Senior Mental Health Practitioner OpCourage

Job overview

To be a Mental Health Nurse or Mental Health Social Worker within the Op Courage service to veterans and “service leavers” with a six month discharge date from Military,  within the North West of England.

As part of the OpCourage North collaborative, assist in triage/ screening referrals for the collaborative, alongside specifically NW clients.

The post consists of hybrid working between office, home base, online/ virtual appointments, face to face and community settings.

Responsibilities include:   • Participation in a Duty rota including liaising with referrers and other services, providing support to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team in relation to risk management and safeguarding issues  • Case management of veterans, clinical interventions and signposting/ liaising with local services.

The service delivery of clinical interventions occurs within a range of venues (including MoD venues) across the North West or home setting where clients’ needs necessitate this.

Main duties of the job

Senior mental health practitioners would be expected to carry out initial face to face mental health, social care and risk assessments using the OpCourage standard assessment (including collecting outcome measures); case management of an assigned group of clients who require on-going monitoring of their mental health and risk management; emotional and practical support; and the delivery of evidence based  interventions supported by the psychological team. The evidence based intervention for the clients identified needs relating to their time in the military with a goal of accessing military attributable therapy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake screening and telephone assessment duties including liaison with referrers and other service providers to ensure clients are treated in the most appropriate service for their needs.   • To provide a thorough psycho-social assessment of the client (aged 18+), this will include a risk assessment, safety plan and care plan.   • To deliver individualised interventions to the client based on individual care plan   • Liaison with local services, MDT’s and 3rd sector organisations.   • To manage own caseload by delivering brief interventions to the client, whilst maintaining and allocating new clients.   • Undertaking initial assessments as part of duty tasks and offering an additional face to face assessment slot weekly to support the brief interventions pathway.   • To conduct a thorough psycho-social assessment of clients referred to the OpCourage Service, to identify their needs and develop a collaborative care plan   • To provide case management and brief interventions for clients with moderate and complex mental health problems where required focus is generally around Military attributable needs, risk to self or others.  • Ensuring referrals to safeguarding children or safeguarding vulnerable adults are made where required in a timely manner.   • Have a good working knowledge of medication that is prescribed within Primary Care.   • To work jointly with colleagues within Op Courage MDT where required.   • To assess clients presenting multiple and complex issues and make decisions regarding the appropriate therapeutic intervention required to meet client’s needs. This may include referral on to another service or modality of treatment.   • To assess risk of harm to self / others or property and take action as appropriate. This may involve breaching of client confidentiality in the interest of the clients or others safety e.g. Safeguarding Children / Adults, acts of terrorism etc. This will be assessed in line with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust policies   • To organise and manage a clinical caseload    • To maintain appropriate electronic records using PC-MIS web based clinical system in line with agreed protocols as directed by Line Manager   • To maintain effective communication and clear and concise documentation for individualised care as per service protocols and Trust policies   • To inform referrer of outcome of assessment and provide a summary of interventions delivered at discharge   • To ensure accurate completion of weekly diary on outlook to ensure following staff safe guidelines in line with trust procedures and policies.   • To co-facilitate therapeutic groups where appropriate and requested by Line Manager   • To act in accordance with requirements for practice- NMC Code of Conduct   • To actively participate in clinical and management supervision    • To provide a resource for discussion for other members of the MDT   • Facilitate communication with colleagues by active participation in team and clinical meetings as required by Team Manager.   • There is an expectation for you to deliver services across the North West. This may include home visits.