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Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.
Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk.
We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.
You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive.
The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.
We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years.
We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.
We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.
Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.
Job overview
You will have continuing responsibility for proactive assessment, monitoring, and management of patients, and ensuring care is current, evidence-based, and in line with practice standards. You will provide clinical leadership to the team in evaluation and monitoring of the service, and provide specialist assessment as per the service users' and carers’ requirements.
You will lead, with other senior colleagues, the continuing development of a high‑quality service that is underpinned by evidence‑based practice and care pathways/packages, and NICE and DH guidance; leading on service development and policy in conjunction with the other Advanced Practitioners, senior clinicians, Clinical Manager and Operational Services Manager.
You will work with the Clinical Manager to ensure that the nursing service is contemporary, evidence‑based and in line with practice standards, providing day‑to‑day nursing, clinical leadership, evaluation and monitoring of the service.
You will also have responsibility for the day‑to‑day supervision and management of lower banded staff within your team as required by your manager; this may include the management of these staff in line with agreed Trust HR processes.
In delivering your duties, you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.
Main duties of the job
Please see the attached Job description for full details:
As a senior clinical practitioner, you will provide professional leadership and oversight for the assessment, care planning, treatment and review of individuals with complex mental health needs. You will coordinate and manage high‑quality, evidence‑based care, acting as a care coordinator where required and ensuring that risk assessments, safeguarding responsibilities and clinical documentation are completed to the highest standards.
The post holder will lead and support multidisciplinary working, providing specialist clinical advice, supervision and mentorship to colleagues, while promoting recovery‑focused and person‑centred care. You will undertake specialist assessments, contribute to service development, support physical health monitoring, and ensure the safe and effective management of medication in accordance with Trust policies.
Working closely with the Clinical Manager, you will contribute to the operational management of the service, including performance management, workforce planning, quality improvement initiatives, recruitment and staff development. You will help ensure the service achieves key performance indicators, maintains high standards of clinical governance and delivers safe, effective and therapeutic care.
Working for our organisation
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
- Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
- Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will provide senior clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, recovery‑focused and evidence‑based mental health services for service users with complex and highly complex needs. They will be responsible for coordinating care, leading clinical decision‑making, managing risk, and supporting the development and performance of the service.
Working closely with the Clinical Manager, the post holder will support operational delivery, service development, workforce management and quality improvement initiatives. They will provide expert clinical supervision, advice and support to staff, promote best practice in accordance with NICE guidance and Trust policies, and act as a key liaison between health, social care and partner agencies.
The role requires highly developed clinical, leadership and communication skills, with responsibility for maintaining high standards of patient care, service performance, governance and professional practice.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership and Patient Care
- Provide expert clinical leadership and specialist advice to the multidisciplinary team.
- Lead the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for service users with complex mental health needs.
- Act as Care Coordinator for highly complex cases, ensuring care is delivered in accordance with agreed pathways and standards.
- Undertake comprehensive mental health, risk and nursing assessments and ensure timely review of care plans.
- Lead and participate in formulation, delivery and review of evidence‑based interventions aligned to NICE guidance.
- Maintain responsibility for the management of clinical risk, ensuring appropriate assessment, management and escalation of concerns.
- Undertake and oversee safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring adherence to local and national guidance.
- Support service users to develop understanding of their mental and physical health needs, promoting recovery, wellbeing and independence.
- Provide psycho‑social interventions, education, practical support and relapse prevention strategies.
- Conduct carers' assessments and ensure carers are appropriately supported and involved in care planning where appropriate.
- Ensure accurate, timely and professional clinical record keeping in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
Medication Management and Physical Healthcare
- Oversee the safe management, administration, storage and transportation of medication in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
- Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects and adherence, taking appropriate action where required.
- Provide education to service users, carers and staff regarding medications, treatment options and physical healthcare needs.
- Ensure physical health monitoring is completed and acted upon appropriately.
- Promote parity of esteem between physical and mental health care across the service.
Team Leadership and Staff Development
- Provide day‑to‑day professional supervision, support and leadership to junior staff and students.
