Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Mental Health Practitioners working in Sunderland Primary Care GP surgeries. This is an established team working in collaboration with our GP partners as part of Community Transformation.
The role consists of providing clinical and service leadership, supervision, holistic assessment and brief psychological interventions, to those who are presenting with a range of mental health needs to their GP.
Inline with Community Mental Health Transformation we are forming stronger links with other primary care agencies, secondary care and voluntary organisations, to establish a multi agency approach to providing mental health care and treatment across the area in neighbourhood teams. This will ensure that people with mental health needs receive the right treatment, at the right time, by the right people. This is service allows a seamless interface between both NHS and non NHS services including drug and alcohol services and other professions.
The ideal candidate will be proactive and dynamic with experience of working autonomously in a community setting, including managing risk management.
This is an exciting time to work within a community service as we continue to work in partnership with other agencies to meet the need for our populations and an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic motivated person who is passionate about delivering the best care.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner working in primary care, you'll work autonomously within the GP practices offering initial mental health consultation, assessment and formulation, signposting and onwards referral as well as providing brief psychological interventions suited to patients in primary care. You will provide clinical leadership, support service development and promote the role of mental health practitioners within the primary care setting.
You'll work as a member of the Sunderland PCN team at the forefront of developing an innovative approach to mental health in primary care. You'll have excellent interpersonal skills, be committed to delivering excellent patient care and have extensive experience of working in a range of mental health services. You'll be supported by the practice teams that you work alongside daily as well as having regular opportunities for formal supervision and peer support with other mental health practitioners working across the locality.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
This is a Primary Care facing team which is integrated into the Primary Care Networks, and GP Surgeries within the Sunderland and Washington area.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 18th September 2025
Closing date : 2nd October 2025
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 18th September 2025
Closing date : 2nd October 2025
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and qualification
Essential
- Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
- Degree or equivalent qualification or experience in evidence based psychological therapies relevant to Pathway.
- Post Graduate Degree or equivalent qualification or experience.
- ENB 998/P126/127
- Student Nurse Assessor or equivalent
Desirable
- Post Registration Qualifications in Psychological Interventions
- Experience of working within a community or primary care team.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, standards and other local and national initiatives.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Participate in Joint Development Reviews
- Commitment to Partnership working both multi-agency and multi-disciplinary.
- Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.
- Knowledge and Understanding of equal opportunities legislation and policies.
- Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
Desirable
- Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict management
- Evidence of effective organisational skills
- Evidence of Leadership Skills.
- Expert Clinical Supervision Skills
- Evidence of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous record keeping.
- Evidence of excellent Report writing.
Person Specification
Education and qualification
Essential
- Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
- Degree or equivalent qualification or experience in evidence based psychological therapies relevant to Pathway.
- Post Graduate Degree or equivalent qualification or experience.
- ENB 998/P126/127
- Student Nurse Assessor or equivalent
Desirable
- Post Registration Qualifications in Psychological Interventions
- Experience of working within a community or primary care team.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, standards and other local and national initiatives.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Participate in Joint Development Reviews
- Commitment to Partnership working both multi-agency and multi-disciplinary.
- Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.
- Knowledge and Understanding of equal opportunities legislation and policies.
- Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
Desirable
- Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict management
- Evidence of effective organisational skills
- Evidence of Leadership Skills.
- Expert Clinical Supervision Skills
- Evidence of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous record keeping.
- Evidence of excellent Report writing.
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).
