Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 23 February 2026

Job summary

The post holder will be an extension of the Primary Care GP Practice, working alongside General Practitioners in providing an augmented mental health service to individuals currently on GP caseloads who have low to medium term mental health problems.

The post holder will independently assess and provide high quality care and advise to patients with mental health problems as well as take decisions to signpost individuals onto appropriate community service support.

The post holder will work predominately within the General Practices alongside all disciplines and professionals to help educate, develop and support a clear understanding of the complexities and scope of Mental Health need within the population.

The post holder will liaise closely with Secondary Care Mental Health Services, Local Primary Mental Health Support Services (LPMHSS) and Third Sector Organisations to ensure cohesive and purposeful pathways of care. There will be an expectation to produce evidence that can be used to inform future service design and commissioning of services. This will include using outcome measures, and promoting the highest possible utilization of the service.

The post may include some unsocial hours. The post-holder will be required to provide services to a number of Primary Care Teams within a Cluster of GP practices.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner to work as part of an Community Health and Wellbeing Team.

This multi-disciplinary team will provide community support for GP's and the post holder will offer specialist mental health support to promote positive mental health behaviours, access to assessment, treatment and advice.

The successful applicant will be required to provide services to a number of GP practices within an Community Health and Wellbeing Team.

  • The post holder will provide high quality care and advice to patients with mental health problems as well as take decisions to signpost individuals onto appropriate community service support.
  • The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary Community Health and Wellbeing Team within a community setting to support GP's and other practice staff.
  • The post holder will liaise closely with Third sector organisation, Local Primary Mental Health Support Services (LPMHSS) and Secondary Care Mental Health Services including crisis teams and to ensure seamless and purposeful pathways of care.
  • There will be an expectation to work across the 4 cluster areas of Rhondda/Taff Ely/Merthyr/Cynon but primarily in the Merthyr/ Cynon.

About us

Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board, part of NHS Wales, serves a large population across a diverse and beautiful region, steeped in history and heritage. With nearly 13,500 staff, our health board is one of Wales's largest employers.

Together, we are Team CTM; a workforce dedicated to offering excellent patient care and support to the 450,000 people across our three regions, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We operate three District General hospitals, several community hospitals, primary and community care facilities.

CTM's location offers the best of South Wales, just 20 minutes from Cardiff's vibrant city life, the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the serene coastline at Ogmore. Whether you enjoy lively urban amenities, peaceful countryside, or seaside escapes, our location makes an ideal setting for both work and personal life.

Our CTM 2030 Strategy--Our Health, Our Future--focuses on uniting our region around shared health and wellbeing goals. Our values guide us daily:

o We listen, learn, and improve

o We treat everyone with respect

o We work together as one team

CTM employees enjoy benefits including; a leading pension, generous leave, flexible work, career growth, and access to ongoing learning and development.

At CTM, you'll find a welcoming, team-oriented workplace that values diversity and compassion, where you can take pride in your work and the difference it makes.

Details

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,263 to £47,280 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

110-NMR030-0226

Job locations

Community - Merthyr

Kier Hardie University Health Park

Aberdare Road

CF48 1BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The post holder will also offer mental health support to a multi-disciplinary team who have referrals for people with physical health issues and comorbidities.

Welsh Skills Desirable:This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. Thisdoesntmean essential;whilst the candidatedoesn'tneed to have skills in Welsh,we'llconsider it an advantage when short-listingand selectingcandidates.Thisisntfluency,just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about their everyday health.For more information, see Welsh Language Guidance inthedocuments right at the bottom.

The practitioner will be expected to offer first line contact with advice and interventions supplemented by onward sign posting or referral to Adult CMHT/Crisis Services or LPMHSS or any of a range of third sector initiatives in the local community. This information will be complex and mostly condition specific and sensitive information.

Ensure clear communication channels with the relevant LPMHSS, CMHT, third sector agency or relevant service as and when appropriate to better advise the GP on management of the case.

Support GPs and other stakeholders to understand the ethos of the project and persuade and negotiate with the multi-agency stakeholders the ongoing use of this resource.

Establish effective liaison between LPMHSS, CMHTs, Crisis Services and the inpatient units by improving the transfer of clinical information and by the promotion of good communication.

Provide face to face consultations with patients referred by the GP.

Act as a specialist advisor to the GPs assisting with referral pathways.

Offer practical mental health guidance and support to GPs in their Cluster.

