Lead Practitioner - Hastings Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, progressive Early Intervention in Psychosis Service based in Hasting and Rother area, supporting clients with First Episode Psychosis to have a positive, hopeful and meaningful experience of mental health services.

We are looking to recruit a full-time Occupational Therapist, Mental Health Nurse or Social Worker to work as a Lead Practitioner, to complement our existing multidisciplinary Early Intervention in Psychosis service based at Bexhill Health Centre in Bexhill. Hastings Early Intervention Service is a small team of passionate and creative individuals, offering a wide range of specialisms.

If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of those living with Psychosis and their recovery, using your professional training and skills, please apply.

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

The successful applicant will support a small caseload of clients aged 14-65, with suspected/ confirmed First Episode Psychosis or At-Risk Mental State in the community from point of referral to discharge, providing effective care co-ordination for up to 3 years.

Through developing therapeutic relationships, you will work collaboratively with clients to create person centred care and treatment plans which aim to reduce their distress, maintain independence, prevent relapse, promote recovery and social inclusion. Involving and working with friends and family members seen as a key component to the way care is delivered.

Previous experience of supporting clients with mental health and social care difficulties is beneficial, and you will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to support those presenting with First Episode of Psychosis. It is important the successful applicants have a keen interest in understanding the principles and ethos of early intervention and this client group. You can find out more information about our approach here: What is Early Intervention in Psychosis? (likemind.nhs.uk)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role of Lead Practitioners is to work in partnership with service users with complex health and social care needs, developing their care and recovery plans to enable them to lead fulfilling lives, using NICE recommended interventions and an assertive outreach approach. The successful applicants will demonstrate an understanding of interventions relevant to clients with Psychosis, working closely with carers, families and partner agencies to facilitate this.

The post holder will work at all times to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers. They will be involved in the triaging and assessment of referrals to the services, as well as assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and carry out specialist assessments.

For more details, please see Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are looking to increase your community experience or want to gain experience of working in a specialist mental health service, please don't hesitate to contact Norman Lusted for more information.

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.