Community Mental Health Duty Worker

Job overview

Worthing Neighbourhood Mental Health Team Duty Worker

The Worthing Neighbourhood Mental Health Team are looking for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner (Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist & Social Worker) who has a keen interest in working in a supportive multi-disciplinary setting with patients experiencing mental health difficulties. Historically the role of the duty worker was shared between care-coordinators on a rota basis but after a successful trial we are establishing this new role within the team as a sole, full-time, duty worker.

The usual hours of work are Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes.

You will be joining a warm, friendly, highly supportive team of dedicated colleagues who work together to offer the best possible service to the people we see.

This post offers the Trust's £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses & Practitioners, (pro rata and subject to terms and conditions; please see attached Protocol Document for full details).

Main duties of the job

• To maintain patient safety, in collaboration with patients, carers and other team members
• Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of patient harm, abuse or neglect and taking all reasonable steps to protect the patient.
• Provides clinical advice on complex issues to other members of the clinical team and staff from other disciplines.
• Undertakes priority assessments.
• Responsible for decision making and coordination in a crisis situation.
• Take responsibility for the management of complex people who present to the team when their Care Coordinator / Lead Professional is absent from work and the person requires an urgent response.
• Working to support the team where Intensive Home-Based Treatment is required.
• To liaise with other services eg: Police; A & E as required.
• Responsible for participating in the setting of quality standards and offering a consistent approach to people open within the team.
• Support the team to deliver a range of interventions in accordance with the agreed plan of care.
• Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and in writing on patient conditions.
• Support members of the team with other specialist assessments, as required for example, application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005; Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, s42 Care Act regarding Safeguarding Adults and Making Safeguarding Personal.
• To maintain professional standards of care at all time

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Excellent communication skills are needed in the role in regard to communicating with all stakeholders including service users, carers, third sector providers, internal and external agencies and services.

Ideally, we would prefer someone who has experience of supporting service users with mental health problems (and we positively encourage applicants with lived experience). An inclusive and positive attitude is essential. If your current role includes duty work, that will be an advantage in your application. We always provide a robust induction and the wellbeing of our team is always thought about. Supervision, appraisal and training are all highly valued and prioritized.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.