Develop and enhancing communications between patients, Primary Care, Secondary Care and the Third sector services.

Provide clinical expertise in mental health, advanced practice and specialist knowledge in support of the delivery of access to secondary and primary mental health services. Their expertise will support GPs in the local care and management of their patients.

Assisting patients to identify the most productive recovery pathway from a knowledge of the most effective and available options and referring or signposting as appropriate.

Be a resource for the GP practice who will request patients to attend appointments with them for discussion of the most appropriate response towards promoting recovery of the patients well-being and mental health as a more specialist alternative to brief repeated GP appointments.

Be responsible for the delivery of timely, formulations of a patients needs within the scope of their practice on behalf of the GP Cluster.

Be expected to facilitate a what matters conversation with a patient and, if necessary, undertake specialist mental health assessment of emergency referrals from within their respective GP practice liaising with secondary services as necessary.

Provide expert specialist knowledge.

Engage in appropriate clinical supervision to support own practice development and offer clinical supervision to others as required.

Provide support to clients on discharge from LPMHSS and Secondary Services, ensuring any Primary care Mental Health need is met as planned.

Identify, develop and implement changes to clinical practice within the clinical area.

Complete risk assessments/management plans and escalate any concerns as appropriate.

Provide a point of contact for LPMHSS and Secondary Services in managing transitions and discharges, working with patients understanding of their rights under Part III of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure.

Provide advice to the GP in considering risk assessments particularly in respect of urgent or emergency referrals to Secondary Care.

This post is developing new practice models in primary care which will influence and contribute to the evidence base development for an all Wales model of care and treatment.

Participate in Primary Care Practice and service development initiatives as required, proposing changes to working practices and have involvement in the development and implementation of policies that impact across the multidisciplinary teams.

Act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all Health Board Policies and Procedures.

Participate in patient/client/family surveys and service evaluation in partnership with service users and carers to inform future service and practice development.

Demonstrate an understanding of the resource implications of clinical decision making.

Use available resources effectively ensuring adherence to financial control procedures.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team fostering good communication with colleagues across Acute and Primary care and all disciplines.

Work autonomously and flexibly within GP practices to competently screen, prioritise and triage mental health referrals from Primary Care, including risk assessment and signposting to relevant agencies such as LPMHSS, CMHTs, voluntary organisations and other statutory support services.

Liaise with statutory and voluntary sector agencies, in particular GPs and the third sector mental health providers.

Develop culturally appropriate, non-discriminatory treatment strategies with, and refer or signpost to evidence based interventions to clients experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems within an appropriate community or primary care setting, using an integrative care model.

Establish rapport and maintain supportive professional relationships with clients and their carers, recognising the stress associated with caring.

Communicating sensitive information relating to the patients condition and providing reassurance.

Provide specialist clinical support and advice to GPs, primary care counsellors and other disciplines working within the primary care sector with regard to mental health issues and care plan development.

Ensure record keeping meets the standards required by the relevant professional code of conduct, utilising paper-based or IT systems as directed by the Operational Manager and ensuring information sharing protocols are understood and appropriately explained to clients.

Establish effective working relationships with partner agencies in the voluntary sector.

Undertake any specialised training and education required for the PCLS Mental Health Practitioner role.

Provides training on the PCLS service model to others to develop knowledge of the service and to support collaborative working across services and sectors to include Cluster Leads, Clinical Directors and Practice Managers and Mental Health and Primary, Community and Intermediate Care Boards.

Contribute to the on-going mapping, review and further development of the operational policy for the Primary Care Liaison Service and act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all UHB Policies and Procedures.

Maintain knowledge of and follow all UHB, Directorate and Department policies including those concerning accurate record keeping and required documentation including use of Primary Care recording systems and data collection.

Access and manage critical/unpredictable situations that arise, either in relation to the individual or within the wider team.

Manage and maintain a diary of all work activities, making it available for audit of work and travel as necessary.

Participate in the delivery of care, ensuring consistency and continuity in the quality of care.

Engage in appropriate clinical supervision to support practice development.

Set up, organise and maintain a range of clinics as required ensuring effective communication and continuity of care.

Act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all UHB Policies and Procedures.

Participate in patient/client surveys and service evaluation in partnership with service users and carers to inform future service developments.

Demonstrate an understanding of the resource implications of clinical decision making.

Act as a mentor to student placements and provide support and supervision to new/less experienced staff.

