Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview

South Central Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that due to the successful Mental Health Response Practitioner role that is delivered in partnership with Southern Health, we are now looking to recruit additional Band 6 Paramedics/Nurses to substantive positions.

This specialist service provides a response to patients suffering with both mental health and physical health illness within the pre-hospital environment. The successful applicant will be part of a specialist response vehicle that is manned by a Southern Health Mental Health Practitioner and SCAS Band 6 Paramedic/Nurse. This collaborative response provides a more tailored and proactive approach to supporting patients suffering from Mental Health Illness who may also have a physical health need. The Mental Health Practitioner’s specialist knowledge provides confidence in appropriate management of specific Mental Health conditions and presentations, as well as having the ability to access patients’ medical records and knowledge of pathways not usually available to ambulance staff.

You will be based at Nursling Resource Centre, Southampton, and through liaison with our Urgent Care  Desk and the Mental Health team within 111, you will be mobilised to appropriate calls across all areas of Hampshire. The service will operate seven days a week and will predominantly involve working late shifts due to the nature of demand, and therefore will attract Section 2 Unsocial payments accordingly.

Main duties of the job

Undertake the full range of paramedic duties in line with the Trust’s operational instructions.

Assess, treat, manage or refer, and where appropriate, convey patients according to the nature and severity of their condition to alternative care pathways. As appropriate, provide packages of care to patients at home

Carry out paramedic duties commensurate with national clinical practice guidelines and Trust specific PGD’s and guidelines.

Ability to organise and manage the scene of a complex incident during initial stages until a Manager/Commander arrives. This could involve  organising or managing patients, bystanders or other responding services

Undertake duties in relation to major incidents including exercises which  may require call out when off duty in accordance with the Trust’s Major  Incident Procedure.

Modify and adapt working practices to meet the clinical needs of the patient in an emergency and urgent care setting.

As appropriate, treat refer or discharge patients who access the health  service but who do not need hospital admission where clinically safe to do so.

Utilise appropriate and relevant information to assist patients, patient  advocates or carers to make informed health choices in line with national  guidance and the health promotion and prevention agenda.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dynamically assess scene and identify environmental and clinical risks  to patients, self and colleagues taking appropriate action to minimise them where possible and ensure safety.

Identify safeguarding concerns and ensure these are reported and documented in an appropriate manner.

Take responsibility for own health and wellbeing, promoting the ongoing care of physical and mental wellbeing in order to meet the requirements of the role.

To abide by the NHS and Trust values and the NHS Constitution, all staff  must maintain the highest standards of care and service treating  everyone with dignity and respect whilst promoting a non-discriminatory,  inclusive culture.