Job summary

We are Transforming Mental Health Care in Somerset and have an exciting opportunity to join an expanding Dual Diagnosis Team within our community services. We are seeking a highly motivated and passionate person to take up the post within the Somerset Coast Community Mental Health Service based in Bridgwater.

Substance misuse in mental health is the expected, not the unusual, with national estimates sometimes as high as 80% within certain areas and patient groups, most notably those with serious mental illness. You will be part of the local community mental health service but work specifically with clients suffering from both disorders, focusing on and supporting all other staff in the clinical management of this patient group.

This post is a permanent position and the post holder will be allowed to prescribe within the role if you are already a non-medical prescriber. You will be supported by the trust to complete the training; there will be an expectation to work towards this qualification as prescribing is a highly beneficial part of the role although not essential.

You will be supported and empowered in your role to lead and inspire your colleagues in the treatment of substance misuse, ensuring appropriate caseload management, complex risk assessment and formulation whilst providing social support and delivering brief motivational interventions for clients with dual disorders.

Main duties of the job

You will work alongside patients with co-existing substance misuse and mental illness, carrying and managing a specialist clinical caseload and give specialist consultation and supervision within your local area across both community and urgent care services.

You will work within a clear leadership structure, yet be instrumental in working across the community settings in Somerset to offer and support well-informed assessment, formulation and treatment planning in line with national guidance.

You will sit within the community mental health service management structure but will be clinically supervised and supported by the Trust's Dual Diagnosis Clinical Lead. You will be a core member of the community mental health team providing integrated stage focused treatment and support colleagues across the community service to ensure mainstreaming of service provision for patients with dual disorders takes place.

You will need to have a strong understanding of dual treatments and foster and lead on positive joint working practice with the local drug and alcohol agencies and recovery networks within your area.

You will receive support and guidance from the rest of the team and be part of a clear managerial and clinical supervision structure as well as a focus on your own personal and professional development through the Trust's PDR process. The service has a very positive, supportive and dynamic culture that you would be expected to contribute to and benefit from.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centers like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!

Relocation packages are available.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To take a lead in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of interventions for people with a Dual Diagnosis within a designated geographical area or as required by the Service
• To work within the framework of the Trusts Individual Care Programme Approach (ICPA), ensuring evidenced- based practice is reflected throughout the process of recovery focused interventions
• To work within the principles of the Trusts Dual Diagnosis Policy and to help with early identification of people who might benefit from the service and/or who might be diagnosable with co-existing disorders
• To act as Care Coordinator for a caseload of people diagnosable with a Dual Diagnosis, assessing their needs, and developing their recovery care plan, coordinating and reviewing their care and treatment outlined in the plan, offering direct individual and group interventions to these and other service users where appropriate
• To provide group interventions if agreed within a local job plan
• To guide assessment, formulation and treatment planning for people with a Dual Diagnosis by other Care Coordinators and/or by community and inpatient teams. This will include taking a lead in developing formulations for service users and to promote best practice in positive risk management amongst teams working with this client group.
• To work collaboratively and flexibly with the multi-professional teams in the community and inpatients wards to co-ordinate a coherent psychological approach towards Dual Diagnosis in the Trust, actively promoting continuity of care and approach between Wards & Community Teams

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RMN OR Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy OR Social Work; OR other relevant health or social care professional qualification
• Expertise within dual diagnosis across a range of procedures underpinned by relevant psychological /psychosocial theory

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescribing or willing to work towards
• High level of understanding around drug effects, interactions and impact on mental health presentation

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-DC5308192