Were looking for an experienced and compassionate clinician to play a key role in supporting people with common mental health problems within our primary care setting. Youll work autonomously and as part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team providing assessments, brief interventions, and expert advice to patients and colleagues alike. This is an exciting opportunity to shape mental health care at the heart of our community, with strong support for professional growth and collaborative working. If youre motivated to make a real difference and value partnership-based, patient-centred care, wed love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As a Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner, youll be the first point of contact for patients experiencing common mental health difficulties, offering timely support and guidance within a primary care setting. Youll carry out initial assessments, provide brief interventions, and help individuals access the right care whether thats self-management strategies, social prescribing, or referral to specialist services.
Working closely with GPs, nurses, and the wider multi-disciplinary team, youll contribute to holistic patient care, supporting colleagues with advice and education around mental health issues. Youll play an active role in practice meetings, helping to identify population needs and shape how mental health support is delivered locally.
This is a varied and rewarding role that blends clinical expertise, collaboration, and autonomy. Youll have opportunities to develop your practice, engage in service improvement, and make a real difference to how people experience mental health support in their community.
About us
WellBN is committed to transforming healthcare by placing community and creativity at our core. Following the merger of two organisations, we operate across three sites: Brunswick and Burwash in Hove and Benfield in Portslade, serving around 24,500 patients. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality care with a focus on underserved populations, from hormone clinics to community outreach programs. Our goal is to positively impact our patients health and wellbeing.
Job responsibilities
As a Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner, you will work autonomously within the GP practice environment to provide high-quality, person-centred support for individuals experiencing common mental health problems. You will conduct assessments, offer brief interventions, provide advice and education to practice teams, and help people access the most appropriate care for their needs.
You will work closely with GPs, nurses, social prescribers, and other professionals to promote early intervention and improve mental health outcomes for our local population. The role also involves contributing to clinical governance, supporting continuous service improvement, and sharing expertise to strengthen the mental health skills of the wider primary care workforce.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Practice
Undertake timely, person-centred mental health assessments and risk assessments for individuals presenting with mental health concerns.
Provide brief therapeutic interventions and evidence-based support within the primary care setting.
Facilitate access to appropriate services, including primary, secondary, and voluntary sector organisations, ensuring smooth referral and follow-up.
Work collaboratively with service users to identify strategies that promote recovery, self-management, and wellbeing.
Support delivery of the stepped care model and local clinical pathways for people with mental health conditions.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical records and data in line with professional and organisational standards.
Work within the scope of professional registration, ensuring safe and effective practice at all times.
Work as an integral member of the GP practice and Primary Care Network, attending multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions.
Provide expert advice, consultation, and support to GPs, nurses, and other practice staff on mental health issues.
Promote understanding of mental health within primary care and encourage a holistic approach to patient wellbeing.
Develop and sustain effective working relationships across primary, secondary, and community care settings.
Education and Development
Support the identification and delivery of mental health training needs within the primary care team.
Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, and continuing professional development activities.
Keep up to date with research, national guidance, and best practice to inform service delivery and professional practice.
Contribute to research and audit projects that support service improvement and innovation.
Leadership and Governance
Actively participate in quality assurance, audit, and clinical governance processes.
Ensure compliance with policies on confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection, and health and safety.
Demonstrate leadership in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Model a culture of compassion, professionalism, and continuous learning within the primary care team.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Mental Health Qualification (RMN)/Occupational Therapist/Social Worker
* Evidence of Postgraduate qualification or working towards one
* Recognised Mental Health Training qualification eg. a Degree in Psychology
Experience
* Experience in assessing Mental Health conditions in a Primary Care setting
* Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development activity to maintain up-to-date knowledge and on-going competence in all aspects of Mental Health care
* Understanding of patient management in Primary Care
* Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team
* Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of their own clinical practice
* Experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team in Primary care setting
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.
Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working
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