Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

The post holder will be responsible for conducting a mental health assessment with all people referred to him/her, determining what the individuals mental health needs are and the most appropriate service/ agency to meet those needs. The post holder may engage in brief therapeutic work with the person referred, refer them to another service/agency or advise them of other sources of support that they could access.

The post holder will build and maintain effective links with Housing Officers within the 3 neighbourhoods, and will work as an integrated part of the Social Investment Team.

The post holders approach should be driven by the underpinning philosophies of mental health promotion, empowerment and personal responsibility. This work will focus on the tenants of Wakefield and District Housing who are identified as requiring mental health support to successfully maintain their tenancy and improve their wellbeing.

The post holder will also provide easily accessed advice for Wakefield and District Housing teams and support identification of the training needs of staff on mental health issues. The post holder will participate in providing training and supervision, as required, for staff at Wakefield and District Housing on mental health issues.

The post holder will also undertake a training, consultancy and support role within the team and for the wider workforce in Wakefield and District Housing, Trust, Council and wider community.

The post holder will also be expected to work as an autonomous practitioner.

Freedom To Act:

Act independently and use own initiative in order to manage workload and solve problems within appropriate professional guidelines, with performance and outcomes reviewed through supervision from your line manager.

Maintain professional integrity in line with relevant Codes of Ethical and Professional Conduct.

Liaise with external agencies as required to fulfil job role.

1. Take responsibility for the management of a caseload ensuring an efficient workflow and referral to the relevant pathway / agency.

2. Undertake a comprehensive assessment of complex health care needs and formulate agreed outcomes with the tenant. Implement and regularly evaluate agreed treatment, using the most up-to-date evaluation tools.

3. To work autonomously in the primary care / housing setting, where the nature of the work is unpredictable.

4. To manage the risks, to self and others, associated with unpredictable client groups in settings where there may be no other mental health professional support.

5. To manipulate the physical environment where possible to provide a setting which is conducive to client work?

6. To determine the most appropriate course of action, for the client, following assessment.

7. To maintain good links with the specialist mental health services and associated agencies (including social care and voluntary agencies) and provide advice to these agencies in the management of primary care mental health issues.

8. Provide appropriate individual treatment based on a recovery approach and aim to discharge service users safely to primary care, undertaking group interventions relative to caseload priorities.

9. Offer support, knowledge and guidance, to the team regarding support for people tenants with mental health needs.

10. Offer guidance and support in decision-making to team members on situations beyond their experience and skills.

11. Maintain the highest degree of tenant confidentiality in undertaking the assessment and where appropriate providing brief intervention and advice.

12. Formulate and adhere to risk assessments and management plans ensuring appropriate risk documentation is available to appropriate individuals and agencies

13. Maintain effective communication with referring teams as appropriate, regarding outcomes.

14. Demonstrate a clear understanding of up-to-date evidence based practices and demonstrate flexibility to undertake practical and functional duties as required.

15. Maintain a high level of professional core mental health skills.

16. Maintain effective links with colleagues, carers and where appropriate relatives of tenants.

17. Undertake supervision of junior staff as required.

18. Engage in regular supervision in line with professional and employer policies. Monitor, evaluate and modify approach to work with tenants with multiple and complex needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms.Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Flexible.
• Personal Integrity.
• Drive and enthusiasm.
• Ability to work in an inter-disciplinary multi-agency environment.
• Demonstrates and recognises difference and doesnt discriminate because of these differences.
• Genuine interest in working with client group.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse or
• Social Worker or
• Occupational Therapist.

Desirable

• PSI training.
• Relevant CPN qualification.
• AMHP.

Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Understanding by the post holder of their responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Understanding by the post holder of their responsibilities under the Care programme Approach, Clinical Governance, Risk Assessment and Child Protection Legislation & NICE guidelines.
• Ability to analyse and present complex information to professional colleagues.
• Supervisory leadership skills.
• Basic Keyboard Skills.
• Active Listening Skills.
• Effective Communication both written & verbal.
• Ability to inspire confidence in service users, carers and senior and junior staff.
• Influencing and Negotiating skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental Health.
• Demonstrate experience of working within a community setting, delivering mental health services on a 1-1 basis with service users.
• Experience of brief therapeutic work with people referred.

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).