Participate in annual Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) providing evidence of achievement against agreed objectives and maintaining a professional portfolio.

Create accurate, contemporaneous clinical records utilising established systems within clinical teams.

Participate in clinical multi-disciplinary audit ensuring the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The post holder will also offer mental health support to a multi-disciplinary team who have referrals for people with physical health issues and comorbidities.

Welsh Skills Desirable:This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. Thisdoesntmean essential;whilst the candidatedoesn'tneed to have skills in Welsh,we'llconsider it an advantage when short-listingand selectingcandidates.Thisisntfluency,just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about their everyday health.For more information, see Welsh Language Guidance inthedocuments right at the bottom.

The practitioner will be expected to offer first line contact with advice and interventions supplemented by onward sign posting or referral to Adult CMHT/Crisis Services or LPMHSS or any of a range of third sector initiatives in the local community. This information will be complex and mostly condition specific and sensitive information.

Ensure clear communication channels with the relevant LPMHSS, CMHT, third sector agency or relevant service as and when appropriate to better advise the GP on management of the case.

Support GPs and other stakeholders to understand the ethos of the project and persuade and negotiate with the multi-agency stakeholders the ongoing use of this resource.

Establish effective liaison between LPMHSS, CMHTs, Crisis Services and the inpatient units by improving the transfer of clinical information and by the promotion of good communication.

Provide face to face consultations with patients referred by the GP.

Act as a specialist advisor to the GPs assisting with referral pathways.

Offer practical mental health guidance and support to GPs in their Cluster.

Develop and enhancing communications between patients, Primary Care, Secondary Care and the Third sector services.

Provide clinical expertise in mental health, advanced practice and specialist knowledge in support of the delivery of access to secondary and primary mental health services. Their expertise will support GPs in the local care and management of their patients.

Assisting patients to identify the most productive recovery pathway from a knowledge of the most effective and available options and referring or signposting as appropriate.

Be a resource for the GP practice who will request patients to attend appointments with them for discussion of the most appropriate response towards promoting recovery of the patients well-being and mental health as a more specialist alternative to brief repeated GP appointments.

Be responsible for the delivery of timely, formulations of a patients needs within the scope of their practice on behalf of the GP Cluster.

Be expected to facilitate a what matters conversation with a patient and, if necessary, undertake specialist mental health assessment of emergency referrals from within their respective GP practice liaising with secondary services as necessary.

Provide expert specialist knowledge.

Engage in appropriate clinical supervision to support own practice development and offer clinical supervision to others as required.

Provide support to clients on discharge from LPMHSS and Secondary Services, ensuring any Primary care Mental Health need is met as planned.

Identify, develop and implement changes to clinical practice within the clinical area.

Complete risk assessments/management plans and escalate any concerns as appropriate.

Provide a point of contact for LPMHSS and Secondary Services in managing transitions and discharges, working with patients understanding of their rights under Part III of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure.

Provide advice to the GP in considering risk assessments particularly in respect of urgent or emergency referrals to Secondary Care.

This post is developing new practice models in primary care which will influence and contribute to the evidence base development for an all Wales model of care and treatment.

Participate in Primary Care Practice and service development initiatives as required, proposing changes to working practices and have involvement in the development and implementation of policies that impact across the multidisciplinary teams.

Act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all Health Board Policies and Procedures.

Participate in patient/client/family surveys and service evaluation in partnership with service users and carers to inform future service and practice development.

Demonstrate an understanding of the resource implications of clinical decision making.

Use available resources effectively ensuring adherence to financial control procedures.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team fostering good communication with colleagues across Acute and Primary care and all disciplines.

Work autonomously and flexibly within GP practices to competently screen, prioritise and triage mental health referrals from Primary Care, including risk assessment and signposting to relevant agencies such as LPMHSS, CMHTs, voluntary organisations and other statutory support services.

Liaise with statutory and voluntary sector agencies, in particular GPs and the third sector mental health providers.

Develop culturally appropriate, non-discriminatory treatment strategies with, and refer or signpost to evidence based interventions to clients experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems within an appropriate community or primary care setting, using an integrative care model.

Establish rapport and maintain supportive professional relationships with clients and their carers, recognising the stress associated with caring.

Communicating sensitive information relating to the patients condition and providing reassurance.

Provide specialist clinical support and advice to GPs, primary care counsellors and other disciplines working within the primary care sector with regard to mental health issues and care plan development.

