The primary purpose of the role of the Assistant Practitioner / Nursing Associate for Physical Health in Severe Mental Illness (SMI) is to support the physical health clinical lead nurses in the delivery of a patient-focussed programme of work to improve the physical health of people with a serious mental illness (SMI). Your focus will be providing physical health checks and interventions for people with serious mental illness who may also have physical co-morbidities. You will be a Registered Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner with experience of working with people with SMI and/or long-term conditions.
The Service is Nurse-Led working Mon-Fri 9am-5pm covering the east of Berkshire, and on some occasions localities in the west. We were nominated in the Trust’s All-Star Award for our enthusiasm and commitment to improving the Physical Health of People with SMI.
You will be comfortable working in a busy environment and proficient at engaging with people who experience health inequalities or difficulty accessing services.
The role requires close collaboration and liaison with CMHT colleagues, as well as external partners, primarily GPs / primary care colleagues, other health providers, health promotion and voluntary sector organisations.
The post holder will be responsible, under the guidance of a qualified professional, for delivering specific physical health care intervention to patients within the Community Mental Health Team [CMHT]. This will include venepuncture, ECG and physical health monitoring e.g. blood pressure, weight etc. and appropriate interventions and health promotion.
The role will support CMHT staff and other members of the MDT in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of effective, evidenced based care to promote the physical health of people with mental illness.
The post holder will be responsible for setting up and running physical health and well-being clinics as well as providing this service into patients’ homes. The role may also occasionally support the clozapine service
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. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

1. A passion for physical health care that matches our passion to provide excellent healthcare for people with serious mental Illness who may also have physical comorbidities.
2. A Registered Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner with experience of working with people with SMI and / or long -term conditions and the ability to undertake phlebotomy, ECG and vital signs recording & monitoring.
3. You will be comfortable working in a busy environment and proficient at engaging with people who experience health inequalities or difficulty accessing services
4. You will be required to have access to your own vehicle and a valid driving licence enabling you to travel to clinics and patients’ homes
   Working in a passionate team, you will have access to our Trust-wide Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth, with opportunities to help you build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, enabling you to extend your skills and ensure that you excel.
   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.
   We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
   We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Charlotte Lister on 07976 652914 or email: charlotte.lister@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.
   Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible