As an Assessment Coordinator you will have a lead role in the assessment and management of referrals to the team of young people and adults who are suspected of experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis and/or At Risk Mental State. You will have a real commitment to this client group and be willing to work across services, including developing relationships with those that refer into the service. You will be supported by the Team Manager, existing team and through clinical and managerial supervision. As a band 6 you will be expected to offer advice and supervision as required to other mental health professionals within the Multi-Disciplinary Team and to contribute to on-going service developments.

Main duties of the job

• To identify the needs of service users by utilising Trust approved and evidence based assessment tools (PANSS and CAARMs-training can be provided).
• Manage the care of those identified as being in prolonged assessment and those on waiting lists for intervention.
• Act as a Care Coordinator for a small caseload including offering assessment and intervention within a psychosocial framework of practice
• Offer advice and supervision to other mental health professionals within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Support the development of the service including promotion of the service to other agencies

About us

As a team we are committed to learning and development to ensure that staff feel supported and have the skills to improve the outcomes of our service users. This has enabled staff to undertake specialist training in Family Intervention and CBT in psychosis.

Job description Job responsibilities

Main clinical duties and responsibilities

• To act as the initial point of contact and liaison for the service for referrals to the team; offering advice and direction around suitability of referral for the team
• To coordinate and manage referrals into the service ensuring that the 2 week referral to treatment standard is met.
• To act as a specialist assessment worker, carrying out the screening and assessment of all referrals to the service including the use of specialist validated assessment tools
• To employ an assertive outreach approach to increase levels of engagement
• To identify risk and implement and evaluate risk management plans
• To support individuals who are considered to require further prolonged assessment to determine the nature of their presentation acting as a key worker
• To maintain contact with individuals following assessment who are identified as having ARMS, who are on a wait list for psychological intervention.
• To support the process in organising a response to the care needs of other assessment workers and care coordinators in their absence

Please see the Job Description for full responsibilities.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential

• Registered mental health nurse(RMN/Diploma/Degree_, Occupational Therapist or Social Work qualification
• Qualified to post graduate level or equivalent worked experience relevant to the role

Desirable

• Approved Mental Health Practitioner
• Mentorship/Practice Leadership qualification

Experience Essential

• Experience of conducting high quality assessments including risk assessments and implementing risk management plans
• Experience in the use of psychosis specific semi-structured interviews (Eg PANSS; CAARMS; PSTRATS)
• Experience in giving clinical supervision
• Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience working with clients with serious mental illness and their families/carers
• Experience of care coordinating complex packages of care

Desirable

• Experience in early intervention for psychosis eg; specialist placement; previous employment in early intervention service, participation in research trial or personal experience
• Experience of managing Community Treatment Orders.

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of the ethos and philosophy of early interventions to support their clinical practice
• A high level of knowledge around early intervention for psychosis

Desirable

• Knowledge of research in psychosocial interventions and clinical implication
• A high level of knowledge about the guidance and evidence base for interventions for those with psychosis and an at risk mental state

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Able to organise, plan and implement own work and oversee that of others
• Able to work to set workload deadlines and to coordinate staff to achieve same
• To be self motivated and to manage time effectively
• An ability to interact appropriately and professionally with colleagues
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable

• Experience of delivering service presentations and liaison to outside agencies to encourage referrals

Work related circumstances Essential

• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
• Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of this post in accordance with the Trusts equal opportunities and diversity policies
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

311-T331-22-D