Senior mental health practitioner

Job overview

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is excited to advertise a Senior Mental Health Practitioner role, working in the Oldham neighbourhood mental health service. The introduction of these roles supports the wider transformation of community mental health services for adults and older adults, which seeks to bridge the gap between primary and secondary mental health services, and physical health services.

The Senior Mental Health Practitioner role promotes and provides early assessment, treatment and improved access, providing evidence-based interventions for people with mental health needs. The role will help people to focus on achievable goals, access local community resources and promote self-management.

* Those with mental health needs that exceed the access criteria for Talking Therapies and do not meet the access criteria for specialist mental health care
* People with serious or significant mental illness (SMI) who are in recovery and relatively stable in specialist mental health services who could be stepped-down to be cared for within the neighbourhood service
* People with SMI who are eligible for an annual health check and medication review and improved access to physical health interventions


Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

* Be a key player within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team's MDT
* Provide mental health triage, assessment, formulation and clinical interventions based on NICE guidance within the locality
* Ensure seamless access to the most appropriate care pathway and onward access to mental health services
* Directly support GPs and team colleagues with the management of more complex mental health presentations and linking with specialist mental health services where clinically appropriate
* Assessing clinical risk and providing short term interventions, linking in to mental health support networks and promote self-management
* Provide a link role between neighbourhood primary care services and specialist mental health services for complex cases and issues
* Identify training and education needs for the neighbourhood team in relation to mental health practice, and support the development of mental health training as required

Work collaboratively with our partners including TOGS Mind.


Working for our organisation

If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

1. Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
2. Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
3. Access to Continued Professional Development
4. Involvement in improvement and research activities
5. Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
6. Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
7. Access to Blue Light discount scheme

If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople


Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

We welcome applications from mental health nurses, social workers and Occupational Therapists, possessing extensive experience, skills and expertise in mental health care. You must have appropriate professional registration in order to apply for this role.


Person specification


Qualifications


Essential criteria

* Registered Nurse - Mental Health (RMN), Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, with current registration
* Post graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience


Desirable criteria

* Non-medical Prescribing


Experience


Essential criteria

* Substantial post registration experience of working with people with serious mental illness
* Proven experience of working with clients with complex needs
* Experience of leading multidisciplinary working in mental health care with complex cases
* Experience of working to objectives and meeting deadlines, within a performance management framework
* Experience of providing day to day clinical leadership and operational management
* Experience of supervising junior staff
* Experience of managing budgets or resources


Desirable criteria

* Experience of working in community settings


Knowledge


Essential criteria

* Working knowledge of current mental health legislation and guidance
* Safeguarding thresholds and procedures
* Understand the nature of working in a primary care setting
* Working knowledge of NICE guidance in the treatment of common mental health problems
* Knowledge of mental health /risk management processes
* Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues
* Comprehensive understanding of deliberate self-harm and appropriate management strategies
* Display a good understanding of clinical governance and quality improvement
* Be competent in developing and delivering training packages relating to mental health
* Overview and knowledge of the range of interventions and services that meet the needs of all service users referred to the service
* Ability to plan, manage, monitor, advise and review interventions

📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.

We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.

🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the

📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email

🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:

* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -

The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

📣 Additional Information -

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.

Please note:

* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.