JOB DESCRIPTION
Oxford Health NHS FT
Job Title: Community Mental Health Practitioner
(CPN)
Band: 6
Responsible to: Team Manager
Accountable to: Professional Lead
Place of work: Banbury
Hours: The AMHTs operate a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. Post
holders working within the AMHTs will be expected to
work flexible hours to cover the shift patterns (7am – 3pm,
9am – 5pm and 12pm – 8pm. Staff working within the
service may also be required to work from 8pm to 7am to
cover the teams out of hours provision.
Staff working in AMHTs may be required to work flexibly
between the assessment and treatment functions in order
to meet the needs of the service.
Author: David Warren
Creation Date: 19 August 2021
Last Updated: 19 August 2021
Document Ref:
Version: 1
JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will work within the Adult Mental Health Team, providing mental health
treatment in the community for patients with mental health needs identified within Cluster
4-17., supporting patients to work towards their own recovery. The post holder will act as
CPA Care Coordinator for a defined case load. The post holder will also provide home
treatment for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team to, assess, plan and implement patient
specific programmes of care/interventions under the Care Programme Approach, contributing to
the continuous assessment of patients.
2. To undertake complex mental health assessments using your professional knowledge and skills
and evidence-based practice.
3. To function effectively across a variety of environments (e.g., ward, department, homes etc.)
involving changing and demanding conditions
4. To use a comprehensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate
effectively with patients, their carers and families and colleagues. This may include people who
may have difficulties with understanding or communication.
5. To work in partnership with patients to agree goals and treatment proposals, gaining valid
informed consent
6. To have a working knowledge and understanding of the relevant legal frameworks: Mental Health
Act, Mental Capacity Act, NHS and Community Care Act, National Assistance Act.
7. To work in partnership with patients to assess their progress against mutually agreed goals,
amending care plan as appropriate.
8. To deliver a range of therapeutic interventions in line with professional requirements (appendix 1)
and in accordance with the job specification
9. To be responsible for own time management and the prioritisation of a caseload.
10. To participate in clinical/professional and managerial supervision and provide practice / clinical
supervision to designated registered and non-registered staff within the AMHT.
11. To participate in the Trust appraisal process
12. To delegate appropriate duties to junior registered and support staff, providing relevant direction
and oversight.
13. Together with colleagues, develop comprehensive contingency plans in the event of a crisis with
patients, families and carers.
14. To manage patient discharge in a safe and timely manner, ensuring liaison with primary care
colleagues: to ensure that family and carers are where appropriate advised of the patients
discharge arrangements: with timely completion of documentation.
15. Present funding requests to the Social Care funding panel
16. To attend designated team meetings,
17. To participate in the clinical education and support of members of the AMHT and the wider
Community Service, non-registered staff and students.
18. To manage and contain stressful and emotional situations in an
empathetic manner supporting patients and their families and
colleagues.
19. To develop partnership working with all relevant agencies/services/individuals to support optimal
care for patients.
20. To undertake a competency assessment and any required training if extending Scope of
Professional Practice.
21. To use the care clustering packages to inform and develop plans of care.
22. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and
maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. This will also support requirements for
registrations with the HCPC/NMC.
23. To undertake professional leadership roles as required
Other Responsibilities:
1. To ensure confidentiality and security of patient data is maintained at all times complying with
OHFT Policies and procedures in line with the Data Protection Act.
2. To ensure all electronic records are updated and complete within the standard for the Trust (e.g.
24 hours for progress notes)
3. To attend appropriate statutory and mandatory training courses in line with requirements of the
role.
4. To maintain standards of professional practice as required by relevant professional body.
5. To participate and lead in service improvement initiatives
6. To carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by a manager of the Trust to ensure quality
of service.
Working Relationships
Working relationships will be maintained with:
ï· Local Adult Mental Health Teams and Inpatient Services
ï· Departments within the Trust
ï· Other working partners including GPs, CCGs, Health and Social Care Services, Third Sector
colleagues and Patient and Carer Representatives.
This job description is not restrictive or definitive in any way and should be regarded only as a guideline
to the duties required and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following
consultation with the post holder. The job description does not form part of the Contract of
Employment.
STRUCTURE CHART
AMHT Manager
Team Manager
Community Mental Health Practitioner
CODE OF CONDUCT
All staff are required to work in accordance with their professional
group’s code of conduct (e.g., NMC, GMC, DoH Code of Conduct for Senior Managers).
This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is
not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation
with the post holder.
In addition to undertaking the duties as outlined above, the post-holder will be expected to fully
adhere to the following:
Personal Development
ï· To actively participate in an annual performance review (appraisal) and the development and
implementation of a personal development plan.
ï· To take responsibility for their own professional development ensuring professional
standards are maintained and statutory and mandatory training is in date.
ï· To attend any training as requested.
Code of Conduct
ï· To adhere to the Professional Code of Conduct relating to your profession (if applicable).
ï· To uphold the principles and values set out in the NHS Code of Conduct for Managers.
ï· To support the organisation in developing an effective work/life balance for employees that
meets the needs of the organisation.
ï· To ensure that the health and wellbeing of patients is at the centre of all activities and that all
staff engage and communicate with patients as appropriate.
ï· To always promote quality and safety of patients, visitors and staff thus enabling the Trust to
meet its regulation requirements (Care Quality Commission Registration – Regulations and
Outcomes) that relate most directly to patients and also strive for continuous quality
improvement.
