Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Job summary
NHSE
recognises Devon Partnership Trust (DPT) as being an innovative Trust, for promoting
and sustaining Multi-Professional Approved Clinician (MPAC) practice.
There
are currently 12 MPACs within DPT, with a further three Trainee MPACs and two
SAS Doctors participating in our latest Approved Clinician training cohort.
An
opportunity has risen to complement our consultant workforce, within our Community
Eating Disorder Service (CEDS). DPT would like to recruit a Consultant Nurse/Social
Worker/Occupational Therapist/Psychologist and Approved Clinician, in order to
diversify our consultant workforce still further.
We welcome applications from candidates seeking Less Than Full Time (LTFT) working arrangements.
Main duties of the job
There
are comprehensive governance and CPD frameworks in place, which supports the
training, approval, deployment and subsequent development of Multi-Professional
Approved Clinicians. This includes dedicated monthly Approved Clinician peer
supervision, plus two days CPD per year for Approved Clinicians.
The
post holder will be an integral member of the Medical Advisory Committee and
will also be encouraged to apply to join the DHSCs England South MHA Approvals
Panel.
For more information,
please contact:
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of various approaches to mental health assessment.
- Knowledge of the principles of key working or named professionals within a CMHT.
- Awareness of harassment, social exclusion issues and the effects of person and institutional discrimination.
- Knowledge/awareness of relevant legislation and guidance including the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), The Care Act (2014), The Human Rights Act (1998), The National Service Framework and Clinical Governance.
Desirable
- Skills in assessing, planning and evaluating mental health care/treatment interventions.
- Expertise and knowledge in assessing and managing patients in a community psychiatry or eating disorders setting. .
- Expertise in psychosocial interventions, including relapse signatures and relapse prevention plans.
- Skills in interacting therapeutically with patients who have a range of presenting problems.
- Skills in coordinating complex care packages.
- An ability to coordinate and deliver teaching programs and skills in teaching and assessing.
- An ability to work independently and within a team.
- An ability to use the internet, email and basic word-processing skills.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
Essential
- Ability to use a range of communication skills to communicate effectively with patients and carers who may be distressed or
- To be able to produce complex written information in a variety of formats for varied audiences.
- Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Ability to administer and interpret a range of evidence based/standardised assessment tools.
- Ability to analyse complex information to solve problems and draw conclusions.
- Imagination, determination and a questioning attitude.
- An ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care.
- Planning and Organisational Skills
- Experience in managing a complex caseload.
- Ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
- Well-developed prioritisation skills.
- Enthusiasm, flexibility and an ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- A problem-solving approach to professional practice.
- Physical Skills
- Able to carry out moving and handling procedure, very occasionally.
- Other
- Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
- Mobile throughout geographical area covered by the Trust.
- A willingness to undertake further training in physical healthcare of patients as agreed with consultant supervisors.
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional mental health qualification e.g.: RMN, CQSW / DipSW / BSc SW / MASW, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT, , DClinPsy or equivalent practitioner psychology training ENB 811/812 or CPN Degree.
- A current registration with a professional body i.e. NMC, HCPC, SWEng.
- Trained and currently approved as an Approved Clinician, with one of the four DHSCs MHA Approvals Panels.
- A postgraduate certificate or diploma – or equivalent modules, such as the Higher Specialist Award in Social Work – within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline.
- A doctoral level qualification or substantial experience and highest level of specialist knowledge accompanied by specific approval clinician training / approval, followed by further training and reapproval by the DHSC – within the relevant specialist field within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline
Desirable
- Advanced physical healthcare assessment qualification.
- Independent and supplementary prescribing qualification
- Therapeutic psychological interventions qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Significant and in-depth post professional qualifying clinical experience. This requires a minimum of 10 years post qualifying clinical experience, including 7+ years in mental health and 5+ years in a senior position. Ideally these senior roles will have been at Agenda for Change band 7 or band 8, but as a minimum they will have been at AfC band 6.
- Evidence of leading effectively at a senior level in a multi-disciplinary health and social care setting (mental health).
- Experience of working with a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.
- Experience of engaging in service development activities.
- Evidence of promoting research, evidence-based practice, clinical excellence and quality approaches to support outcome focussed care.
- Experience in facilitating learning within clinical practice.
- Experience of managing, supervising and supporting teams.
- Ability to clinically assess mental disorder and to knowledgeably apply the statutory criteria for the key decision reserved to the RC.
Closing Date: 19 July 2026
To apply for this job please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk.