Advanced Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview

This is a role within the Psychological Medicine Service older adults team at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The post holder will be joining a well-established and supportive team working with older adults admitted to Royal Berkshire Hospital. The post holder will work 75% of their time with the older adults team and 25% with the working age team. The older adults team work Monday to Friday, 9-5pm, and the working age team work shifts.  Some shift work will be expected. Patients present with mental health or cognitive difficulties in the context of declining physical health and/or neurological or neurodegenerative conditions. The work is dynamic and there are many opportunities to develop close working relationships with specialist departments within Royal Berkshire 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, and a consultant psychiatrist. The older adult service (65+) is a small team and works alongside the working age team within the Psychological Medicine Service at Royal Berkshire Hospital. The overall service is an established Core24 provision, and is PLAN accredited with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

A strong interest in mental health in the context of physical health in old age is essential for this role.

An informal visit to the service is encouraged.

The working hours are Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.

Main duties of the job

• The role will be to provide specialist mental health care to patients who are in Royal Berkshire Hospital

• You will undertake initial assessments of older adults who have been referred by Royal Berkshire Hospital and will focus on their mental health needs but adopting a holistic approach.

• You will offer continued mental health support of patients when necessary while on their journey within Royal Berkshire Hospital

• You will use your skills to formulate a working diagnosis and relevant risk and management plan

• The cases will be complex at times, and you will participate in and lead professionals meetings.

• A collaborative approach will be used included the view of the patients, family, and carers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role:

• RMN or equivalent Professional Qualification

• Broad experience gained over a minimum of two years , acquired by caring for older people with mental health needs in a range of community/inpatient settings

• Minimum 2 years as Band 6 grade in older peoples mental health services

• Evidence of on-going professional development

If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, join us and let’s be outstanding together.

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: [email protected] 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.