Mental Health Practitioner (RMN / SW) | Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Pennine Lancashire is seeking an experienced Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to join our Mental Health Liaison Team, Royal Blackburn Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity and the successful candidate will be part of an evolving service that has the needs of our service users at its heart.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic to come and join a forward thinking, dynamic and constantly developing team.

You must have proven clinical skills along with excellent communication skills, good knowledge and understanding of adult mental health and the needs of individuals in this group. You will also need to have a working knowledge of the care programme approach, NICE guidance and enhanced risk assessment and the ability to explore issues relating to the impact of health and social needs on mental health and well-being.

Undertake comprehensive assessment of service users referred to the Team.

Provide highly developed risk assessment and risk management plans.

To determine the most appropriate course of action for an individual following assessment and MDT meeting and in collaboration with the service users, from a range of available options.

To act in an advisory capacity for all members of the team, on issues relating to mental health.

To communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) in a timely manner to the GP and other relevant professionals/agencies.

To identify safeguarding concerns and act accordingly to local policy.

To provide and receive complex, sensitive and contentious information using developed skills to ensure assessments and care planning can be completed. To be aware of the physical needs of people with mental health problems and assist clients to manage their physical health conditions or refer physical conditions on as appropriate.

Establish therapeutic relationships with clients, relatives and carers.

Refer patients for Clinical interventions based upon evidence based practice in conjunction with NICE guidelines.

To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and subsequent legislation as it affects the client group.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.