Mental Health PractitionerNHS

Job summary

Oakley Health Group is a large and progressive GP practice supporting over 29,000 patients across four practice sites in Yateley and Blackwater.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to join our primary care team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive mental health professional who is passionate about delivering high-quality, holistic and patient-centred care within a primary care setting.

The successful candidate will work closely with GPs, practice staff and the wider GPimhs/MHICs team, providing assessment, advice, evidence-based interventions, onward referral and signposting for patients presenting with a range of mental health needs.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of working in primary care who are confident managing a varied and complex mental health caseload.

Applicants must hold a degree-level qualification or equivalent in Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work, together with current professional registration with the relevant professional body.

Prescribing experience or an existing prescribing qualification is desirable. However, we welcome applicants who demonstrate a willingness to undertake appropriate further training and develop their prescribing skills.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Undertake comprehensive and complex mental health assessments, identifying appropriate interventions, support and onward referral.
• Provide evidence-based interventions to people experiencing a range of mental health problems and serious mental illness.
• Review patients and consider appropriate treatment options, liaising with GPs and the GPimhs/MHICs team.
• Act as a professional point of contact for GPs, providing advice, support and signposting.
• Manage an autonomous clinical caseload and take responsibility for the quality of care delivered.
• Communicate sensitively and empathetically with patients experiencing distress or complex circumstances.
• Work collaboratively with GPs, practice staff, mental health services and external agencies.
• Liaise with relevant resources including Welfare Rights, Housing Agencies, voluntary organisations and Day Services.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records in line with practice policies, professional standards and NICE guidance.
• Undertake relevant caseload administration and participate in multidisciplinary and professional meetings.
• Contribute to safeguarding, risk management and serious concern processes as required.
• Maintain effective communication with the GPimhs/MHICs team to support safe, coordinated patient care.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of mental health provision within primary care and support the continued development of services at Oakley Health Group.

Job description

The post holder will:

• Assess and review patients presenting with a range of mental health needs.
• Undertake complex assessments and identify appropriate interventions, support and onward referral.
• Provide evidence-based interventions to people experiencing mental health problems and serious mental illness.
• Provide professional advice and support to GPs and practice colleagues.
• Manage an allocated clinical caseload effectively and autonomously.
• Assess and manage risk appropriately, escalating concerns where required.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and professionals, including in situations that may be highly emotive or complex.
• Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across primary care, mental health services and external agencies.
• Support collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential clinical records.
• Work within relevant professional standards, practice policies and evidence-based guidance, including NICE guidance.
• Liaise with external organisations and community resources where appropriate.
• Participate in safeguarding, risk management and serious concern processes as required.
• Contribute to professional and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Support the continued development and improvement of mental health services within primary care.
• Maintain professional competence and participate in continuing professional development.

About us

Oakley Health Group is a large GP practice supporting a population of over 29,000 patients across four sites in Yateley and Blackwater.

We are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care and developing services that respond to the needs of our local population.

The successful candidate will work within a supportive primary care environment alongside GPs, practice staff and specialist mental health colleagues.

This role provides an opportunity to contribute to the continued development of mental health services within primary care while developing your own clinical skills and professional practice.

We are looking for someone who is proactive, collaborative and passionate about improving patient care, and who can work confidently both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.