Workforce Directorate
Human Resources
Recruitment Team
High East, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TG
Fax: 01387 244043
Email: dg.recruitment@nhs.net
JOB DESCRIPTION for the following vacancy:
VACANCY REF No:
N325a.13
VACANCY (Post Title):
Mental Health Worker (MHW) CAMHS
(Child & Adolescent Mental Health)
GRADE:
Band 5
SALARY:
£21,388 to £27,901 pro rata
HOURS:
37.5hpw
Permanent
CAMHS have a B5 Mental Health Worker vacancy, predominantly working in the West of
the region with some input to the Stewartry as required.
Applicants should have a relevant professional qualification and preferably have gained
some post qualifying experience of working with people affected by mental health
problems.
Experience in working with children/young people/families is desirable, however
applications are also welcome from those without experience but who are able
to demonstrate an aptitude, interest and the transferrable skills to work in CAMHS.
Informal enquiries to Elaine Wylie 01387 244662/244331 or Martin Stewart, CAMHS
(West) Tel: 01776 707759.
Closing Date:
Thursday 12 September 2013 at 5.00pm
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
AfC Ref. NE060
Criminal Record Check
With effect from 28th February, 2011 posts considered to be within "Regulated
Work" with Children and/or "Regulated Work" with Protected Adults will require
membership of the Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme
(PVG Scheme) as a condition of employment.
Please note:
You do not have to do anything about PVG Membership when submitting your
application form for the post. Candidates selected for appointment will be advised on
how to become a PVG Scheme Member prior to taking up the position.
Further information on the PVG Scheme Membership can be found at the
following:- http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pvg
Standard Disclosure Check
For other roles not considered to be within "Regulated Work with Children" and/or
"Regulated Work with Protected Adults", a Standard Disclosure Check may be
required and the cost of this will be met by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Applicants who have lived outside the UK within the last five years, if offered a
position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a
completed police record check (Certificate of Good Conduct) from the police
authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
AfC Ref. NE060
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title : MENTAL HEALTH WORKER Band 5 (West of region)
Department(s) : COMMUNITY CAMHS
Job Holder Reference:
No. of Job Holders :
2. JOB PURPOSE
 The postholder will be responsible for assessment, intervention and evaluation of the
care of a defined client caseload, primarily at Tier 2 with children/young people and their
families/carers where complexity and risk is low
 The postholder, in partnership with, and guidance from the CAMH multidisciplinary
team, will contribute to assessment, therapeutic interventions and evaluation for children
and adolescent clients with more severe and complex presentations/diagnosis and risk
factors.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
See Appendix
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
The postholder will:
 Be required to work with clients from 0-18 years and their families/carers, from diverse
backgrounds, presenting with a wide range of emotional/behavioural/mental health
problems and disorders.
 Have access to, and work closely with, senior colleagues, most frequently Band 6
Senior Mental Health Worker (West)
 Undertake autonomous duties within the limits of experience/competencies, and
develop their knowledge skills and autonomy as a practitioner through the process of
development review, supervision and training
 Manage a defined caseload as previously described
 Contribute to the management of other children and young people’s care alongside/with
guidance from senior CAMHS colleagues
 Normally work from 9-5 Mon to Fri but may occasionally be required to participate in ‘out
of hours’ care plans to provide an alternative to a young persons admission to
hospital/support staff providing care eg paediatric or adult mental health ward.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSBILITIES
 Work within professional code of conduct and regulations, clinical competencies, local
and national standards and guidance
 Assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care for referred children, as
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the accountable caseholder for an agreed client group
Contribute to the assessment and treatment of children/young people with more
complex, severe and higher risk presentations in conjunction with, and/or guidance from
those members of the team managing their care.
Use a range of evidence-based interventions and therapies designed to meet individual
need.
Assume responsibility for using established lines of communication, reporting routinely
on progress with cases. Use clinical supervision sessions to develop learning through
reflective practice
Actively participate in a personal development plan to develop competencies in child
and adolescent mental health.
Work closely with staff across all agencies when indicated, developing and maintaining
good relationships and clear lines of communication. Attend interagency meetings as
required.
