About this role
Job summary
We have two exciting vacancies for Mental Health Practitioners with a Nursing/OT or Social Work qualification in the Single Point of Access Teams, one in Camden and one in Barnet. We are seeking a highly motivated and skilledSingle Point of Access (SPA) Screener to join our dynamic mental health services team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in providing timely access to mental health care, working at the front door of our services to assess referrals, manage risk, and support service users in accessing the most appropriate pathway for their needs.As a SPA Screener, you will be the first point of contact for referrals into community mental health services. You will work collaboratively with service users, carers, GPs, primary care colleagues, community mental health teams, and partner agencies to ensure safe, effective, and person-centred triage and assessment.
You will be responsible for reviewing referrals, gathering relevant information, assessing clinical risk, determining eligibility, and signposting or allocating referrals to the most appropriate service.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate professional who can:
- Screen and triage incoming referrals to mental health services.
- Undertake telephone and digital assessments, gathering comprehensive information to inform clinical decision-making.
- Assess and manage risk, escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Ensure referrals meet service criteria and determine the most suitable care pathway.
- Provide advice, guidance, and signposting to service users, carers, and professionals.
- Liaise with GPs, social care, acute services, voluntary sector organisations, and other stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
- Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
- Work within safeguarding policies and relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people. Our Five-Year Strategy:
- 1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
- 2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
- 3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
- 4. We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.
Why NLFT?
We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
NHS Discounts, generous annual leave, and NHS pension scheme
Excellent internal staff network
In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Kindly have a look at the attached job description and person specification for the detailed job description.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Qualification (RMN, OT, SW) with current professional registration with relevant body.
- Evidence of mental health training
- Evidence of continued relevant professional development
Experience & Skills
Essential
- Experience of working within a community setting relating to mental health
- Experience of inter - agency working
- Assessment and care planning skills
- Caseload management skills
- Good written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Networking skills
- Problem solving skills
- Organisational skills
- Computer skills
Desirable
- Experience of working with drug and alcohol services
- Experience of supervising staff / junior personnel
- Experience of leadership of project or working groups / policy implementation
- Experience of working in primary care
- Research skills
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to develop and deliver a service which promotes choice, involves patients and their relatives, friends and carers in all discussions regarding needs and care provided
- Ability to work effectively under own initiative
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
North London NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Spring well Centre/Margarete
Barnet/Camden
London
EN5 3DJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)