Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Access Wellbeing Single PoA Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 27 January 2026

Job summary

This new role will work collaboratively between Primary Care and Access Wellbeing Services as part of an Integrated Model of Care.

The intention is to focus services on local communities and local GP practices to help rebuild and reconnect healthcare teams across the communities they serve. This practitioner role will provide screening, triage and referral advice and guidance for the local area.

Work collaboratively with Primary Care within identified Locality to undertake screening, triage of referrals into the Access Wellbeing offer, and to provide advice and guidance around referrals, interventions and treatment pathways.

Work closely and creatively with colleagues in Mental Health Services to determine the most appropriate service for a patient whose needs exceed those which can be met in a primary care setting.

Work closely with local Community Mental Health Teams by attending Team meetings, jointly meeting patients, and generally integrating with the team to help form a seamless care pathway for patients

Use complex decision-making to inform, formulate plans and manage episodes of care within a broad scope of practice.

Screen and triage patients, including same-day triage and undertake urgent or emergency assessment if required.

Offer advice, guidance, support and supervision to other colleagues within the SPOA.

Make necessary referrals to other members of the primary care team or other mental health services as required.

Main duties of the job

This role will work across an identified Locality covering a number of Primary care Networks to provide screening and triage for all referrals into the Access Wellbeing model in the Locality.

The role may include urgent/emergency assessments and will support identifying improved access to appropriate care pathways for people with mental illness.

This role will also provide oversight of the patient pathway from the SPOA into the virtual MDT to help support the identification and progress of the patients intervention and pathway.

The role will provide supervision, support and oversight for the Single Point of Access model in the Locality.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

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 almost800,000 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 create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details

Date posted

13 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M379.25A

Job locations

Dorchester - To Be Confirmed

To be confirmed

Dorchester

DT1 2ER


Job description

Job 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.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job 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.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered RMN, OT, Social Work or Psychologist quatification and registration to degree/diploma level plus masters degree level or equivalent experience
  • Membership of relevant Professional body
  • Experience of teaching and assessing students
  • Demonstable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescriber (if professionally appropriate

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Registered Practitioner Band 6 level or above
  • Evidence of risk management skills and experience
  • Evidence of involvement in meeting relevant clinical governance objectives
  • Able to demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate information in order to make a clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and intervention

Ledership/Supervisory experience

Essential

  • Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team
  • Evidence of delivering education and training in practice
  • Able to act as a clinical supervisor and/or facilitate peer groups

Information Tehnology/Reesources

Essential

  • Confident in the use of computer systems, spreadsheets, databases, data collection and coordination, word processing and report writing

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different leels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users visitors or external organisation both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities
  • Team player and professional attitude
Person Specification

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered RMN, OT, Social Work or Psychologist quatification and registration to degree/diploma level plus masters degree level or equivalent experience
  • Membership of relevant Professional body
  • Experience of teaching and assessing students
  • Demonstable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescriber (if professionally appropriate

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Registered Practitioner Band 6 level or above
  • Evidence of risk management skills and experience
  • Evidence of involvement in meeting relevant clinical governance objectives
  • Able to demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate information in order to make a clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and intervention

Ledership/Supervisory experience

Essential

  • Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team
  • Evidence of delivering education and training in practice
  • Able to act as a clinical supervisor and/or facilitate peer groups

Information Tehnology/Reesources

Essential

  • Confident in the use of computer systems, spreadsheets, databases, data collection and coordination, word processing and report writing

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different leels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users visitors or external organisation both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities
  • Team player and professional attitude

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorchester - To Be Confirmed

To be confirmed

Dorchester

DT1 2ER


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorchester - To Be Confirmed

To be confirmed

Dorchester

DT1 2ER


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Integrated Service Manager

Marc Flute

MARC.FLUTE@nhs.net

01305214500

Details

Date posted

13 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M379.25A

Job locations

Dorchester - To Be Confirmed

To be confirmed

Dorchester

DT1 2ER


Supporting documents

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