Practice with knowledge of Child Protection procedures; and the Mental Health Act
Maintain accurate records (paper and electronic) on all activity undertaken on behalf of
the service
Produce reports within legal/statutory frameworks in regard to named clients as
requested, eg Children’s Panel Hearings, Child Protection Case Conference
Contribute to the development of students and other colleagues
Contribute to the efficient and effective use of resources.
Participate in an integrated programme of clinical audit to ensure clinical effectiveness
Adhere to all NHS procedures, policies and guidelines
6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
 The postholder will contribute to the smooth running overall of CAMHS as a system by
adherence to all NHS /CAMHS policies /protocols with particular attention to the
following:
 Observe appropriate client confidentiality in all matters relating to their circumstances
and treatment
 Comply with NHS policies and professional guidelines regarding record keeping and
information sharing, maintaining legible and comprehensive records
 Input clinical information to an electronic database for the purposes of own record
keeping, service information and audit purposes. Extract data as required for client
information/service needs
 Adhere to service standards of communication with referrers
 Ensure awareness of and adherence to Child Protection Guidelines
 Ensure awareness of referral pathways in order to advise others
 Comply with partner agency systems in regard to making referrals/providing reports
 Comply with good practice and policy regarding lone working
 Efficiently manage appointment diary, letters, and all practical arrangements eg car hire,
room booking in accordance with service protocol
 Record and provide statistical information in regard to activity on a monthly basis
 Provide accurate travel expenses claims on a monthly basis
 Communicate sickness/absence leave as per NHS policies.
 Complete annual leave requests as per service policy and communicate with manager
and relevant colleagues any clients of concern prior to commencing leave.
 Manage all resources with efficiency and care.
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENT
 The staff member will not require direct supervision for the majority of their duties and
will be expected to make routine decisions and judgements related to their own
caseload, and contribute to planning and decision making process with other CAMHS
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caseholders where he/she has had input to casework.
Skills in decision making and clinical judgement will be developed, supported and
informed by regular supervision, development review and appropriate personal
development
The postholder will also be able to access guidance from senior staff within the
multidisciplinary team outwith planned supervision eg case discussion at team meetings
Some decision making may be required in situations which are urgent and will involve
the worker thinking under pressure eg unexpected deterioration/new presentation of
serious symptoms, child protection concerns.
The postholder will have access to their manager/senior clinician, in the first instance
this may be by telephone, to seek advice in situations beyond the realms of their
experience, skills and knowledge; however the worker will nevertheless be expected to
make an assessment of the situation and make interim decisions to ensure measures of
safety.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
AGENCIES/PROFESSIONALS:
The postholder will be required to conduct all professional relationships respectfully and
courteously and develop skills in managing the often complex interface and boundaries in
multi agency working, and in team working generally
The postholder will have regular contact with a large range of professional staff within the
team, with other NHS D&G professionals, and with colleagues from other agencies Often
routine contact with staff will be on a named case basis, where the postholder will be
required to contribute a mental health perspective.
The postholder may be required to provide advice, within their limits of experience and
competence, to professional colleagues in regard to members of the public/existing CAMHS
clients in crisis situations/urgent information need
CLIENTS/PUBLIC:
 The postholder will conduct their relationships with CAMHS clients, their families and
members of the public with respect.
 Work in partnership with clients, using a facilitative and empowering approach.
 Demonstrate awareness of client’s culture and values.
 Develop excellent communication skills, remaining attentive to multiple strands of
information in often emotive sessions.
 Adapt communication style appropriately depending on client’s chronological age/
developmental stage.
 Consider other barriers to communication and understanding e.g. communication
disorders, psychosis
 Manage contact with clients/public, in a calm, supportive, informative and when
necessary directive manner, in person or by telephone
 Communicate difficult information with tact, sensitivity and clarity
 Develop skills in managing beginnings and endings of the therapeutic relationship, client
disengagement, challenging behaviour, crisis and risk taking.
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The postholder will be required to manage the demands on a community practitioner
frequently in 'lone worker' circumstances:
 Travelling, often significant distances over the course of the day.
 Deliver services in often unsuitable and uncomfortable surroundings.
