Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) to join theWigan North PCN Primary Care Network (PCN). This role is open to Registered Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. The post will operate from GP surgeries in the Wigan Borough.
The Senior MHP will interface with/access support from Wigan mental health system, Primary Care services, Neighbourhood Teams, Social Care teams and VCSE organisations to strengthen the care/support being offered. The Senior MHP will be a conduit between Primary Care, Secondary Care and other agencies ensuring introductions and smooth seamless journeys for people who use the service.
Main duties of the job
Senior Mental Health Practitioners conduct biopsychosocial assessments & Initial Conversations with people presenting with mental health difficulties, social care needs & risk issues at a primary care level. The aim is to promote recovery & help people maintain their lives within their community environment.
The post holder will also:
Offer advice and guidance to service users, the primary care team, secondary care teams and broader community services.
Support and advocate the needs of people they are working with, particularly in relation to access of services.
Work closely with GPs and primary care teams to develop a responsive and effective mental health offer in the Primary Care Network.
Assess, create safety plans and respond to presenting risk appropriately, in line with professional training, Trust policy and NICE guidance.
Provide appropriate clinical leadership within the PCN.
Key Requirements of the Person Specification: Applicants must possess RMN / RNMH / Social Worker / OT or equivalent.
Completion of Preparation for Mentorship / Practice Teacher/, is desirable together with relevant and significant post-registration qualifications and experience.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for full outline of roles and responsibilities. Please ensure you meet all the essential criteria of the 'Person Specification' as your application will be shortlisted against this.
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancements
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
7. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
8. •A Qualified and registered Nurse/RMN/AHP/Social Worker/Occupational Therapist.
9. •Experience of working in mental health inpatient or community services
Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. •Evidence an in depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based health care
11. •Assess and risk assess patients and plan onward care
12. •Understand the nature of working in a Primary Care Setting
13. •Effective communication with service users, carers and members of multi-disciplinary teams and key stakeholders
Mandatory
Essential criteria
14. •Understand the need to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
15. •Carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Equal Opportunities, equality diversity and dignity in care and work policies and principles.
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.