Job overview

We are pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity to join the Primary Care and Partnerships team within the Hastings Neighbourhood Mental Health Team (NMHT) as a Mental Health Practitioner (MHP)

This role will be part of a team of Mental Health Practitioners working into the newly formed NMHT's. You will be part of the core team working alongside the Specialist Adult Service, Specialist Older Adult Service and VCSE Partners. You will be closely aligned and work with colleagues within GP practices as well as Health in Mind (NHS Talking Therapies- NHS TT).

The MHP role will provide a critical function in triaging referrals into the service as well as those in NHS TT, providing timely and consistent assessments, brief interventions and onward referral as required. Liaison with key stakeholders and third sector organisations also forms part of this role. 

Main duties of the job

It is essential that you are a registered Mental Health Professional (Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist). Your role will include carrying out assessments, brief interventions, triage, onward referrals to Secondary or Urgent Care Services (if this is needed) and signposting advice. The successful applicant should have excellent clinical skills in assessment, risk assessment and as well as strong communication skills. 
You will be working closely with a range of professional groups, including Mental Health Practitioners based within GP surgeries, NMHT colleagues, partner organisations, VCSE providers, and other aligned services within the Neighbourhood as well as NHS Talking Therapies Teams. Providing expert advice, guidance, and supporting colleagues will constitute a key element of this role.
The post holder will also contribute to wider Service and Trust initiatives, including the development of the Triage function, the operation of local Triage Hubs, and the ongoing enhancement of the Mental Health Practitioner role across Sussex.
As part of an increasingly integrated network of services, the post holder will play a pivotal role in advancing and shaping the Neighbourhood model, For further detail on our strategic vision, please refer to:
https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/our-work/our-priorities/mental-health-learning-disability-and-autism/mental-health/community-mh-transformation/

Working for our organisation

As a Mental Health Trust, Sussex Partnership offers a supportive working environment and the opportunity for staff to flourish and professionally develop. We have a strong philosophy of a collaborative and client centred approach, and staff wellbeing is integral in our philosophy and in our practice. We have a huge focus on the wellbeing of staff and our reward packages reflect the immensely important work our staff do. If you are looking for the opportunity to work within a busy but rewarding team in a seaside town like no other, then we would love to hear from you. Hastings is a vibrant seaside town, offering affordable coastal living along with independent shopping and a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants and a very creative music and artistic scene.
As a practitioner in our team we can offer you:
Access to numerous wellbeing and support programmes
Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development
Flexible working patterns
Reimbursed parking
Child care vouchers
Access to a host of NHS discount schemes (including gyms, shopping, restaurants and cars)
A position within a trust rated as 'Outstanding' for caring and 'Good' overall by the CQC
Generous holiday entitlement (dependent on length of NHS service) starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays
NHS Pension contributions