Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
Awarded for this vacancy - £2,500 Golden Hello Payment. Apply now and if you are successfully recruited you will receive up to £2,500. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Relocation package available for this position. Terms and Conditions apply.
AMHPs carry out a range of tasks and assessments within the scope of the Mental Health Act; including consideration under s13, making applications to detain, use of Guardianship and Community Treatment Orders to support well-being in the community. Application and knowledge of the MHA, the MCA and the Human Rights Act is integral to AMHP work.
The AMHP Team provides support and advice to local Health and Social Care Teams regarding complex practice issues where mental disorder is a significant component and where there may be a need to consider legal frameworks in ensuring appropriate care and safe practice. The team contributes to MDT working, safeguarding meetings and can undertake joint visits with our health and social care colleagues.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake the responsibilities of the AMHP as determined by the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and associated legislation, codes of practice and guidance.
Within this role, the postholder will have independent responsibility for assessments under the Mental Health Act, implementation, planning and evaluation of care to service users.
The post holder will provide specialised clinical advice to colleagues, managers and partner agencies in relation to the application of mental health law. They will also provide practice supervision to less experienced qualified staff and to peers, and provide practice placement supervision for trainee AMHPs.
The post holder will contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures relevant to this area of work and will participate in audit/research both locally and at a national level.
Job responsibilities
1. Undertake duties under the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended 2007, Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice and associated legislation including, where trained, the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
2. Undertake mental health assessments, formulate, implement and coordinate plans for the ongoing care of service users, promoting a holistic approach and maximizing social inclusion. Where appropriate make applications for compulsory admission/guardianship.
3. The AMHPs will reach an independent judgement about the need for admission to hospital either voluntary or under compulsion and pursue any appropriate alternative less restrictive options.
4. Provide reasoned and clear verbal and written reports to promote effective, accountable and independent AMHP decision making.
5. Keep appropriate records with an awareness of legal requirements for the AMHP role.
6. Promote and coordinate an effective practice supervision structure across organisational and professional boundaries.
7. Deliver professional leadership and consultation to promote evidence-based practice, improved standards of care provision and service development.
8. Implement and monitor clinical practice guidelines, standards and protocols, ensuring the highest quality service user experience.
9. Provide professional advice and leadership on issues and developments relating to mental health legislation.
10. Provide professional expertise, advice and support to senior managers and clinical teams regarding critical incident review and learning lesson techniques pertaining to the use of mental health legislation.
11. The specialist team to take a lead on certain service development areas associated with mental health.
12. To undertake regular audits both inpatient and community to ensure continued compliance with the compliance of MHA e.g. training, Section 136, networking, diversity, scrutiny, auditing.
13. Further development of the services may entail working out of hours/weekends and on call.
14. Although AMHPs act on behalf of the Local Authority they cannot be told by the Local Authority or anyone else whether or not to make an application. They must exercise their own judgement based on social and medical evidence when deciding when to apply for a patient to be detained under the act.
15. The role of the AMHPs is to provide an independent decision about whether or not there are alternatives to detention under the Act, bringing a social perspective on their decision, and taking account of the least restrictive option and maximizing independence guiding principle. To maintain daily contact with all acute inpatient areas, provide scrutiny training for appropriately qualified nursing staff, scrutinizing paperwork for the Mental Health Act Office.
Person Specification
Experience
* Demonstrable experience in adult mental health and associated areas.
* Excellent clinical skills of working with individuals with mental health needs and their carers.
* Risk assessment, risk procedures and relevant policies.
* Demonstrable experience of providing training across disciplines at different academic levels.
* Involvement in networks and initiatives at regional and national level.
Additional Requirements
* Current registration with appropriate professional body.
* Enhanced CRB clearance.
* Demonstrable experience of presentation and facilitation skills.
Qualifications
* Recognised professional qualification in Mental Health e.g., RMN, DipSW, CQSW, BA OT, DipClinPsych, or equivalent and are registered with the appropriate organisation.
* Post registered qualification as Approved Mental Health Professional.
* A recognised teaching/practice supervision/assessing qualification or equivalent is desirable.
* Evidence of an up-to-date continual professional development log.
Knowledge
* Will have extensive knowledge in the field of mental health and mental health law.
* Knowledge of Safeguarding children and adults.
* National Health and Social Care Policy.
* Demonstrable knowledge and experience in providing practice supervision.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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