Senior Mental Health Practitioner

at  Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

CLINICAL To review referrals of children, young people and their families, providing risk management and signposting advice were appropriate. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions that are agreed with the child and caregiver in accordance with best practice. Ensure comprehensive risk assessment of children, young people and families and that risk management plans are in place and documented. To review plans on a regular basis and discuss in clinical supervision any issues that needs addressing.
To liaise with other agencies in terms of information gathering and sharing. To inform local child protection co-ordinator and senior clinicians of any concerns regarding protection issues. Use audit/outcome measures to measure change/quality in accordance with Specialist CAMHS procedures. To organise own caseload and work schedules in agreement with senior practitioners.
To see families/children in the setting most appropriate for effective and efficient care. Undertake clinical procedures, including the measurement of physical characteristics relevant to their treatment plan e.g. blood pressure, weight etc. Monitor and record/report effects and side effects of any other prescribed psychotropic medication.
Engage and support service users and carers utilising evidence based psychotherapeutic principles. Prescribe and deliver evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions. Act as knowledge resource in specialist area of practice to other team members and other agencies as required. To ensure co-ordinated service user centred care with a proactive role with other involved professionals.
MANAGERIAL To be responsible for the supervision and monitoring of caseloads of junior practitioners as and when required. Participate in the process of clinical supervision. To observe and maintain agreed policies and procedures as defined by the Trust. Participate in Multi-disciplinary Team meetings and other service-related meetings as appropriate.
To inform the lead clinician for the Multi-disciplinary Team of matters that might affect policy decisions. To co-operate with senior clinicians in CAMHS in investigating complaints and mishaps. To participate in in-service training and interagency staff. To undertake any such duties as may be delegated and appropriate according to level of skill and competency.
Follow policies and protocols with regards to children and family services and share relevant information with other agencies as required by Child Protection procedures. Supervised for managerial purposes by the Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager. Participate in the Trusts research, audit and development projects as required. EDUCATION / DEVELOPMENT To supervise and participate in the training of students and other professionals and interagency staff.
To assess and evaluate the progress of students and report the same to the relevant professional discipline and tutorial staff concerned where indicated. To keep-up-to-date with Best Practice relevant to Child and Adolescent Mental Health service and user needs To participate in the induction process of new staff as necessary. To act as advisor on Child and Adolescent Mental Health to other healthcare professionals and interagency staff. Continue personal professional development through a structured appraisal and training process.
Participate in the supervision and practice development of junior staff and students. Undertake annual Individual Performance Appraisal (IPA) and Personal Development Plan with your line manager. Contribute to the continuing development and planning of the Multi-disciplinary Team. Contribute to the continuing developments of the Multi-disciplinary Team.
Provide evidence to support development around the Trust Appraisal system. Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice and be committed to continued development. Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others. To promote and facilitate the education of child and adolescent mental health with children, young people, families, interagency staff and healthcare professionals.
RESEARCH AND AUDIT To maintain accurate systematic, clinical and professional records, as required by the service and in accordance with Trust Policy. To provide statistics as required by the Trust To ensure effective communication between interagency staff and healthcare professionals. This may require the co-ordination of other services as appropriate under the guidance of the senior practitioner

Please refer the Job description for details