Equal Opportunities/Diversity
ï· To observe Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy providing
equality of treatment and opportunity to employees, service users and service providers
irrespective of sex, sexuality, age, marital status, ethnic origin or disability.
Health & Safety
ï· To take responsibility for the health & safety of themselves and other persons who may be
affected by their omissions or actions at work.
ï· To promote the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and ensure matters are managed in
accordance with it.
ï· To co-operate with the Trust to ensure that statutory and departmental regulations are
adhered to.
ï· Report accidents, incidents and near misses, implementing corrective action where necessary.
Infection Control
ï· To comply with Trust policies for infection control and hand hygiene such as hand hygiene,
decontamination Policy, uniform and workwear code and standard precautions Policy to
reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).
ï· Employees with clinical responsibilities must incorporate into their clinical activities up to
date evidence that supports safe infection control practices and procedures, such as the use
of aseptic techniques and the safe disposal of sharps.
Confidentiality and Data Security
ï· To comply fully with the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Trust’s Information
Governance Policy.
ï· To comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations
(GDPR), National Data Security Standards and any professional code of practice on
Confidentiality and Data Protection as accepted by the Trust. Departmental codes of practice
and procedures for confidentiality are available from the head of department.
ï· To ensure that all information collected, stored and used is done so in compliance with the
above Act and any relevant Trust Policy.
ï· To preserve the confidentiality of any information regarding patients, staff records in your
area (in connection with their employment) and the Trust business. This obligation shall
continue in perpetuity.
ï· To raise any matters of concern with your Manager/Director
Safeguarding
ï· To recognise that promoting the welfare and safeguarding children, young people and adults
is everyone’s business and access training and supervision as appropriate to the role.
ï· To support the organisation in ensuring service users are protected from abuse or the risk of
abuse and their human rights are respected and upheld.
ï· To ensure concerns are responded to appropriately in line with the Trust’s Safeguarding
Adults Policy and the Child Protection Policy and interagency safeguarding procedures.
ï· To comply with recruitment and other checks as requested by the organisation including
undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau.
Other
ï· To be aware of and work in line with all Trust policies and procedures.
ï· To carry out any other tasks as reasonably directed.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Band: 6
Criteria for Selection Essential Requirements Desirable Requirements
Knowledge
Requirements
ï· Please see below
Qualifications –
Academic/Skills/Professional
ï· Registered Professional
Qualification (Mental
Health Nurse,)
ï· Evidence of Continuing
Professional Development
(CPD) portfolio
ï· Post graduate education
specifically relating to
client group (Post basic
qualification in
community care/
research awareness/
management)
ï· Approved Mental Health
Professional
Further Training or Job Related
Aptitude and Skills
ï· To be IT literate
ï· To have excellent English
verbal and written
communication skills
ï· To be able to prioritise
effectively
ï· To show evidence of sound
problem solving skills
ï· To be able to work
collaboratively as part of a
team
ï· To understand the legal
responsibilities of the
profession
ï· To have experience and be
competent in Risk
Management
ï· A specialist knowledge and
clinical expertise in
community mental health
in line with professional
requirements (see
appendix1).
ï· Demonstrate an
understanding of clinical
risk assessment and
management
ï· To have a developed
understanding of Clinical
Governance
ï·
ï· To understand the legal
frameworks within which
you have to practice
ï· To maintain professional
accountability and
professional registration. To
demonstrate English verbal
and written
Experience ï· To have experience of
working within a
multidisciplinary team
ï· To have relevant experience
in community care and
have specific clinical
expertise in mental health
ï· Formal /informal teaching
including supervising
student placements
ï· Providing clinical and or
managerial supervision
ï· Clinical audit
ï· To have an understanding
of AMHTs and
interdisciplinary working
ï· To have experience of
supervising other staff
ï· To be able to carry out
moderate to intense
physical effort throughout
the working day and carry
out concurrent activities
ï· Experience of
supervising/managing
staff
ï· Experience of providing
leadership Non-medical
prescriber.
Personal Qualities ï· To be able to manage in a
stressful working
environment.
ï· Adaptable and flexible
ï· Able to use own initiative
when appropriate
ï· Keen to learn
ï· Team player
ï· Reliable
ï· Able to challenge and be
challenged
ï· Able to build rapport
ï·
Contractual Requirements or
other requirements
ï· To comprehend and work
within the Trust policies of
data protection, equal
opportunities, Health &
Safety and to meet the
ï·
diverse needs of patients
ï· Own car or access to
alternative travel for
business use
ï· Able to travel to undertake
work and have the capacity
carry equipment relative to
your post
ï· Able to comply with
Manual Handling policies
and guidelines
ï· Able to comply with the
PMVA requirements for this
post which are breakaway
and de-escalation skills.
Profession Specific Skills
All of these professions should be competent in delivering a range of psycho-social intervention skills.
Mental Health Nursing
1. Physical Health Skills – Advanced knowledge of common physical health conditions and their
management, and an ability to monitor physical health conditions and wellbeing
2. Advanced knowledge of medications and their effects, including side effects and the management
of side effects.
3. Psycho-educational family approaches
4. Work with patients who exhibit negative symptoms such as low motivation.
5. Assisting patients to meet their activities of daily living and helping them to attain their optimum
level of functioning.
6. Champion Bio-Psychosocial approaches to care