Please see our additional info sheet for full details of our service

The Integrated Access Partnership provides both remote and face-to-face triage and assessment of urgent and emergency mental health needs. We are looking for Band 6 Specialist Practitioners to join our innovative and pioneering service on a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment. We also have permeant vacancies available.

This is a 24/7 service but specialist practitioners would not be expected to work overnight, however there is the option to do so. You will work a range of shifts between 0700hrs and 2200hrs, including weekends, rotating across IAP services, which comprise:

• Mental Health Specialist Desk - working in the Ambulance Service's Emergency Operations Centre to triage mental health 999 calls for the most appropriate response
• Mental Health Response Vehicle - responding in a blue-light emergency vehicle to attend directly to patients in mental health crisis
• Urgent Assessment Centre - providing face-to-face assessments, at an alternative location, for patients who would otherwise have attended ED
• Mental Health Clinical Assessment Service - responding to patients with mental health needs who have contacted NHS 111, co-located with physical health urgent care colleagues
• Emergency Services Mental Health Professional Line - providing remote support to police, fire and ambulance service colleagues who are at the scene of a mental health incident.

Main duties of the job

As a Mental Health Specialist Practitioner you will be demonstrating specialist practice and leading by example. You will also help supervise staff and support senior practitioners and the team manager in working towards shared objectives.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues from Police, Ambulance and Fire services, and will be triaging and supporting people of all ages.

Through our collaborative approach, we aim to achieve:

• Reduction in detention for S136 MHA
• Reduction in demand for ambulance resources in relation to mental health
• Improved communication as a result of partnership working
• Improved emergency service confidence in dealing with people suffering mental health issues
• Faster responses to deal with those suffering from mental health problems
• Reduction in numbers of people accessing A& E when this is not the most suitable service for their needs
• Improved information sharing between agencies
• Improved patient outcomes and experience
• Improved working relationships between police and health services
• Reduction in police dispatch to mental health incidents
• Direct access to mental health services
• Collection of relevant data that reflects the effectiveness of the team
• Audit and review of the service provided.

Find out more about the IAP in the information document below and through watching our service video (About the Mental Health Integrated Access Partnership - YouTube).

About us

No two days are the same within the IAP. You will form part of a multi-agency team, working alongside emergency service and physical care colleagues, to support individuals experiencing mental health crisis and requiring an urgent or emergency response. We operate in a change environment, where listening to feedback from our team enables dynamic and responsive changes to practice to be made, to best develop this new model of care.

Our team is composed of a talented pool of both registered and non-registered mental health workers. We have a cohesive, passionate and energetic team of professionals from various backgrounds with a range of mental health experience.

We are leading nationally on innovative processes, including alternative points of conveyance, rapid first response from non-clinicians and integration into NHS 111, with an established response to police, fire and ambulance services.

Across our partnership, we are committed to a culture of wellbeing and personal and professional success among our team. We are proud to offer a comprehensive recognition and wellbeing package, which includes access to wellbeing coaches and employee assistance and menopause support programmes, as well as a seasonal hamper, birthday gifts, social events and team away days.

If you are considering relocating to the region, we can offer up to �8,000 relocation expenses (subject to terms and conditions).

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Result Areas1. In a wide range of situations and locations to undertake the full range of activities required to deliver comprehensive mental health assessment, in an emergency for service users who may be distressed and in crisis. This will include:a. The use of standardised assessment tools i.e. SBAR, Risk Assessmentb. Accessing available information on Ri0 and recording on Ri0c. History, strengths and aspirationsd. Mental statee. Impact of culture and diversityf. Functional needsg. The needs of family and carerh. Evaluation of riski. Physical healthj. Complicating factorsk. Identifying and ensuring specialist involvement where required.l. The interventions and treatments required to enable positive change.m. Social Caren. Safeguarding and public protectiono. Capacity under the Mental Capacity Act

2. To participate in developing comprehensive plans for persons with mental health needs who frequently contact emergency services, including strategies to manage risk for service users with complex needs, bringing in other resources as required.

3. To provide effective liaison with healthcare and other professionals.

4. Coordinating and undertaking protective interventions which maybe required in the protection of others, as outline in the protection plan, taking individual action where indicated.

5. Undertake active clinical leadership and supervision within the team, covering for the manager and colleagues as required.

6. To maintain the single health and social care record, ensuring both paper and electronic records are kept up to date in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

7. To provide mentoring/ training for others in relevant practice areas, according to professional requirements, taking a collaborative approach to practice development and evidence-based care. Specifically this means providing a safe and effective learning environment for the mentoring and supervising of students, participating in their learning objectives and assessments

8. Demonstrate responsibility for developing own practice in line with professional qualifications and for contributing to the development of others, by making use of and providing, effective feedback, supervision, coaching and appraisal.

9. To adhere to professional codes of conduct ensuring required skills and competencies required are maintained.

10. Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, undertaking assessments and taking appropriate action where required. Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of availablefeedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities.

11. Lead, maintain and participate in practices, which enable effective team working.

12. To participate in local arrangements where required to manage unexpected staff absences

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Essential

• Registration relevant for the role
• Evidence of risk management skills
• Previous experience of conducting/leading on front line mental health assessments
• Experience of managing crisis over the telephone/telephone assessment skills

Desirable

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Sound working knowledge of AWP systems or similar
• Previous mental health community experience
• Evidence of recent learning/development
• Evidence of supervising/ supporting staff in a leadership role/ capacity

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bristol - Based either Bradley Stoke or Whitchurch with rotational working.

Bristol

BS32 4QJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-BR235-0923