The purpose of the Single Point of Access (SPA) is to assess older people being referred to South Somerset OPCMHT to ascertain the most appropriate service to meet their needs. The post requires significant clinical and organisational skills. You will adhere to the goals of 'No wrong Front Door' and support the operations of the Team who seek to identify the right service for a person at the right time.
You will be responsible for coordinating the intake of referrals into South Somerset OPCMHT, carrying out telephone triages, face-to-face assessments, and brief interventions with people aged over 65 years and their families. You will also support the daily management of the duty rota.
The SPA Clinician will work with front line administrators and OPCMHT colleagues to identify presenting needs, manage risk, and complete/co-ordinate DUTY visits. This will involve liaising with the person referred, their carers/family members, and professionals at the point of referral.
Main duties of the job
The Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) for older people work with adults aged 65 and over who are experiencing moderate or severe mental illness. The CMHTs assess, treat, monitor, and support patients and their families predominantly in their own homes and, where necessary, can refer to other teams such as the Intensive Dementia Support Service (IDSS) or Home Treatment Team. They can also arrange admissions to hospital when necessary. The CMHTs also provide an 'in-reach service', providing specialist support and assessments for patients admitted to Community Hospitals. The CMHTs consist of Community Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Support, Time & Recovery Workers, Assistant Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, and administration support. The CMHTs are also part of a bigger team known as the Integrated Team which brings together CMHTs, District Nursing Teams, and Integrated Rehabilitation Teams.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Job responsibilities
* Screening new referrals
* Completing telephone triages/screening for people who are referred to our service, making contact with families, allied professionals, and the person themselves
* Completing over the telephone risk assessment and management plans
* Completing duty assessments and interventions
* Liaising daily with the duty worker for South Somerset OPCMHT
* Working alongside admin colleagues to ensure a smooth and timely response/screening for all new referrals
* Complying with the service requirements for the completion of routine outcome measures
Supporting the Integrated Team with queries coming into the Integrated Team HUB.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Current registration with relevant professional body i.e. NMC/HCPC
* Relevant degree or equivalent experience
* Evidence of continuous professional development
* Experience of supervision and appraisal
* Experience of mentorship role
Experience
* Experience as a Band 5 or equivalent Mental Health Professional
* Experience of care co-ordination
* Experience of working with families, carers, and significant others
* Proven leadership skills
* Relevant experience in a community setting
* Experience of Recovery focused practice
Additional Criteria
* Please see the attached Job Description for additional Criteria
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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