First Point of Contact PractitionerNHS AfC: Band 6 in Walsall

The role is part of the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme to embed Mental Health practitioners in Primary Care Networks. Successful applicants will be recruited, line managed and receive CPD & Supervision by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust but will be embedded and work in GP surgeries within the Primary Care Network. The purpose of the role is to bridge the gap between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health services by delivering high quality Mental Health care in Primary Care settings. This will allow the population of the Black Country to receive Mental Health care in GP settings and support individuals to access a range of interventions outside of traditional secondary care services.

Main duties of the job

• The post is suitable for practitioners from multiple professions (e.g. Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology).
• To deliver a range of interventions in a Primary Care setting including triage, assessment, signposting and brief interventions as well as supporting access to secondary care if required.
• Be an integral part of the general practice team and provide mental health assessment and care planning for patients within the designated PCN to meet the patient’s needs.
• Undertake clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, offering short term mental health interventions and seeking medical support when appropriate.
• Provide support and advice to GP’s and other practice staff in managing the mental health of the population.
• Support interface between multiple services and organisations across Primary Care, Secondary Care and Third Sector providers to facilitate the movement of patients between primary and secondary services and offer a choice of intervention to best meet individual needs.
• Take part in the Primary Care Network Integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team including reviews and meetings.
• Support the ongoing needs of individuals that no longer meet the requirements for Secondary care but still have a mental health need.

Working for our organisation

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country. Across the whole of the region we provide: Adult and older adult mental health services, Specialist learning disability services, CAMHS. Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, after NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving. We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work as First Contact Practitioner within GP practices, being the first point of contact for patients presenting with mental health problems.
• To complete an initial assessment of patient’s mental health needs and identify the most appropriate pathway/ treatment plan, making referrals or sign posting to the most relevant service for further intervention.
• To complete thorough risk assessments and work with patients to develop risk management plans and where appropriate refer to specialist services, ensuring the safety of patients is maintained.
• Using expert knowledge, make brief interventions and follow up patients that do not require talking therapies or secondary care mental health services, or patients who may require additional support to access and engage with these services.
• Support patients with health promotion and self-management of their mental well being.
• Understand the social factors which are relevant to mental health problems and to be aware of and respectful of the cultures, customs, values and spiritual/ religious practices and beliefs of all patients.
• Establish and maintain relationships with patients and their significant others, communicating effectively and recognising the need for varying methods of communication.
• Be sensitive to information disclosed by patients and their significant others and maintain confidentiality.
• Respond appropriately, safely and compassionately to patients presenting in high levels of distress.
• Recognise the signs of abuse/ safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action, being aware of statutory and local procedures.
• Have a good knowledge of mental health services in primary, secondary care and the voluntary sector and understand how to refer and navigate patients around these services.

Person specification

Qualification and experience

Essential criteria

Achieved grade/qualification.

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within community mental health.