Mental Health Practitioner in Lancaster

As a Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) within Lancaster Medical Practice (LMP) you will play an important role supporting patients with mild to moderate mental health problems. You will provide support to people suffering from various mental health conditions.

Main duties of the job

• Assessing and talking to patients about their problems and discussing the best way to plan and deliver their care within a time‑limited structure.
• Ensuring the correct administration of medication and monitoring the results of treatment, including reviewing and making recommendations regarding antidepressants and other commonly used medications.
• Carrying out mental health reviews for patients with a mental health condition or personality disorders.
• Seeing patients on the day and for follow‑up in connection with their mental health concerns.
• Telephone triage of acute mental health problems.
• Responding to distressed patients in a non‑threatening manner, understanding the source of distress and building relationships to encourage trust while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns.
• Applying de‑escalation techniques to help people manage their emotions and behaviour.
• Maintaining patient records and producing care plans and risk assessments, including assessment of the physical health of patients.
• Working with patients’ families and carers, helping to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems.
• Identifying whether and when patients are at risk of harming themselves or others.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Membership of a professional body.
• Continual Professional Development and CPD evidence/portfolio.
• Qualifications in therapeutic interventions.
• Prescribing qualification.

Experience

• Previous experience that demonstrates good attention to detail.
• Experience of working in a confidential environment.
• Experience of working with adults in a mental‑health setting.
• Experience of providing brief, effective treatment to adults.
• Experience of implementing protocols and clinical guidelines.
• Experience of quality initiatives such as clinical benchmarking.
• Experience in producing and analysing audits.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision.
• Previous experience of working in general practice, NHS or healthcare setting.
• Experience of working with voluntary agencies.
• Experience of delivering staff training.
• Evidence of innovation in practice.

Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of community care.
• Understanding of common mental health problems and their management in primary care.
• Understanding of the application of confidentiality in primary care.
• Awareness of stepped‑care approaches.
• Good general computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office, email and the internet.
• Evidence of excellent administration and organisational skills.
• An excellent standard of grammar and spelling in the English language.
• A conscientious approach and commitment to working in an adaptable and flexible manner.
• The ability to work effectively when busy and multi‑task when required.
• The ability to deal with personal information sensitively and respect people’s right to confidentiality.
• Able to work collaboratively with other staff.
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Time management.
• Clinical leadership skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
• Ability to show empathy along with excellent observational skills.
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness, common sense and local knowledge to respond to the needs of the patient.
• The ability to respond positively to changes both within the practice and at ICB level.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills for both practice and service need.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is necessary to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Pay Grade 6/7 depending on experience.