Job summary
We are seeking to recruit to a Mental Health Practitioner vacancy in Sutton Primary Care Networks. This is a unique opportunity for a Registered Mental Health Nurse to join the Sutton PCN providing a combined consultation, advice, triage/assessment, and liaison function in a primary care setting.
We are looking to fill a full-time position (37.5 hours a week) over 5 days - typically Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm (flexibility can be discussed at interview). The successful candidate will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, receiving referrals from GP surgeries and supporting patient transition from secondary care to primary care by providing up to three step-down sessions and vice-versa i.e., from primary care to secondary care (when more specialist or intensive support is required).
We offer a supportive working environment, with a visible and accessible management team. Supervision is a priority as we pride ourselves in supporting staff to meet the needs of the patient and we are committed to delivering an exemplary service with a strong culture of training and education.
in specified Primary Care Network(s), providing support to GP practices for patients presenting with mental health problems. This support will include provision of advice, education, support and interventions to patients and carers through bookable appointments.
You will provide expert advice and education to primary care staff across the specified Primary Care Network(s).
Main duties of the job
- To provide medicine education and adherence advice and lifestyle advice for patients and their carers, presenting with mental health problems
- Assist in supporting early intervention and supporting shared decision-making around self management
- To carry out triage assessments as required.
- To support GPs in giving patients depot injections where appropriate.
- To work with patients and team members to support engagement with appropriate services and treatment which may include onward referral to secondary mental health services or signposting to other mental health services, social prescribers, voluntary services and community-based support groups
- To support patients to transition from secondary care to primary care by providing up to three step-down sessions at the point of step down from secondary care services
- To provide ongoing specialist support to patients to transition from primary care to secondary care when more specialist or intensive support is required
About us
Sutton PCN is forward-looking, friendly and focused on providing a wide range of excellent healthcare services to patients in Sutton and the surrounding area. There are also currently 9 PCN Clinical Directors. We merged as we could see the benefits of working together in a larger GP partnership and we are delighted to be realising some of those benefits now. Because of our scale, not only are we more resilient and efficient but we are able to invest in continuous quality improvement, enhanced care, new services and training and developing our workforce. We value the diversity of our colleagues and actively champion an inclusive culture and are committed to helping our colleagues achieve a work/life balance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To provide medicine education and adherence advice and lifestyle advice for patients and their carers, presenting with mental health problems
- Assist in supporting early intervention and supporting shared decision-making around self management
- To carry out triage assessments as required.
- To support GPs in giving patients depot injections where appropriate.
- To work with patients and team members to support engagement with appropriate services and treatment which may include onward referral to secondary mental health services or signposting to other mental health services, social prescribers, voluntary services and community-based support groups
- To support patients to transition from secondary care to primary care by providing up to three step-down sessions at the point of step down from secondary care services
- To support patients to stay well within their local communities, including the re-enforcement of newly learned psychology techniques
- Work at all times to promote the safety and the well being of service users and their families/carers
- To develop a close relationship with Primary Care practices, attending practice meetings and having regular informal contact.
- To work closely and in partnership with colleagues within primary care and local NHS trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
- To support primary care teams with the administration of long-acting injections for those patients with complex needs
- To support patients on the SMI register to access annual physical health checks and to carry out these checks and physical health monitoring for those patients with complex needs
- To maintain accurate, contemporaneous healthcare records appropriate to the consultation.
Quality Improvement
- To contribute to the improvement of pathways between primary and secondary care and where practicable, to standardise processes across the PCN
- To support primary care initiatives which improve the physical health outcomes of those with a long-term mental health condition and the mental health outcomes of those with a long-term physical health condition
Training, Development and Education
- To provide specialist mental health specific training and shared learning for staff across the primary care network, including providing specialist advice relating to mental health
- To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Sutton PCN policy, identifying individual training needs.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
- To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
General - This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
- This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the postholder.
- The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Sutton PCN policies, procedures and guidelines.
- The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
- The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To provide medicine education and adherence advice and lifestyle advice for patients and their carers, presenting with mental health problems
- Assist in supporting early intervention and supporting shared decision-making around self management
- To carry out triage assessments as required.
- To support GPs in giving patients depot injections where appropriate.
- To work with patients and team members to support engagement with appropriate services and treatment which may include onward referral to secondary mental health services or signposting to other mental health services, social prescribers, voluntary services and community-based support groups
- To support patients to transition from secondary care to primary care by providing up to three step-down sessions at the point of step down from secondary care services
- To support patients to stay well within their local communities, including the re-enforcement of newly learned psychology techniques
- Work at all times to promote the safety and the well being of service users and their families/carers
- To develop a close relationship with Primary Care practices, attending practice meetings and having regular informal contact.
- To work closely and in partnership with colleagues within primary care and local NHS trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
- To support primary care teams with the administration of long-acting injections for those patients with complex needs
- To support patients on the SMI register to access annual physical health checks and to carry out these checks and physical health monitoring for those patients with complex needs
- To maintain accurate, contemporaneous healthcare records appropriate to the consultation.
Quality Improvement
- To contribute to the improvement of pathways between primary and secondary care and where practicable, to standardise processes across the PCN
- To support primary care initiatives which improve the physical health outcomes of those with a long-term mental health condition and the mental health outcomes of those with a long-term physical health condition
Training, Development and Education
- To provide specialist mental health specific training and shared learning for staff across the primary care network, including providing specialist advice relating to mental health
- To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Sutton PCN policy, identifying individual training needs.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
- To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
General - This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
- This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the postholder.
- The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Sutton PCN policies, procedures and guidelines.
- The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
- The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working clinically at Band 5 or equivalent.
- Experience of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of research based/reflective practice e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
- Knowledge of relevant professional and clinical legislation
- Ability to proactively and independently manage a workload.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within primary care
- Experience of working consultatively with professionals
- Evidencing of completing and/or supporting clinical research projects and audits
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide quality care that is responsive to service user needs, without close supervision
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- Resilient: able to cope in difficult interpersonal situations
- Ability to complete comprehensive assessments where required.
- Approachable
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- IT skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of using quality improvement methodologies
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems.
- Ability to fulfil all the requirements of the role (including physical)
- Loyal and able to advocate and show commitment in the work area and organisation and demonstrate values of both Sutton PCNs and the NHS
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working clinically at Band 5 or equivalent.
- Experience of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of research based/reflective practice e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
- Knowledge of relevant professional and clinical legislation
- Ability to proactively and independently manage a workload.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within primary care
- Experience of working consultatively with professionals
- Evidencing of completing and/or supporting clinical research projects and audits
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide quality care that is responsive to service user needs, without close supervision
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- Resilient: able to cope in difficult interpersonal situations
- Ability to complete comprehensive assessments where required.
- Approachable
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- IT skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of using quality improvement methodologies
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems.
- Ability to fulfil all the requirements of the role (including physical)
- Loyal and able to advocate and show commitment in the work area and organisation and demonstrate values of both Sutton PCNs and the NHS
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).
Additional information
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).
