Overview
This is a permanent position in the Maldon/Braintree area for a Primary Care Mental Health service in Essex. The post is based in General Practice, working with established Primary Care teams to triage, assess, manage and follow up patients, and provide brief interventions to those registered with GPs in the area. The practitioner will work autonomously, provide evidence-based psychological and non-psychological treatments for common mental health disorders following assessments, and act as a gate keeper for referrals to secondary services.
Responsibilities
* Triage and assess patients and facilitate access to the most appropriate support, ensuring patients are not passed around the system.
* Work with Primary Care colleagues and Consultant Psychiatrists to provide support, specialist advice, consultation, education, and problem solving for the assessment and management of service users with common mental health disorders.
* Act as a signpost for internal and external services and help develop integrated care pathways.
* Lead with Primary Care team development, ensuring safe clinical practice and governance, and align with Care Quality Commission standards and NHS Constitution.
* Undertake physical health investigations (e.g., ECGs) and offer basic interpretation; non-medical prescriber is preferred.
* Utilise the Systmone patient documentation system and create cohesive pathways within the scope of responsibility.
* Provide educational support and training to enhance team knowledge of mental health and wellbeing; contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings and safeguarding processes.
* Manage medications in line with Trust policy (where applicable), including patient education on medications and adherence, and support for physical healthcare understanding.
* Develop and implement individualised, evidence-based care plans aligned with NICE guidance, including non-medication strategies.
* Collaborate with statutory and non-statutory agencies to deliver integrated care and contribute to operational/clinical policy development.
* Deliver training for professionals, complete timely statistics, and monitor outcomes/KPIs; identify service improvements with the MDT and management.
* Ensure safeguarding, incident reporting, and risk management as part of clinical responsibilities.
Qualifications and experience
* Experience in a Primary Care Mental Health setting as a qualified Mental Health Nurse (preferred).
* Ability to work under pressure, exercise robust clinical judgement, and work autonomously with appropriate responsibility.
* Mentorship/supervision experience of students; ability to develop innovative practice for handling referrals, KPI monitoring, and clinical caseload management.
* UK driving licence required to travel to Primary Care network bases in Braintree/Maldon and trust sites (remote areas with limited public transport).
* Knowledge of SystemOne and ability to engage with primary care and MDTs.
Benefits and other information
* Season ticket loans, NHS discounts for staff, and extensive training opportunities.
* Flexible working options and the ability to apply for flexible arrangements from day one.
* Staff bank availability for flexible shifts; all permanent staff are enrolled on the staff bank.
* Equity statements: Equal Opportunities employer; commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare; Vaccination requirements in line with regulations.
Note: This job description includes a broad set of duties and is not exhaustive. You may be required to perform other clinically relevant tasks and to participate in service development as part of the role. Applicants should provide professional references covering the last three years of employment. DBS checks are required and the cost may be deducted from the first salary. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from people with experience of using mental health services and from people with disabilities.
The Trust may expire vacancies prior to closing dates, and applicants are advised to monitor communications. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and all staff undergo safeguarding procedures. Pre-employment checks include COVID vaccination where required by regulations.
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