Job summary
Employer heading
Connection Service Mental Health Support Worker
Band 3
Job overview
Are you caring, compassionate and do you have a genuine interest in working with individuals in mental health crisis? Our Connection Team has a passion for making a difference to those people experiencing mental health crisis.
The Connection service provides Dorset’s 24/7 open access mental health crisis telephone line, open to the public, professionals and emergency services for support, advice, brief interventions, assessment (telephone/face to face) & signposting.
You will complete brief clinical risk and mental state assessments and provide brief interventions for people presenting in mental health crisis with a view to signposting them onto the most appropriate service to meet their care needs. Using a range of brief interventions, you will empower patients, carers and families to manage distress and crisis effectively.
This post is a full-time role, we would be flexible and accept part time applications and consider flexible working, variety of shifts listed below:
Early 07:00 - 15:00
Late 14:00 - 22:00
Twilight 19:00-03:00
Night 20:00-08:30 or 19:00- 8:30 (full time)
Enhancements paid after 20:00, plus weekends and Bank Holidays. Long shifts would be considered. Long days are 08:30-22:00
If you would like to consider joining our team, we welcome informal enquiries and visits, please contact Laura Smith at [email protected]
Main duties of the job
You will work via telephone and become an expert through training, in validating, de-escalating crisis and coaching people in distress tolerance and emotional regulation strategies.
You will follow and demonstrate the delivery and implementation of care plans, under the direction of a registered nurse.
You may have the opportunity to go out and support Mental Health Practitioners assessing service users in the community.
This is an ideal post for experienced Health Care Support Workers with experience in Mental Health.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Working for our organisation
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
Dorset HealthCare is in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we offer an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. Please contact [email protected] to access the support.
Person specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential criteria
- NVQ 3 in a care related subject or equivalent level of training and/or experience, or willing to undertake training to achieve this standard.
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English for effective performance in the role.
Information Technology
Essential criteria
- Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential criteria
- Be able to work on your own in a patient’s home and escalate concerns as appropriate
Personal qualities/attributes
Essential criteria
- A keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health difficulties
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Laura Smith
- Job title
- Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07442788631
- Additional information
Nathan Hanney
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