Job summary This post is a 2 year Fixed Term Contract with an end date of 4th December 2026. The Wokingham Community Older Adult Mental Health Service is looking for an enthusiastic, caring and highly motivated Assistant Practitioner with 2 years mental health experience / or NVQ 4 qualification to join our friendly and innovative Community Team. Your base would be Wokingham Community Hospital where we have access to free parking, staff room and a friendly and welcoming team. Due to the nature of this role, you will be office based - core hours 9-5 Monday to Friday. Main duties of the job The post holder's primary duties will be supporting Mental Health Practitioners with the delivery of our duty system within our community team which will be office based. The successful candidate will, with support, complete allocated tasks as directed by The Clinical Lead / Mental Health Practitioners to provide safe and effective advice and support to carers and patients requiring support from Wokingham Older Adults Mental Health Service. These tasks may include-printing results, requesting and following up on information from GPs and liaising with patients and carers. The role also involves accompanying Mental Health Practitioners on duty visits along with the relevant administrative duties. Appropriate training and support will be provided as needed The post holder will be expected to operate within the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures with support provided through supervision. About us Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish. Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are: Caring for and about you is our top priority Committed to providing good quality, safe services Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include: 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 Date posted 08 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum (inc. of HCAS) Contract Fixed term Duration 2 years Working pattern Full-time Reference number 371-MHS589 Job locations Wokingham Hospital Barkham Road Wokingham RG41 2RE Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for you to be considered for this role: Be a car driver and have access to a car for community visits The successful applicant must display a passion & understanding for working with Older People The successful applicant will have a proactive and can do approach and be a team player. The successful applicant will have experience / knowledge in mental health and it is desirable to have some understanding of dementia For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to make contact with Clare Bailey 0118 904 7200 clare.baileyberkshire.nhs.uk. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for you to be considered for this role: Be a car driver and have access to a car for community visits The successful applicant must display a passion & understanding for working with Older People The successful applicant will have a proactive and can do approach and be a team player. The successful applicant will have experience / knowledge in mental health and it is desirable to have some understanding of dementia For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to make contact with Clare Bailey 0118 904 7200 clare.baileyberkshire.nhs.uk. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Person Specification Education Qualifications Training Essential Good general education including GCSE Maths and English or equivalent NVQ 4 or equivalent experience Desirable Degree level of qualification (e.g. psychology, social studies) Experience Essential Two years' experience in mental health services at Band 3 level Participated in therapeutic group work under the supervision of qualified staff Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Effective written and verbal communication skills including report writing Standard IT Skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint Additional Requirements Essential Valid UK licence Use of Car Person Specification Education Qualifications Training Essential Good general education including GCSE Maths and English or equivalent NVQ 4 or equivalent experience Desirable Degree level of qualification (e.g. psychology, social studies) Experience Essential Two years' experience in mental health services at Band 3 level Participated in therapeutic group work under the supervision of qualified staff Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Effective written and verbal communication skills including report writing Standard IT Skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint Additional Requirements Essential Valid UK licence Use of Car 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. Employer details Employer name Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Address Wokingham Hospital Barkham Road Wokingham RG41 2RE Employer's website https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)