Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

**Job Title**: Specialist Mental Health Practitioner
**Location**: Remote (Based in Cape Town, South Africa, servicing clients in the UK)
**Employment Type**: Sessional / Freelance
**Hourly Rate**: R350 - R450 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications)

**About Us**

We are a pioneering digital mental health platform dedicated to providing accessible and high-quality mental health support to young people. Our mission is to ensure that every young person has the support they need, especially those dealing with complex mental health challenges. We are expanding our services and seeking experienced Specialist Mental Health Practitioners based in South Africa to join our team, delivering focused support and intervention through scheduled digital sessions.

**Job Summary**

The Specialist Mental Health Practitioner will play a crucial role in delivering high-level mental health interventions to young people with complex mental health issues. As a senior professional within our mental health support team, you will work with individuals presenting a range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, and complex family dynamics. Sessions will be held in 30-minute increments via our secure digital platform. While the role is remote, occasional office engagement at our Cape Town office in Century City may be required.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- **Direct Client Support**: Deliver one-on-one mental health support sessions to young people, focusing on complex cases. Conduct assessments, interventions, and tailored therapeutic support during each session.
- **Treatment Planning**: Collaborate with clients to set goals, create action plans, and support their mental health journey with evidence-based approaches.
- **Crisis Intervention**: Handle urgent mental health concerns professionally and compassionately, adhering to best practices for crisis management.
- **Case Documentation**: Maintain accurate and confidential client records, including progress notes, treatment plans, and relevant follow-up details, ensuring all documentation meets legal and ethical standards.
- **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: Liaise with internal support teams and external partners where required to provide holistic support for young people.
- **Professional Development**: Stay up to date with current research and best practices in youth mental health, especially for complex and high-risk cases. Participate in training opportunities provided by the organization.
- **Feedback and Improvement**: Collect feedback from clients and make recommendations for service improvement based on client needs and industry best practices.

**Minimum Qualifications and Experience**:

- **Education**: Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or Mental Health Nursing. A postgraduate qualification in mental health or a related field is highly desirable.
- **Licenses/Registrations**: Must be registered with a relevant professional body, such as the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). Registration with UK bodies like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is advantageous.
- **Experience**: Minimum of 5 years of experience working with young people in mental health services, including a strong background in handling complex cases and crisis situations.
- **Specialist Knowledge**: Proficiency in therapeutic interventions suitable for complex mental health issues (e.g., CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, etc.).
- **Digital Literacy**: Comfortable using digital platforms for video sessions, secure data storage, and communication. Experience working on digital mental health platforms is a plus.
- **Interpersonal Skills**: Ability to build rapport with young people quickly, establishing trust and maintaining a compassionate, non-judgmental approach.

**Working Hours**:
Sessions are booked in 30-minute slots, with flexibility for the Specialist Mental Health Practitioner to set their availability for bookings. This role provides flexible working hours, allowing the practitioner to balance other professional commitments if needed.

**Support Offered by the Organization**:

- Assistance with UK registration and compliance queries.
- Guidance on using secure digital platforms.
- Access to internal training and onboarding sessions.

**Why Join Us?**
- **Flexible Working**: Set your own hours and work remotely from the comfort of your home, with occasional office engagement in Cape Town (Century City).
- **Meaningful Impact**: Make a difference in the lives of young people with complex mental health needs by providing them with crucial support.
- **Professional Growth**: Access training and development opportunities within a collaborative, digitally innovative mental health service.
- **Competitive Pay**: Earn a competitive hourly rate that reflects you