- Undertake clinical supervision, mentorship and appraisal responsibilities as required.
- Support workforce development through training, coaching and professional development activities.
- Lead by example in promoting high standards of professional practice and adherence to Trust values.
- Support staff wellbeing and contribute to a positive team culture.
- Participate in recruitment, induction, performance management and capability processes in accordance with Trust policies.
- Manage staffing issues appropriately, including contributing to disciplinary, grievance and investigation processes when required.
Service Development and Quality Improvement
- Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of clinical services.
- Identify opportunities for service enhancement and implement change initiatives in collaboration with colleagues and managers.
- Support the development, implementation and review of operational and clinical policies.
- Lead and participate in audits, service evaluations and quality improvement projects.
- Ensure clinical practice reflects current evidence, national guidance and best practice standards.
- Contribute to local emergency planning, business continuity arrangements and risk management processes.
Operational and Performance Management
- Support the Clinical Manager in the day‑to‑day operational management of the service.
- Assist with workforce planning, resource management and service scheduling.
- Monitor service performance and contribute to achieving Trust, local and national targets and key performance indicators.
- Ensure timely submission of activity data, reports and performance information.
- Participate in performance review meetings and support the effective use of resources.
- Deputise for the Clinical Manager when required.
Partnership Working
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with primary care, secondary care, social care, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies.
- Participate in and lead multidisciplinary meetings, referrals, reviews, case discussions and handovers as required.
- Work collaboratively with service users, carers and stakeholders to ensure services are responsive, inclusive and person‑centred.
- Represent the team and service at internal and external meetings as required.
Governance and Professional Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, professional standards, legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain professional registration and fulfil continuing professional development requirements.
- Report, investigate and learn from incidents, complaints and near misses.
- Contribute to clinical governance, risk management and patient safety initiatives.
- Complete all mandatory training and maintain required competencies.
- Participate in on‑call arrangements where applicable.
Non‑Medical Prescribing (Where Applicable)
- Undertake autonomous assessment, diagnosis and treatment within scope of practice.
- Prescribe safely and effectively as an Independent Non‑Medical Prescriber.
- Monitor treatment outcomes and review prescribing decisions in accordance with professional and organisational standards.
Person specification
Shortlisting
- Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) Or Qualified Social Worker Or Qualified Occupational Therapist
- Driving Licence and access to vehicle
Requirements
- Risk Management training and/or Suicide Prevention training
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD)
- Meet the requirements of Professional Registration e.g. Social Work England/HCPC.
- Good written and spoken English
- Experience of working within a Mental Health setting
- Literate in IT/Computer Skills
- Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English Language
- Self‑motivated with the ability to use supervision effectively and be resourceful in a clinical setting
- Ability to work under pressure and ability to contain and manage the stress of others and oneself
- Ability to balance competing priorities
- Ability to manage unpredictable work patterns and changing deadlines
- Ability to contain the emotional impact of working with people with Mental Health problems
- Shares the Trust’s Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behavior:
- Able to ensure that the organizational values are demonstrated
- Non‑Medical Prescribing Qualification or willing to undertake the training (nurse applicants)
Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time. Important note: please ensure that as part of your application, you include professional references with business contact information covering your last three years of employment history. We are unable to accept personal or character references.
As a newly appointed employee, you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post; the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.
Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two tick symbol and have made the pledge to commit to employing more people with learning disabilities, we encourage people with a disability to apply. If you require this application form in another format i.e. Braille or audio tape etc, please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email epunft.recruitment.adverts@nhs.net and we can arrange for this to be dispatched to you.
The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly, we would advise however due to the high number of applications we receive that if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.
Important Notice: Recently the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) which amended on 22 July 2021 and come into force on 11 November 2021 that anyone directly employed to work in a Care Home or who are required as part of their role to be deployed to a CQC registered care home are required to have had both their COVID vaccinations, unless they are exempt. This is therefore a requirement of this role and will form part of our pre‑employment checks.
Please note -staff who are formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered ‘suitable alternative employment’ to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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