Senior Mental Health Practitioner (MH / LD Nurse)

We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated & enthusiastic Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) post with the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental disorder team (FIND) based at Easby House.

The FIND Team is managed within the Secure Services directorate in Devon Partnership NHS Trust. This role is in the FIND team which is based in the Community Forensic Services (CFS). The CFS is comprised of three teams including the Specialist Community Forensic team (SCFT), FIND and the Forensic Personality Disorder service (FPDs). Since 2021 the CFS have been working to integrate the management of the SCFT, FIND and FPD teams to ensure a single point of entry to the service, centralising triage and gatekeeping functions. This is an exciting opportunity to join our FIND team at one of the country's most respected providers of secure mental health services.

FIND aims to reduce length of stay for secure care patients with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disability (LD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and/or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and reduce the use of out of area or specialist placements in order to support / facilitate the use of South West network beds. This involves the development of a structured approach of direct work with patients (e.g. intervention, specialist assessment, case management) as well as indirect work with staff teams (e.g. consultation, training, supervision).

Job description

For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Please note on this occasion the post is only open to applicants with a Mental Health / Learning Disability NMC professional registration.

Person specification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• An understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Health Capacity Act requirements

Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities

Understanding of recovery principles

Good working knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA, CeTR and risk assessment and management

Training and presentation skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Group work skills

Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings

Ability to assess and develop plans to manage risk.

Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and ethical issues.

Skilled in assessing, planning and evaluating profession specific interventions.

Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal and professional boundaries

Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans, including complex multi-agency care plans

Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Excellent self-management skills and ability to set own priorities

Ability to take initiative and develop new ideas

To support patients with their medication. This may include administration on IM medication as per relevant policies

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area
• To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, to think quickly and to deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner

Experience

Essential

• Established learning disability, autism and acquired brain injury experience
• Experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload of clients with a range of complex forensic needs
• Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
• Experience of clinical supervision for qualified and/or support staff
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Understanding of current issues within secure services, clinical governance issues, practice education and implications for your chosen profession
• Application of health and safety and risk management policies
• Awareness of the implications of long-term institutional care
• Understanding of team dynamics

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Professional Registration (Mental Health / Learning Disability)
• Post graduate qualification relevant to forensic mental health
• Student supervisor/assessor or Practice Educator accreditation or equivalent
• Evidence of Post Graduate Courses, on-going training and development in theory and practice in chosen profession.

About the employer

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.