First Responder (Mental Health Practitioner)

Job overview

Hi, I’m Jade, the Interim Team Leader for the First Response Service (FRS). I initially joined the team as a First Responder, having trained as a mental health nurse. My passion for supporting individuals in mental health crises and helping them access essential care and support led me to FRS. We benefit from a fantastic and experienced multidisciplinary team, providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a full-time Mental Health First Responder within our First Response Service. We provide 24-hour access to mental health services for individuals of all ages experiencing a mental health crisis. If you join us, you will be part of a pioneering and award-winning team, working closely with community agencies such as the police, ambulance services, and local authorities to develop short-term contingency plans for those in crisis. Our shift patterns are 08:00-20:00, 11:00-23:00, and 20:00-08:00, ensuring round-the-clock support.

Our First Responders conduct thorough assessments and work collaboratively to develop crisis and safety plans, ensuring appropriate support is identified which may include onwards referrals. A strong foundation in risk management and safety planning is crucial for our new First Responder to effectively support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Main duties of the job

Conduct telephone triage and community face-to-face assessments for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Provide brief clinical risk assessments, mental health formulations, and develop short-term contingency plans for callers using 111 option 2 or referrals from other professionals.

Work closely with other mental health services, police, ambulance services, and local authorities.

Implement brief solution-focused interventions to empower patients, carers, and families in problem-solving and decision-making.

Collaboratively Develop safe and appropriate care plans, utilizing strong communication and assessment skills.

Good understanding of the resources offered by other external agencies in order to offer people the support they require for their personal and specific needs.

*We would encourage applicants to make contact and arrange a visit of the service prior to applying, so you get an insight into what the service provides*

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

• Provide evidence based clinical interventions, making autonomous clinical decisions about own professional practice.
• Responsibility for the development, planning and implementation of brief care and treatment interventions for individual patients within First Response.
• Provide assessment, planning and implementation of individual packages of care and treatment.
• Ensure that individual episodes of care are delivered in a timely, effective and integrated manner.