Oxford Health NHS Trust

Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

Are you a Mental Health Practitioner who is passionate about establishing better access to Mental Health Support within the Community?

Oxford Health is excited to be working in partnership with Rural West Primary Care Network on the introduction of a Specialist Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) for Primary Care on a part time basis.

In Oxfordshire we are working in partnership to improve community mental health services and plug the gaps between primary and secondary care. Your role will be crucial to developing strong partnership working relationships between, other primary, secondary and third sector mental health support services at a community level.

This role will support patients aged 18+ in accessing mental health care directly within their GP surgeries, strengthening connections with specialist mental health services. You'll play a key role in bridging gaps between primary, secondary, and third-sector mental health support in the community.

Based within the Rural West PCN, covering Bampton, Broadshires, Burford, and Charlbury surgeries, you'll work closely with local GP teams, while being supported by Oxford Health's mental health teams for line management, clinical supervision, and professional development. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive individual with a passion for innovative, holistic mental health care.

Main duties of the job

As part of surgery Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT) you will provide triage, assessment and mental health advice to patients presenting at their GP surgery. Your role will support primary care in offering enhanced support to patients with mental health conditions, facilitating early intervention, supporting recovery and helping them to live well in their community.

To support the PCN in triaging mental health concerns raised by on the day patient requests, providing specialist advice and support within GP surgeries.
To review patients presenting with mental health issues, consider a range of options regarding treatment interventions providing them with highly specialised advice concerning care when appropriate and liaising with GPs and MH teams.
To offer brief interventions as needed e.g. problem solving, decision making, building resilience, building on personal strengths, risk de-escalation, medication advice and prescribing if a registered NMP.
Working as a member of the primary Care MDT and taking responsibility for the development and implementation of specialist mental health training to the PCN.
To provide a navigation role to help GP's make appropriate referrals to the relevant community and secondary care services - bridging the gap between primary care services such as IAPT and secondary care, working in partnership across the system.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

14 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

267-OA7542970

Job locations

Rural West PCN

West Oxfordshire-Charlbury, Carterton,Bampton, Burford

OX18 1JA

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist

Desirable

Independent and supplementary Prescriber

Knowledge

Essential

Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe / significant mental illness

Desirable

Experience of working in primary and secondary mental health services

Skills

Essential

Experience of providing a range of evidence based interventions to people with a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illness

Desirable

Specialist knowledge relating to MH needs of young adults age 18-25 and to the needs of those diagnosed with, or with presenting traits of, personality disorder

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist

Desirable

Independent and supplementary Prescriber

Knowledge

Essential

Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe / significant mental illness

Desirable

Experience of working in primary and secondary mental health services

Skills

Essential

Experience of providing a range of evidence based interventions to people with a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illness

Desirable

Specialist knowledge relating to MH needs of young adults age 18-25 and to the needs of those diagnosed with, or with presenting traits of, personality disorder

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

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Rural West PCN

West Oxfordshire-Charlbury, Carterton,Bampton, Burford

OX18 1JA

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Rural West PCN

West Oxfordshire-Charlbury, Carterton,Bampton, Burford

OX18 1JA

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)