 Work in locations which may be isolated, and out of reach of phone signal, and /or in
areas of high deprivation.
 Manage oneself in environments which have the potential to become hostile; deal
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AfC Ref. NE060
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with threats of violence; or infrequently, actual violence.
Psychological demands: The postholder will need to be continuously attentive,
applying intense levels of concentration to all aspects of the work throughout the
typical day eg direct client contact, recalling/recording sessions, making/receiving
telephone calls in busy offices, driving.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
 Working with emotive issues
 Learning new skills/working with a new client group
11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
 An understanding of child development and family dynamics
 Awareness of common stressors, risk and resilience and the impact on/relationship to
child mental health
 Knowledge of a range of mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents
 Knowledge of evidence based theory/models of interventions in child and adolescent
mental health
 Awareness of legislation relevant to the post eg Mental Health Act, Child Protection.
 Demonstrated skills in assessing needs, planning, implementing and evaluating
interventions for referred clients/patients
 Effective engagement, interviewing and counselling skills with a diverse range of people
 Organisational skills
 Accurate record keeping
 Ability to travel on a daily basis within one or more localities of mixed rural/town
composition, and also across the region as required.
TRAINING Professional practitioner qualification eg nursing, occupational therapy
 Registered to practice with a professional body
 Commitment to further professional development
EXPERIENCE
 Experience of working in a mental health service/with people with mental health
problems
 Working in present /recent post with minimum supervision, with a demonstrated ability
to competently manage a devolved level of responsibility
 Ability to work positively as a member of a team
 Evidence of constructively utilising personal and professional development
opportunities, including performance review / appraisal and supervision
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature
Date
Head of Department Signature
Date
Dumfries & Galloway NHS
AfC Ref. NE060
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
B5 Mental Health Worker CAMHS
DESIRABLE
ESSENTIAL
Qualifications:
 Relevant professional practitioner qualification eg
Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapist
 Active registration with a professional body eg
NMC
Skills:
 Good overall verbal and written communication
skills
 Skills in communicating and engaging with people
affected by mental health problems, and other
circumstances where there are barriers to
communication
 Competent to assess needs, plan, implement and
evaluate care/treatment plans or interventions
 Able
to
competently
deliver
therapeutic
interventions
 Person centred and collaborative in approach with
service users
Experience:
 Experience
of
delivering
mental
health
interventions to a range of service users
 Demonstrated ability to responsibly and effectively
work without direct supervision, having undertaken
delegated responsibility for the care/management
of a group of people
 Ability to plan, prioritise, and organise own
workload
 Able to take initiative, make decisions and
judgements
at
the
level
expected
in
current/previous post
 Evidence of positive contributions to team working
Knowledge:
 Theories of child development
 An understanding of mental health issues,
problems and disorders affecting children and
adolescents
 Knowledge of evidence based interventions
relevant to child and adolescent mental health
 Aware of indicators and models of risk, risk
assessment and management; and aware of the
key areas of risk with regard to the client group
including child protection
 Knowledge of the Mental Health Act
 Awareness of current mental health policy
Personal Characteristics:
 Flexible, positive approach, non judgemental
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Post basic training relevant to child and
adolescent mental health
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Skills in working with children/young
people/families
An advanced level of skill in the delivery of a
specific intervention eg CBT
Skills in risk assessment/management
Skills in interagency working
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Experience
of
working
directly
with
children/young people/families in a relevant
mental health context
Experience of working in a community setting
Experience
of
working
across
professional/agency boundaries
Understand vulnerability and resilience in
relation to children’s mental health
An advanced level of theoretical knowledge
related
to
the
assessment/care
of
children/young people/families
Broad understanding of the roles and
responsibilities of agencies who work with
children
Knowledge of the national/local policy context
influencing children’s services and CAMHS in
particular
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Self motivated and reliable
Self aware, able to recognise strengths, limits, and
support needs
Able to work with all necessary feedback,
guidance and direct instruction whilst developing
skills and knowledge
Enthusiasm for personal and service development
Other Requirements:
 Driving licence, as will be required to travel within
remote and rural locations and across the region
 Able to work outwith regular office hours on
occasion