Job Description

Role Overview

To provide effective and timely care within a multidisciplinary team setting for Older People who present with functional and/or organic mental health problems.

Key Responsibilities

• To assess care needs, devise care plans based on dialog+, carry out risk assessment and implement and evaluate these in collaboration with individual service users and also their carers, where appropriate.
• To support and mentor less experienced staff, support workers and teach students from related professional backgrounds who are on placement with the CMHT.
• To undertake duties designed to extend clinical and managerial expertise as delegated by the Deputy CMHT manager when required. This will include deputising in the absence of the Principle Practitioner.
• Carry overall responsibility for the management of a caseload in the role of Key worker /care manager, as defined by the Dialog+ approach and other government and local directives. Ensure that the service of the CMHT i.e. nursing, social care, occupational therapy and psychology is carried out effectively within a multidisciplinary framework and in collaboration with other agencies. Maintain contact with service users on their caseload during periods of admission, including attendance at MDT meetings. To take lead in the planning and implementation of the client’s re-integration back into the community.
• Provide service users and their carers with a service that is culturally sensitive and gives due consideration to any special needs.
• Provide therapeutic interventions by means of assessment and ongoing treatment in various settings. Design care programmes in line with risk assessment and psychosocial needs. In consultation with MDT colleagues discharge service users in line with Trust and CMHT policies and procedures.
• Participate in the Duty System as the Duty Officer or ‘Backup’ providing a Direct Access mental health service to the community. Be responsible for the screening of all new referrals, arrange assessments, provide advice and refer to other agencies as appropriate.