Are you an innovative, creative, and motivated professional looking for your next challenge? We have an exciting opportunity to join our well-established Purbeck  Community Mental Health Team.

As a Mental Health Practitioner, you will manage a dedicated caseload of patients with Serious Mental Illness, providing person-centred, evidence-based interventions to support their recovery. You will have a working knowledge of current biopsychosocial models of care and a passion for promoting optimum health and wellbeing.

We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach. You will receive regular clinical and peer supervision, with ample opportunities to develop your skills in evidence-based psychological therapies and advanced nursing practice. It is a particularly exciting time to join us, as we are currently implementing a major transformation plan across Dorset HealthCare.

Role Details:

• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
• Location: Wareham Hospital, Streche Road, Wareham 

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Main duties of the job

You will work within our integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which includes Consultant Psychiatrists, Nurses,  Therapists, Social Workers, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Support Time Recovery Workers, Employment Specialist, Access Wellbeing Co-ordintors, a Physical Health Worker, and our Psychology Team.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Clinical Care: Delivering targeted interventions to aid recovery and wellbeing.
• Nursing Specialisms: If you are a Registered Nurse, you will be rostered to the Depot Clinic, assist with phlebotomy (if trained), and contribute to the management of the Clozaril Clinic.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Acting as a mentor and assisting with the induction and training of new staff.
• Communication: Maintaining effective links with our Inpatient and Crisis Services, ensuring seamless aftercare for discharged patients and clear communication with families and visitors.  

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. 

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves. 

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements.  Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Person specification

Business Travel

Essential criteria

• Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Role Specific

Essential criteria

• Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care; Risk assessment and management; Proven communication skills (written and oral)

Knowledge; skills and training

Essential criteria

• Registered Mental Nurse / Occupational Therapist/Social Worker; valid registration with NMC or equivalent body; Evidence of continuous professional development

Job Specific

Essential criteria

• The ability to prioritise and meet deadlines; organise work of self and others; supervising, teaching and assessing; self-motivated with the ability to motivate others; effective resource management;
• Uses initiative and can make decisions. Manages difficult situations effectively.
• Skills in managing complex cases.
• Works well in a multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

• Competent computer skills, experience inputting information on RIO
• Awareness of Primary Care and Steps to Wellbeing.
• Able to organise and co-ordinate services during the absence of more senior staff.
• Knowledge of clinical Governance and a commitment to clinical supervision.
• Extensive post graduate experience in working in community mental health.
• Inter-agency working.

At Dorset HealthCare we want to offer all our staff the opportunity to work flexibly, putting health and wellbeing first, whilst continuing the delivery of excellent patient care. Flexible working looks different for everyone and we welcome applicants to discuss flexible working opportunities with the recruiting manager.

What working for us will provide: 

• 27 days of annual leave, rising to 33 over ten years (for staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions)
• Excellent NHS pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing services
• Flexible working options, including family-friendly hours
• Free training and one-to-one career coaching to reach your career goals
• Preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses and AHPs
• Access to nine staff networks – have a voice and transform our Trust
• Relocation costs where applicable
• Salary sacrifice scheme opportunities – including childcare vouchers, car lease and cycle scheme, home technology equipment, and buying annual leave
• NHS discounts to save on your shopping, gym membership and more