Community Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary
Within the Christchurch & Southbourne Community Mental Health Team, an opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner to join the service on a Part-time basis (18.75 hours per week)

The successful candidate will work as part of a well-established, integrated multidisciplinary team comprising Psychiatrists, Nurses, Psychologists, Employment Specialists, Physical Health Support Workers, Social Workers, Administrative staff, and Support Time Recovery Workers.

This is primarily a care coordination role, with responsibility for supporting individuals with complex mental health needs throughout their recovery journey. The post holder will undertake comprehensive assessment, care planning, risk management, and multi-agency liaison to ensure safe, person-centred care delivery.

As a key member of the team, the role offers a varied and professionally rewarding experience within a supportive environment. The team has strong values centred on recovery-focused and patient-led practice, ensuring that service users' wellbeing remains at the heart of all interventions. You can expect regular supervision, peer support, and opportunities for ongoing professional development to promote safe and confident practice.

Please note that applications from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately not eligible for this position.

Main duties of the job
You will be a committed, dynamic, motivated professional with excellent communication, organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your work. You should have recent experience of working in a mental health environment and be able to apply the philosophies of engagement and recovery in your work with service users.

You will provide a high quality person centred approach to care delivery which always considers people's safety, privacy and dignity.

You will provide specialist care and interventions, assessments, treatments andmanaging patients on a caseload, as part of the wider multidisciplinary careteam.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do View email address on meeveem.com

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Professional registration with the appropriate regulatory body (NMC, Social Work England or HCPC). Relevant professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy. Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Significant post-registration experience working within Adult Mental Health services. Experience of undertaking comprehensive mental health assessments and risk assessments. Experience of managing complex mental health presentations. Experience of multidisciplinary team working. Experience of care planning and care coordination (where appropriate). Experience of working within community mental health services.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) and Mental Capacity Act 2005. Knowledge of safeguarding adults procedures. Understanding of risk assessment and risk management. Knowledge of relevant NICE guidance and contemporary mental health practice. Understanding of recovery-focused and person-centred care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to make sound autonomous clinical decisions. Ability to prioritise competing demands within a busy Duty service. Ability to produce accurate and timely clinical documentation. Good IT skills, including electronic patient record systems. Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• bility to travel independently across the locality. Willingness to participate in the Duty rota. Flexible approach to working to meet service needs.

Community mental health experience
Essential

• Experience of working within an Adult Community Mental Health Team, including undertaking comprehensive mental health and risk assessments, managing a caseload and working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Experience of Duty and Assessment, triage or urgent response services is desirable.

Ability to manage risk
Essential

• Demonstrates the ability to identify, assess, manage and document clinical risk, including risks relating to self-harm, suicide, self-neglect, vulnerability and risks to others. Able to formulate and implement proportionate risk management plans and escalate concerns appropriately in line with Trust policies and procedures.

Communication skills
Essential

• Communicates clearly, professionally and compassionately with patients, carers and colleagues. Able to adapt communication to meet individual needs, manage sensitive or challenging conversations, and maintain accurate, timely and effective clinical documentation.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.