Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and we’re hiring people who want to shape what comes next. Formed on 1 April 2020 through the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, we’re now focused on the future with a new Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme. What we do · Adult and older adult mental health · Children and young people’s mental health · Specialist learning disability services · Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley Why join now · We’ve got real momentum right now. New strategy, clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast. · Our values aren’t just posters. People are genuinely compassionate, take responsibility, treat you with respect and help you feel confident and empowered. · You’ll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and chances to learn with coaching and development. · There’s room to grow. Loads of services to explore and real space to try ideas and be heard. · It’s a good place to live. Friendly diverse communities, easy transport, good schools and colleges, shopping, food, lots to do, plenty of green space and a lower cost of living than many other city regions. What it’s like to work here You’ll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures, and celebrate wins. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You’ll have space to do good work, speak up, and see the difference you make. Who we are We’re 4,000 colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you’re excited about the role but don’t tick every box, please apply. We value potential and transferable experience. Job overview Are you Independent and supplementary Prescriber or willing to train? Are you a registered Mental Health Nurse? Do you have a passion for improving access to high quality, innovative and compassionate services for people with mental health needs? As a Senior First Contact Mental Health Practitioner, the post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting Primary Care Networks (PCN’s) to deliver high quality mental health support within primary care. This is a specialist role working at an advanced level and is embedded into GP practices. As well as triage and assessment the post holder will offer expertise in networking and navigation to promote the ease of access to a range of mental health support services. This role ensures that each person receives the best possible care in the right place at the right time and by the right person. Advert Undertake clinical duties within a GP practice as an autonomous Mental Health practitioner working independently, offering a comprehensive triage (including risk assessment) without the need to see a GP first. These appointments are typically 30-minutes with patients aged 16 & over and through a range of contact mechanisms such as face to face, telephone calls & home visits (where appropriate). You will diagnose (within scope of practice) and develop appropriate management plans based evidence-based practice/ NICE guidance In addition to risk assessments, you will also provide short term risk management intervention(s) when safe to do so within a primary care setting, working with patients and their significant others to develop risk management plans, which, may include safety planning and self-harm management. Identify when risk cannot be managed safely in primary care and make appropriate and timely referrals to specialist mental health services, ensuring the safety of patients is maintained and close liaison with these services. You will be required to make referrals to many different services across primary and secondary care mental health services; 3rd sector and health and social care services. Working for our organisation Black Country Healthcare is encouraging positive workplace who welcomes staff, with a desire to perform at a high level. Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country. Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, following the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (covering Wolverhampton and Sandwell) and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and a talented workforce enabling us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving. We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Why is this the place to work? Beautiful, and peaceful hospital grounds, with seating areas Good transport links around the midlands Flexible working NHS discount schemes Working together with the local community to support patients and staff Good performance outcomes Training opportunities Excellent staff support facilities, dedicated Health & wellbeing team, reflective practice, supervision, and debrief sessions Opportunities to work with other services within the trust New, up and coming digital processes and support Detailed job description and main responsibilities Undertake clinical duties within a GP practice as an autonomous Mental Health practitioner working independently, offering a comprehensive triage (including risk assessment) without the need to see a GP first. These appointments are typically 30-minutes with patients aged 16 & over and through a range of contact mechanisms such as face to face, telephone calls & home visits (where appropriate). You will diagnose (within scope of practice) and develop appropriate management plans based evidence-based practice/ NICE guidance In addition to risk assessments, you will also provide short term risk management intervention(s) when safe to do so within a primary care setting, working with patients and their significant others to develop risk management plans, which, may include safety planning and self-harm management. Identify when risk cannot be managed safely in primary care and make appropriate and timely referrals to specialist mental health services, ensuring the safety of patients is maintained and close liaison with these services. You will be required to make referrals to many different services across primary and secondary care mental health services; 3rd sector and health and social care services. Applying and timelines We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you haven’t heard by then, you haven’t been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback. Pay and contracts Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us - your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments. Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment. Standards and checks · Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don’t have it yet, we’ll support you to complete it in post. · Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won’t automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances. · We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke free Trust. Inclusion, equality and adjustments · We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working. · We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ-inclusive Trust. · We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non-visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ people. · Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process. Our culture and values Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. You’ll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.