Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Are you a Registered Mental Health Nurse with an interest in working in our CYPF Health Hub, CAMHS Common Point of Entry Service as a Mental Health Practitioner? Then we at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) have an exciting opportunity for you

This fantastic opportunity will be responding to complex referrals to the CAMHS team, carrying out initial triage and telephone assessment of new children or young people including risk assessments and the formulation and recommendation for on-going care. You will review referrals coming into the service and undertake a structured telephone triage to determine the mental health needs of the child or young person, assessing risk and either signposting to the appropriate CAMHS team or pathway.

You will also be providing advice and consultation to referrers, colleagues and families who may require advice about symptoms, risk, or the need for a referral. You will also be identifying those who need a more detailed face to face assessment within CPE and allocating a priority level.

CAMHS CPE provides the first point of contact for referrals to the Trust’s Children’s Services. The team carry out triage to determine the mental health needs of the child or young person, assessing risk and either signposting to the appropriate CAMHS team or pathway, or an appropriate tier 2 service. CPE staff undertake a key role in providing advice and consultation to referrers, colleagues and families who may require advice about symptoms, risk or the need for a referral.

The service is run by a team of professionals dedicated to making the first contact experience a welcoming, supportive and friendly one - whether the contact is from a child or family, partner agency or other referrer e.g. General Practitioner either referring a patient or seeking information or help with a concern.

The young people and their families first impression will be one of helpfulness and the first experience will be of a person centred service, focussed on the delivery of excellent care.

Patient choice and collaboration will be at the centre of the Service activity in addition to improving communication with GPs, young people and their families and other professionals.

**The 3 must haves for the role**:

- Experience working within mental health especially adolescents/children
- Excellent communication and people skills.
- Registered Nurse Child or MH branch)/HCPC

Berkshire Healthcare has a record of achievement and success that places us as one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, we have a history of strong financial performance, and we have a highly skilled and engaged workforce. We aspire to be an outstanding organisation for everyone: our people, our patients, their families, and their carers.

For our people who work here that means we want Berkshire Healthcare to be a great place to work where everyone can thrive and grow. Some of the benefits of joining our team:

- Salary ranging from £35,392 - £42,503 per annum (incl of HCAS)
- Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance
- Annual leave - 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
- Salary sacrifice scheme for a new car
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
- Advanced IT enablement and support 
- Confidential telephone care service providing independent support and advice for staff.
- And so much more 

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.