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 The role is part of the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme to embed Mental Health practitioners in Primary Care Networks. Successful applicants will be recruited, line managed and receive CPD & Supervision by the Black County Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust but will be embedded and work in GP surgeries within the Primary Care Network. The purpose of the role is to bridge the gap between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health services by delivering high quality Mental Health care in Primary Care settings. This will allow the population of the Black Country to receive Mental Health care in GP settings and support individuals to access a range of interventions outside of traditional secondary care services. Advert The post is suitable for practitioners from multiple professions (e.g. Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology) To deliver a range of interventions in a Primary Care setting including triage, assessment, signposting and brief interventions as well as supporting access to secondary care if required. Be an integral part of the general practice team and provide mental health assessment and care planning for patients within the designated PCN to meet the patient’s needs. Undertake clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, offering short term mental health interventions and seeking medical support when appropriate. Provide support and advice to GP’s and other practice staff in managing the mental health of the population. Support interface between multiple services and organisations across Primary Care, Secondary Care and Third Sector providers to facilitate the movement of patients between primary and secondary services and offer a choice of intervention to best meet individual needs. Take part in the Primary Care Network Integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team including reviews and meetings. Support the ongoing needs of individuals that no longer meet the requirements for Secondary care but still have a mental health need. Working for our organisation Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country. Across the whole of the region we provide: Adult and older adult mental health services Specialist learning disability services CAMHS Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, after NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving. Detailed job description and main responsibilities To work as First Contact Practitioner within GP practices, being the first point of contact for patients presenting with mental health problems. • To complete an initial assessment of patient’s mental health needs and identify the most appropriate pathway/ treatment plan, making referrals or sign posting to the most relevant service for further intervention • To complete thorough risk assessments and work with patients to develop risk management plans and where appropriate refer to specialist services, ensuring the safety of patients is maintained • Using expert knowledge, make brief interventions and follow up patients that do not require talking therapies or secondary care mental health services, or patients who may require additional support to access and engage with these services • Support patients with health promotion and self-management of their mental well being • Understand the social factors which are relevant to mental health problems and to be aware of and respectful of the cultures, customs, values and spiritual/ religious practices and beliefs of all patients. • Establish and maintain relationships with patients and their significant others, communicating effectively and recognising the need for varying methods of communication • Be sensitive to information disclosed by patients and their significant others and maintain confidentiality • Respond appropriately, safely and compassionately to patients presenting in high levels of distress • Recognise the signs of abuse/ safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action, being aware of statutory and local procedures • Have a good knowledge of mental health services in primary, secondary care and the voluntary sector and understand how to refer and navigate patients around these 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.