Job overview
The role of the Early Intervention Practitioner is to work in partnership with “At Risk mental state” (ARMS) and First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) service users wrapping care and treatment around hope and aspirations informing their care and recovery plans. They will demonstrate an understanding of clinical interventions evidenced based for this particular care group – including education and support, carer and family psycho-education and risk minimisation planning. The post holder will work at all times flexibly and to promote the safety and the wellbeing of service users and their families/carers. The post holder will assess, plan and implement care, and provide specialist advice.
We are seeking to recruit 1-part time for 30 hours a week, dynamic Band 6 Care Coordinator either a Nurse, Social Worker (SW) or Occupational Therapist (OT) based at Heart of Hounslow.
The individual must be enthusiastic, committed, compassionate and experienced with a good knowledge of the issues and guidance around working with psychosis. In addition, have some experience of working with young people and adults aged 14 to 65 years with a range of complex mental health issues.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner and responsible for a defined caseload of service users by undertaking these duties:
1. To undertake assessments of individuals and their families in the designated care group with complex health presentations, including those service users presenting with higher levels of risk.
2. They will work alongside the service user to develop their care plan along the recovery principles.
3. To offer specialist assessment and advice where required.
4. To assess, manage and regular review on going risks as identified during the assessment, ensuring that this is done in collaboration with the service user and carers.
5. To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
6. To provide supervision of junior staff and trainees where appropriate (mentorship and preceptorship qualifications)
7. To act within the relevant Code of Conduct dependent on your Registration Body.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
8. Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with current professional registration
9. Evidence of recent and ongoing continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
10. Training in CBT-informed or psychosocial interventions
11. Training or experience in family or carer work
12. Relevant specialist training (e.g. CAARMS or equivalent)
13. Evidence of recent or ongoing continuous professional development.
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Post-qualification experience working in mental health services
15. Experience of working within an Early Intervention in Psychosis service, or with people experiencing first episode psychosis
16. Experience of holding and managing a community caseload
17. Experience of care coordination under CPA or key worker arrangements within community mental health services
18. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
19. Experience of risk assessment and risk management in the community
20. Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies and services
Desirable criteria
21. Experience of working with younger adults or within a young-person focused service
22. Experience of working with At Risk Mental State (ARMS) presentations
23. Experience of providing family interventions or supporting carers
24. Experience of contributing to audit, service evaluation or quality improvement activity
25. Experience of supporting students or junior colleagues
Knowledge
Essential criteria
26. Knowledge of the Early Intervention in Psychosis model, including access and waiting time standards, ethos and evidence base
27. Knowledge of NICE clinical guidance relevant to first episode psychosis
28. Sound knowledge of mental health disorders, particularly psychosis, and their interaction with physical health and wellbeing
29. Knowledge of assessment, formulation and care planning within EIP services
30. Knowledge of risk assessment, risk management and positive risk taking
31. Understanding of Care Programme Approach (CPA), the Mental Health Act and Care Act as they apply to EIP
32. Understanding of recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches to care
Desirable criteria
33. Knowledge of outcome measures and tools used to support evidence-based EIP practice
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
34. Ability to undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments
35. Ability to coordinate care and maintain oversight of care and risk plans
36. Ability to work autonomously within scope of practice
37. Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
38. Strong verbal and written communication skills
39. Ability to engage service users and carers in a holistic, recovery-focused manner
40. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Desirable criteria
41. Ability to contribute to service development, audit or quality improvement work
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
42. Effective interpersonal skills
43. Commitment to working with people experiencing early psychosis and their families/carers
44. Good time management and record keeping skills
45. Commitment to continuing professional development
46. Ability to work under pressure and manage stress appropriately
47. Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of service users
Desirable criteria
48. Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities
Values & Behaviours
Essential criteria
49. Demonstrates behaviours aligned with Trust values, including: orespectful and compassionate practice ohonesty and professionalism owillingness to listen, engage and work collaboratively oleading by example in day-to-day practice