Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,682.00 to £46,580.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £38682.00 - £46580.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 31 January 2026 |
| Location: | Plymouth, PL4 7PY |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | B9832-2026-NM-10123 |
Summary
The role works across multi-disciplinary teams who proactively provide a range of evidence-based interventions, including therapies and recovery orientated support for those with a diagnosis of a complex psychosis with the community. The role has been developed as part of the evolving provision of the Community Mental Health Framework. This role links directly into three services: Specialist Outreach Recovery Team, Insight (first presentation psychosis) and Community Mental Health Services. The three services are made of up various mental health professionals who work with people to support recovery. Offering various therapeutic interventions to support individuals. This role exists to make sure people receive the right support at the right time by coordinating care, strengthening communication between teams, and keeping a clear focus on safety and continuity. The postholder will work closely with partner agencies, families, and other professionals to ensure plans are joinedup and responsive to changing needs. SCOPE AND RANGE The services are dedicated to enhancing the quality of mental health care and improving outcomes for adults with mental health needs in Plymouth. They work collaboratively with colleagues across relevant departments and wards, developing tailored plans and delivering holistic biopsychosocial assessments and support to identify each patients mental health needs and any risks they may pose to themselves or others. The teams work in close collaboration with other services including the Home Treatment Team, hospital placements, crisis services and Adult Social Care. The role includes a high level of autonomous working, with the post holder carrying out high-quality skilled mental health assessments and providing risk formulation and care plans for patients using the service. This will be in close collaboration with family, friends and carers. Care is generally provided in peoples homes and in other community settings. The post holder will work across various Livewell and community sites. The post holder will provide support and supervision to junior staff such as preceptor nurses, community support workers and peer support workers within the team. The post will include flexible working patterns over the 7-day week to incorporate cover for a 24/7 service, including nights on-call. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The post holder will be expected to be able to make clear clinical decisions based on the analysis of often complex presenting difficulties; this can include being the decision maker in terms of the onward care plan for patients experiencing crisis mental health needs. To receive and triage referrals for the teams. Undertake holistic and comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment of patients referred to the service. Utilise a range of highly specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical/ home setting in which they are seen Ability to match patient need with available skills and resources. Work closely with peer support workers and volunteers to enhance patient experience. Provide a consultation-liaison service to clinicians and clinical teams referring to the teams. This will include giving specialist advice on care, treatment and patients management issues. To be part of a multi-disciplinary team approach responding to individuals requiring a same day response or signposting due to a mental health crisis To provide skilled telephone advice to referrers, patients, and carers To provide skilled telephone-based support to help contain a crisis and avoid further escalation of an issue To offer an urgent mental health assessments and appointments in a location most convenient/appropriate for the patient; this may be in their home, GP surgery or Emergency Department. To provide MH assessment to patients deemed to be at risk of inpatient psychiatric admission, presenting with acute mental health disturbance of a functional nature. Identify the most appropriate intervention required for patient, with an emphasis on positive risk management, and refer, as necessary. Following assessments provide high quality assessment reports/letters to the relevant professionals. Monitor reports by junior staff to ensure they are of the same standards. Maintain high standards of integrity when communicating with patients and others. Demonstrate ability to use IT systems effectively including email and clinical systems used by the team. Possess a good working knowledge of mental health legislation including Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and use this in relation to advising and planning care, independently or with other professionals. The post holder will provide nursing care and other interventions in the setting most appropriate to meet the patients needs. Emergency judgments and clinical decision-making. Maintain high standards of clinical care to patients. Formulate care plans, implement, and evaluate them alongside patients and carers ensuring informed consent is obtained. Demonstrates safe clinical skills when providing care for patients receiving specialist treatments e.g., commencement of Clozaril in the community or supporting a patient through ECT treatment. To work within their professional registration (NMC, HCPC, BCAP) only. For full details please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.