers in their own homes and providing telephone support for those who are in crisis
You will need to possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability and experience to manage complex cases in partnership with other agencies.
There is an expectation of commitment to the development of high quality care, and to engage in quality improvement activities. You will be supported with regular management and clinical supervision. You will be offered training and development opportunities.
Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Main duties of the job
1. Promotes and maintains safety, privacy and dignity of all patients in the delivery of patient centred care, recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs.
2. Takes steps to obtain patient consent to care and treatment.
3. Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of patient harm, abuse or neglect.
4. Responsible for ensuring the highest professional standards and attitudes towards the care of patients are maintained at all.
5. Assesses patients including those with complex needs and develops, implements and evaluates intervention plans.
6. Ensures intervention plans are based on current risk assessment and evidence based practice.
7. Undertakes risk assessments in accordance with the Trust's Clinical Risk Assessment and Management Policy, devising and implementing actions and intervention plans.
8. May be required to accompany and provide support to patients within a variety of community settings, dependent on current risk assessment.
9. Supports individual patients and their families/carers in the community, liaising with other support services.
10. Provides health education and advice on health promotion to patients and their carers.
11. Responsible for decision making and coordination in a crisis situation, where necessary seeking advice and guidance from other relevant professionals.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Date posted
28 March 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-DDM-006-25-A
Job locations
MHSOP Durham and Darlington Intensive Home Support Team
Auckland Park Hospital
Bishop Auckland
DH14 6AE
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a challenging but rewarding role, offering an exciting opportunity to those who have a professional registration with the NMC or HCPC. You will need to have strong assessment and therapeutic skills to fulfill this role. You will require the ability to work autonomously whilst still contributing to the team as a whole. Previous experience of working with older people who are suffering from a range of mental health conditions is essential. The role requires working with many other organisations and partners to ensure that the patient receives appropriate a Senior Practitioner you will be expected to supervise and mentor junior members of staff as well as student nurses.
There is an expectation of commitment to the development of high quality care, and to engage in quality improvement activities. You will be supported with regular management and clinical supervision. You will be offered training and development opportunities to fully support your role within the team.
Nursing applicants should already hold NMC registration and have successfully completed their preceptorship programme. Please note: Newly qualified Nurses or those due to qualify will be recruited via a separate process.
Candidates must have 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
12. Current professional registration with an approved professional body
13. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
14. For registered nurses: MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education.
15. 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework
16. Recognised sign-off mentor, clinical educator or equivalent. Must be achieved within agreed timescale
17. Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
18. Leadership or management qualification
19. Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
20. For registered nurses: Non medical prescriber
Experience
Essential
21. Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting
22. Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers
23. Providing clinical supervision
24. Mentoring or facilitating students on practice placement
25. Working in a multi-disciplinary team
26. Quality improvement activities
Desirable
27. Leadership or management experience
Skills
Essential
28. Provide leadership and monitor, co-ordinate and prioritise the activities of a team
29. Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team
30. Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake lead professional and care co-ordinator responsibilities
31. Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice
32. Write reports
33. Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings.
34. Use approved breakaway techniques.