Senior Mental Health Practitioner, with Special Interest in Drugs and Alcohol
The post holder will be joining a well-established team working with adults over 18 years old who are referred from the Emergency Department or the wards at Wexham Park Hospital. The work can be dynamic and complex and there are many opportunities to develop strong working relationships with our key stakeholders at Wexham Park Hospital and across mental health services. The East Berkshire Psychological Medicine Service is part of the Berkshire urgent care pathway, and we are keen to develop staff to ensure the service comprises highly skilled and competent professionals.
The team supports patients presenting with a wide range of mental health issues as well as co‑occurring drug and alcohol problems. This is a new role, and the post holder will be integral in supporting the team’s development and understanding of co‑occurring mental health and drug and alcohol problems for those patients who are referred. In addition, you will build relationships with community drug and alcohol services and support training within the acute hospital.
The team is multidisciplinary, and the decision‑making process can be complex. The post holder will carry out psychosocial assessments of patients who are referred as well as liaison work with the wards for patients admitted with medical issues but also present with mental health problems.
You will work alongside both the working age team and the older adult team within the East Berkshire Psychological Medicine Service.
The post is suited to someone who can work in a fast and dynamic environment and is able to work autonomously while remaining calm. Good communication skills are key as there is significant liaison with colleagues in the acute hospital.
Working hours are Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.
Respond to referrals made by the Emergency Department and the wards at Wexham Park Hospital and carry out psychosocial assessment of the patient and formulate a safe discharge plan. You will have a special interest in the group of patients who have co‑occurring mental health and drug and alcohol problems and liaise with other agencies, adopting a multi‑disciplinary approach to ensure a safe care plan is formulated.
The post holder will act as the link between the Trust Drug and Alcohol Specialist, the community drug and alcohol teams and the acute hospital specialist and will provide training onto the acute hospital and within the team.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our Values
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Benefits
* Flexible working options to support work‑life balance
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
* Generous NHS pension scheme
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
Secondment Notice
FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY – If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.
Must Haves
* RMN or equivalent Professional Qualification
* Broad experience gained over a minimum of two years, acquired by caring for adults with mental health needs in a range of community/inpatient settings
* Minimum 2 years as Band 6 grade mental health services
* Evidence of on‑going professional development
How to Apply
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point‑by‑point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Sue Barclay on 07890 606956, or email: Suzanne.barclay@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Saturday 13 Dec 2025
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