Senior Mental Health Practitioner Psychological Medicine

at  Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Interviews will be held on 28 May 2024.
This is a very rewarding role within Adult team at East Berkshire Psychological Medicine, based at Wexham Park Hospital. The role would suit an experienced practitioner from a mental health nursing background or other similar profession.
The post holder will be joining a well-established and supportive team working with adults requiring mental health input in Wexham Park Hospital. The team supports patients within the Emergency Department as well as medical wards across the hospital. The work is dynamic and there are many opportunities to develop close working relationships with specialist departments within Wexham Park Hospital as well as with other mental health services.
The post is within a supportive multidisciplinary team of mental health practitioners, including mental health nurses, psychologists, and a full-time consultant psychiatrist. The adult service is a small team and works alongside the older adult team within the East Berkshire Psychological Medicine Service at WPH. The overall service is an established Core24 provision, and is accredited with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about providing a holistic approach to care and displays a high level of compassion.
An informal visit to the service is encouraged.
The role involves shift working as the service runs 24 hours per day , 7 days per week and you will be expected to work various shifts. Staff work long days.
You will respond to referrals from the Emergency Department and wards, and complete full psychosocial assessment including identifying risk and formulate a safe discharge plan. In addition you will liaise with other departments and services as necessary to progress a safe discharge.
The inclusive age range is 16 years and above. The post holder will be responsible for the formulation, execution and evaluation of a care plan, including signposting to other services. You will ensure that each individual plan is developed in consultation/agreement with the patient and informed by the wider multidisciplinary team. You will operate within a multidisciplinary team and will be responsible for the delivery of care, risk management and evaluation of care, emphasising individual service user’s recovery. From time to time you will operate within the local Acute Trust as a senior practitioner, providing advice and specialist assessments to formulate appropriate plans of care, including signposting to other services. You will direct and supervise junior staff and / or students in the delivery of care to the post holders allocated service users or as required by the clinical team lead. You will work collaboratively with CRHTT regarding gatekeepers to hospital in-patient beds and Local Crisis Beds. You will be confident in taking positive risk in accordance with the Trust Policy around Risk Assessment and management.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

1. RMN or equivalent Professional Qualification
2. Broad experience gained over a minimum of two years , acquired by caring for people with mental health needs in a range of community/inpatient settings
3. Minimum 2 years as Band 6 within mental health services
4. Evidence of on-going professional development
   For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.
   If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!
   We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Sue Barclay on 07890 606956, or email: suzanne.barclay@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
   We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required