Job Description

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.



We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

Job overview

The Assistant Practitioner role is a key role within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team (CAMHS) and supports the work of registered professionals within the CAMHS service. The team utilises a Multi-disciplinary approach in supporting the mental health of children, young people and their families and sits alongside Psychology, Family Therapy, Creative therapies, Mental Health Nurses and Social Work.



We pride ourselves in holding strong values of compassion and kindness in the work that we do, and together provide a supportive and learning environment for staff.

Main duties of the job

Responsibility for actively participating as a key member of the clinical team for providing quality services for an identified client group under the supervision of a registered professional.



Having undertaken a Foundation Degree level qualification will maintain, develop and evidence clinical knowledge, skills and competencies at all opportunities and through the competency framework



Demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users and their carers.



Be accountable and work autonomously within clearly defined boundaries of the Assistant Practitioner competencies and carry out specific delegated tasks. This may include extended roles delegated by a registered professional.



Expected to deliver care and services within the strategic objectives of the organisation and promote the principles of Recovery. These principles will recognise the need to promote safe practice; value the beliefs and aims of service users and carers; work in partnership and offer meaningful choice; and value social inclusion

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk?

The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Extended roles

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Undertake appropriate extended roles which have traditionally been undertaken by registered professionals. These roles can be undertaken under the direction of a registered professional following approved training and assessment of competence. Undertake and maintain a competence portfolio, (Competency Framework)

Management of Service User care

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Take part in on going assessments of service users with the Multi-disciplinary team



Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate service users' needs in conjunction with a registered professional



Deliver care within the sphere of the Care Programme Approach, including the importance of working with carers



Able to work independently on own initiative to meet the needs of services users



Deliver person centred care



Liaise with external organisations as required promoting partnership working to ensure holistic care



Have an understanding of Social Care requirements and legislation including referrals, carers' assessments and self-directed support such as individualised budgets, providing input and assistance as required

Attend and contribute to MDT/CPA review



Hold and manage an identified caseload where appropriate



Take part in and contribute to ongoing review of risk assessments, recognising and responding to any changes.



Ensure service users' needs are accurately reflected in health record documentation.



Assist service users and carers to access information



Be able to provide therapeutic interventions including 1:1 Sessions and facilitation of group activities



Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacology including the ability to discuss benefits of medication, issues of compliance and recognising side effects



Carry out basic physical health checks as required e.g. basic observations, phlebotomy, MEWS and respond accordingly to any concerns



Ensure that service users' physical health needs are met and demonstrate an ability to identify any common on going physical health needs

Team working and communication

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Able to work within multi-disciplinary team



Recognise the importance of service user and carer involvement in delivery of care



Able to develop relationships and networks with internal and external agencies and services



Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to a wide variety of professionals in a variety of methods



Provide updates and reports as required related to service users' needs and care both written and verbal



Work within Trust Policy in all matters related to communication of clinical risk, including the need for information sharing



Clearly understand the issues surrounding confidentiality

Personal accountability and responsibility

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Act consistently with legislation, policies, procedures and other quality approaches and promotes the values of quality approaches to others.



Practice within the professional boundaries and code of practice for Assistant Practitioners



Recognise own level of competency and act and seek support when limitations of knowledge or competency are identified



Maintain practice through further study, research, clinical practice and personal development



Work unsupervised and organise own workload and work in a manner which maintains and promotes quality



Keep accurate records in accordance with Trust Policies



Support day to day running of services including co-ordination of staff and daily tasks and training and mentoring of junior staff



Provide leadership for junior staff including supervision; appraisal; and line management



Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to do so.

Equality and Diversity

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Act in ways that support equality and value diversity



Support, promote and value equality and diversity



Develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity



Participate in Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment

Person specification

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Qualifications

Essential criteria

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/mental health or apprenticeship in H&SC/mental health L5 #

Experience

Essential criteria

Working with Service Users with mental health needs Working within Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Working knowledge and understanding of CPA process. #

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to communicate widely in a clear manner Ability to problem solve Confident manner. Approachable, tactful and diplomatic Ability to self-manage time and meet agreed deadlines Satisfactory verbal and written English language skills #

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Risk Assessment Understanding of Mental Health issues CPA #

other

Essential criteria

Able to travel independently Flexible attitude

Please be aware that, due to the high number of applications for certain roles, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

YOUR APPLICATION



We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at recruitment@nsft.nhs.uk.



PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.


As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post may be 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 certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.