Community Mental Health Practitioner for Older People
Responsible for the specialist assessment and care of clients and provide relevant appropriate treatments when appropriate to allow them to maintain independence for as long as possible in the community.
Liaise with specialist services within their catchment area and develop links with Primary Care Services and other caregivers. They will manage outcomes autonomously, but link to peer support through supervision and video conferencing facilities.
Main duties of the job
1. Provide a specialist assessment and support services for people over the age of 65 who are suffering from mental health problems or clients under the age of 65 with evidence of organic changes.
2. Manage own case load. Undertake initial assessments on behalf of the CMHT and to care coordinate. Undertake self-audit of care coordination activity in line with Welsh Government audit requirements.
3. Act as Duty Officer for the Older Persons team at the CMHT ensuring information is processed accurately and communicated to other professionals/agencies.
4. Co-ordinate, arrange and where appropriate chair case conferences where there is notification of serious concern i.e. Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
5. Act independently and have sole responsibility for managing case load and time effectively.
6. Act as a therapeutic resource for clients, having the ability to use assessments and offer a variety of interventions e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling.
7. Review and monitor complex mental health presentation and offer opinions regarding diagnosis as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
8. Work with clients with uncertain or differential diagnosis in order to improve their functioning while seeking a confirmed diagnosis.
9. Work within a highly autonomous team.
10. Analyse and interpret complex clinical, environmental and social situations in order to plan the most effective interventions.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
* Qualified Registered Mental Health Nurse or Occupational Therapist or Registered Social Worker
* Up-to-date registration
* Significant post-registration experience within Older Age Psychiatry
* Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Section 117
* Knowledge and experience of assessment processes
* Familiarity with relevant NICE guidelines
* Awareness of clinical governance
* Skill in risk assessment and risk management
* Understanding of contemporary approaches and developments in mental health
* Evidence of understanding National Service Frameworks for Mental Health and Older People
* Awareness of appropriate professional guidelines for practice
* Knowledge of evidence-based interventions
* Educated to degree level or equivalent
* Understanding of WCCIS
* Post-qualification training in a relevant area of clinically therapeutic practice (Dementia Care Mapping etc)
* Understanding of demand and capacity issues
Experience
* Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
* Evidence of reflective practice
* Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork
* Clinical supervisory experience
* Hospital or community mental health experience with older people
Values
* Demonstrate PTHB values
* Resilient in dealing with patients' experiences of extreme distress, and supporting families
* Ability to work in a non-discriminatory manner, respecting service user rights and choices
* Approachable, creative and innovative
Other
* Ability to travel within a geographical area
* Ability to work hours flexibly if required
Aptitude and Abilities
* Knowledgeable and skilled in mental health assessment, requiring the ability to plan, organise and signpost care
* Flexible to meet needs of the service
* Skilled in a range of therapeutic approaches to mental health problems within a time-limited framework
* Proven clinical skills commensurate with the post
* Proven ability to manage own caseload
* Skilled in care and treatment planning
* Strong verbal and written communication and networking skills
* Good time management skills and ability to work to targets
* Ability to work both autonomously and as a team player
* Able to deal appropriately with stressful situations
* Skilled in empowering service users
* Clinical supervision skills
* CBT/solution-focused approach
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.
Service Manager, Older Adult Community Services
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