About this role
Job summary
Are you a passionate and experienced mental health clinician ready to lead innovation at the frontline of 999 care?
Join South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) -- a national leader in urgent mental health response. We're redefining crisis care with dedicated Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs), specialist triage teams in our control rooms, and a leading role in the award winning Integrated Access Partnership. This is your opportunity to make a real difference, driving change and shaping the future of community based emergency mental health support.
As our Deputy Head of Mental Health, you'll play a vital role in shaping and delivering high quality patient care, driving strategic development, and ensuring best clinical outcomes for those experiencing a mental health crisis across the South West.
This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of mental health care in the emergency pathway. You'll collaborate with emergency services, healthcare providers, and commissioners to develop pathways that transform pre-hospital mental health care.
We're looking for a strong clinical leader with expertise in mental health strategy, governance, workforce development, and partnership working. You'll have the authority and autonomy to influence services at local, regional, and national levels, ensuring innovative, patient-centred care.
If you're passionate about shaping the future of mental health services within emergency care, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
This role requires a highly skilled mental health clinician and operational leader (with at least 3 years post qualifying experience) who is passionate about enhancing mental health care, fostering collaboration, and driving strategic improvements within the Trust.
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive mental health strategy, policies, and clinical guidelines to ensure high-quality patient care.
Alongside the Head of Mental Health, oversee all SWASFT mental health delivery and quality improvement initiatives across the South West.
Operational & Clinical Leadership: Lead the delivery of key service targets, integrated governance, workforce planning, and financial sustainability within mental health services.
Training & Development: Support the education and development of staff within the Ambulance sector.
Quality & Patient Safety: Lead clinical governance initiatives, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and enhancing patient safety measures.
Crisis Management: Participate in the on-call senior management rota, making informed decisions in complex, high-pressure situations.
Clinical Expertise & Case Reviews: Provide expert clinical advice, contribute to Coroner's cases, and support patient safety investigations across the Trust.
Staff & HR Support: Provide clinical guidance in disciplinary or capability concerns, recruitment, and staff development
There is an opportunity for dedicated clinical hours to uplift this role to full-time hours.
About us
Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
The role is based in Bristol, a lively yet laid-back city with top class shopping, street food, dynamic events and friendly festivals and excellent national and international transport links.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.
In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.
You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.
Benefits
Competitive NHS salary A standard working week of 37.5 hours Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working Generous Pension Scheme Career and salary progression Car leasing scheme Free parking across Trust sites Staff networks Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the U
Job description Job responsibilities
See attached job description regarding the role.
There is an opportunity for additional hours to provide dedicated clinical time.
Please note: The job description for this role is currently indicative and therefore may be subject to change.
For more information on the Integrated Access Partnership see the following website: https://www.awp.nhs.uk/our-services/urgent-care/mental-health-integrated-access-partnership.
Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Registered Mental health clinician with significant post reg experience Experience of working within mental health acute care Leadership qualification or experience
Desirable
Evidence of CPD beyond the minimum required to maintain professional registration
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 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address SWASFT Emergency Operations Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol
Bristol
BS32 4QJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)