We areseeking experienced Mental Health Worker (Occupational Therapists or SocialWorkers) to join our innovative First Contact Mental Health Service. Baseddirectly in GP practices, you will provide rapid mental health assessment andbrief interventions, helping patients at the point of need while reducingpressure on GPs.
This role mirrors the highly successful Fist Contact Physiotherapy model - see, treat, or signpost - providing accessible mental health support in familiar practice settings.
Main duties of the job
Primary Clinical Role:
* Provide rapid mental health assessments (45-minute same-day/week appointments) directly in GP surgeries
* Deliver brief interventions for common mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress (maximum 3 follow-up sessions per patient)
* See 8 patients per day using a "see, treat, or signpost" approach similar to the physiotherapy model
Key Clinical Responsibilities:
* Work autonomously to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health presentations
* Manage clinical risk and identify when GP input or onward referrals are needed
* Provide evidence-based brief psychological interventions and self-management support
* Issue sick notes when clinically appropriate
Service Delivery:
* Work flexibly across multiple PCN surgeries (Whitchurch, Wem, Drayton, Oswestry) based on demand
* Maintain clinical records in surgery systems and collect outcome data
* Integrate with surgery teams and participate in meetings
Professional Development:
* Engage in regular clinical supervision and CPD activities
* Contribute to service improvements and evaluation
* Support new staff induction and share learning across the team
The role essentially brings mental health expertise directly into primary care settings, providing immediate support to reduce pressure on GPs whilst offering patients accessible mental health care in familiar surgery environments.
About us
North Shropshire Primary Care Network (PCN) is made up of six GP practices supporting over 87,000 patients in and around North Shropshire.
We are an integrated community-based team delivering a range of additional services such as extended hours appointments, paramedic home visiting and dietitian lead clinics to name just a few. By working together, we can proactively offer more effective and efficient services that meet our patient needs.
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Delivery
First Contact Assessment
* Provide same-day/week mental health assessments (45-minute appointments)
* Work autonomously to assess, diagnose, and treat common mental health presentations
* Deliver brief interventions (maximum 3 follow-up sessions per patient)
* Make clear decisions: treat, signpost, or refer
* See 8 patients per day across practice sites
* Manage anxiety, depression, stress, and life crises
* Provide evidence-based brief psychological interventions
* Support self-management and resilience building
* Issue fit notes where clinically appropriate
Clinical Decision Making
* Identify and manage risk appropriately
* Recognize physical health red flags requiring GP input
* Make appropriate onward referrals when needed
* Provide clear signposting to community resources
* Maintain professional boundaries and scope of practice
Service Delivery
Practice Integration
* Work flexibly across PCN practices based on demand
* Participate in practice meetings as required
* Build effective relationships with practice teams
* Support reception staff with booking queries
Data & Quality
* Complete timely clinical records in practice systems (EMIS/SystmOne)
* Collect required activity and outcome data
* Participate in service evaluation
* Maintain professional registration and competencies
* Engage in clinical supervision and peer support
Service Development
* Contribute to service improvements
* Share learning across the PCN team
* Participate in CPD activities
* Promote the service within practices
Professional Qualifications
* Registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist OR Registered Social Worker
* Current professional registration (HCPC/Social Work England)
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Mental health assessment and intervention training
Experience
* Minimum 3 years post-qualification mental health experience
* Experience of autonomous clinical decision-making
* Evidence of working with common mental health conditions
* Experience of brief intervention approaches
* Understanding of primary care context (desirable)
Clinical Skills
* Comprehensive mental health assessment skills
* Risk assessment and management
* Brief psychological intervention skills
* Knowledge of local services and referral pathways
* Ability to recognize physical health concerns
Personal Qualities
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to work autonomously and manage own caseload
* Flexible and adaptable approach
* Strong team player for cross-practice working
* Resilient and able to work at pace
* Professional and approachable manner
Technical Skills
* Competent in using clinical IT systems
* Ability to learn new systems quickly
* Basic Microsoft Office skills
* Experience with outcome measures
Clinical Practice
* Delivers high-quality, evidence-based care
* Makes sound clinical decisions independently
* Manages clinical risk appropriately
* Maintains clear professional boundaries
Communication
* Builds rapport quickly with patients
* Explains complex issues simply
* Writes clear, concise clinical notes
* Collaborates effectively with practice teams
Service Delivery
* Manages time efficiently
* Adapts to different practice environments
* Responds flexibly to service demands
* Maintains high productivity standards
Professional
* Takes responsibility for own practice
* Seeks supervision appropriately
* Maintains professional standards
* Commits to continuous improvement
What We Offer
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Dedicated CPD time and budget
* Regular clinical supervision
* Supportive team environment
* Opportunity to shape innovative service
* Flexible working across practices
* Professional autonomy
Working Pattern
* Monday to Friday (core hours 8am-6pm)
* Possible Enhanced Access (6:30pm to 8pm and Weekend)
* Flexibility required to meet practice needs
* Cross-practice working on agreed rota
* Protected admin time daily
Equality and Diversity
The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The post-holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
Special Working Conditions
The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.
This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the PCN. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the PCN.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Professional Qualifications
* 1. Registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist OR Registered Social Worker
* 2. Current professional registration (HCPC/Social Work England)
* Evidence of continued professional development
* 3. Mental health assessment and intervention training
* Experience
* 1. Minimum 3 years post-qualification mental health experience
* 2. Experience of autonomous clinical decision-making
* 3. Evidence of working with common mental health conditions
* 4. Experience of brief intervention approaches
* Clinical Skills
* 1. Comprehensive mental health assessment skills
* 2. Risk assessment and management
* 3. Brief psychological intervention skills
* 4. Knowledge of local services and referral pathways
* 5. Ability to recognise physical health concerns
* Personal Qualities
* 1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* 2. Ability to work autonomously and manage own caseload
* 3. Flexible and adaptable approach
* 4. Strong team player for cross-practice working
* 5. Resilient and able to work at pace
* 6. Professional and approachable manner
* Clinical Practice
* 1. Delivers high-quality, evidence-based care
* 2. Makes sound clinical decisions independently
* 3. Manages clinical risk appropriately
* 4. Maintains clear professional boundaries
* Communication
* 1. Builds rapport quickly with patients
* 2. Explains complex issues simply
* 3. Writes clear, concise clinical notes
* 4. Collaborates effectively with practice teams
* Service Delivery
* 1. Manages time efficiently
* 2. Adapts to different practice environments
* 3. Responds flexibly to service demands
* 4. Maintains high productivity standards
* Professional
* 1. Takes responsibility for own practice
* 2. Seeks supervision appropriately
* 3. Maintains professional standards
* 4. Commits to continuous improvement
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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