Ensure record keeping meets the standards required by the relevant professional code of conduct, utilising paper-based or IT systems as directed by the Operational Manager and ensuring information sharing protocols are understood and appropriately explained to clients.

Establish effective working relationships with partner agencies in the voluntary sector.

Undertake any specialised training and education required for the PCLS Mental Health Practitioner role.

Provides training on the PCLS service model to others to develop knowledge of the service and to support collaborative working across services and sectors to include Cluster Leads, Clinical Directors and Practice Managers and Mental Health and Primary, Community and Intermediate Care Boards.

Contribute to the on-going mapping, review and further development of the operational policy for the Primary Care Liaison Service and act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all UHB Policies and Procedures.

Maintain knowledge of and follow all UHB, Directorate and Department policies including those concerning accurate record keeping and required documentation including use of Primary Care recording systems and data collection.

Access and manage critical/unpredictable situations that arise, either in relation to the individual or within the wider team.

Manage and maintain a diary of all work activities, making it available for audit of work and travel as necessary.

Participate in the delivery of care, ensuring consistency and continuity in the quality of care.

Engage in appropriate clinical supervision to support practice development.

Set up, organise and maintain a range of clinics as required ensuring effective communication and continuity of care.

Act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and all UHB Policies and Procedures.

Participate in patient/client surveys and service evaluation in partnership with service users and carers to inform future service developments.

Demonstrate an understanding of the resource implications of clinical decision making.

Act as a mentor to student placements and provide support and supervision to new/less experienced staff.

Participate in annual Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) providing evidence of achievement against agreed objectives and maintaining a professional portfolio.

Create accurate, contemporaneous clinical records utilising established systems within clinical teams.

Participate in clinical multi-disciplinary audit ensuring the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional registration - RMN
  • Degree in mental health related subject or experience gained in the workplace. Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Evidence of post- registration continuing professional development activity, including attendance of appropriate study days, short courses

Desirable

  • Psychotherapy skills including Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, CBT

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate significant post registration experience of working with patients within a Community Mental Health setting and of the assessment of people presenting with mental health problems
  • Assessment & management of clinical risk
  • Managing own caseload
  • Evidence of experience in practice within the area of speciality

Desirable

  • Working in a primary care setting
  • Experience of working within a multi-agency community setting

Skills

Essential

  • Clinically competent. Ability to assess and interpret patients condition and take appropriate action
  • Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, both written & verbal.
  • Organisational and time management skills.
  • Ability to work independently & as part of a team.

Desirable

  • Clinical supervision skills
  • Teaching skills
  • Welsh Language Skills (Level 3 and above/B2) are Desirable for this Role.

Special Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of mental health issues & public health agenda
  • Mental Health and Social Care legislation.
  • An understanding of resource implications of clinical decision making
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional registration - RMN
  • Degree in mental health related subject or experience gained in the workplace. Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Evidence of post- registration continuing professional development activity, including attendance of appropriate study days, short courses

Desirable

  • Psychotherapy skills including Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, CBT

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate significant post registration experience of working with patients within a Community Mental Health setting and of the assessment of people presenting with mental health problems
  • Assessment & management of clinical risk
  • Managing own caseload
  • Evidence of experience in practice within the area of speciality

Desirable

  • Working in a primary care setting
  • Experience of working within a multi-agency community setting

Skills

Essential

  • Clinically competent. Ability to assess and interpret patients condition and take appropriate action
  • Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, both written & verbal.
  • Organisational and time management skills.
  • Ability to work independently & as part of a team.

Desirable

  • Clinical supervision skills
  • Teaching skills
  • Welsh Language Skills (Level 3 and above/B2) are Desirable for this Role.

Special Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of mental health issues & public health agenda
  • Mental Health and Social Care legislation.
  • An understanding of resource implications of clinical decision making

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Address

Community - Merthyr

Kier Hardie University Health Park

Aberdare Road

CF48 1BZ


Employer's website

https://joinctm.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Address

Community - Merthyr

Kier Hardie University Health Park

Aberdare Road

CF48 1BZ


Employer's website

https://joinctm.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Primary Care Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

Esther Whitelock

esther.j.whitelock@wales.nhs.uk

07855394490

Details

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,263 to £47,280 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

110-NMR030-0226

Job locations

Community - Merthyr

Kier Hardie University Health Park

Aberdare Road

CF48 1BZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)