About this role
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.
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
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.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Post-registration experience of providing a range of evidence-based interventions to people experiencing a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illness. Demonstrable expertise in the complex assessment of people with mental health issues. Experience of managing a clinical caseload. Experience of working autonomously. Experience of working collaboratively with other professionals and services. Experience of, or a good understanding of, working within a primary care setting.
Desirable
Experience of working within primary care. Experience of working with GPimhs/MHICs or similar primary care mental health services. Experience of multidisciplinary working. Experience of prescribing or working within a prescribing role. Experience of working across organisational boundaries.
Skills & Knowledge Essential
Ability to undertake complex mental health assessments. Ability to assess and manage risk appropriately. Ability to provide evidence-based interventions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate sensitively and empathetically with patients experiencing distress or complex circumstances. Ability to work independently and manage an appropriate clinical caseload. Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Strong organisational and workload-management skills. Ability to develop effective working relationships with a range of professionals and external agencies. Commitment to evidence-based practice. Commitment to continuing professional development
Additional Essential
Be proactive and committed to delivering high-quality patient care. Take a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing. Demonstrate compassion and empathy. Be confident working with complexity. Be adaptable and able to work effectively within a changing primary care environment. Demonstrate a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and partner organisations. Be passionate about improving mental health provision within primary care. Demonstrate a commitment to patient-centred care. Be committed to professional development and maintaining high standards of practice.
Desirable
Prescribing Development Prescribing experience or an existing prescribing qualification would be desirable. We recognise that practitioners may be at different stages of their professional development. Candidates who do not currently hold a prescribing qualification but demonstrate a willingness to undertake appropriate further training and develop their prescribing skills will be considered. This provides an opportunity for the successful candidate to broaden their clinical practice while working within a supportive primary care environment. Additional Requirements Subject to reasonable adjustments in respect of any disability, the post holder must: Hold a valid driving licence. Be able to drive. Have the unrestricted use of a car or motorcycle for work purposes at all times.
Qualifications Essential
Degree-level qualification or equivalent in Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work. Current professional registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.
Desirable
Prescribing qualification or prescribing experience. Evidence of relevant additional training or continuing professional development.
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 Oakley Health Group
Address Yateley Medical Centre
Oaklands
Yateley
Hampshire
GU46 7LS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oakleyhealth.org/ (Opens in a new tab)