Go back North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network
PCN Mental Health Practitioner
The closing date is 01 July 2025
North Devon Coastal Primary CareNetwork which includes Combe Coastal Practice, South Molton Medical Centre,and Caen Medical Centre are seeking a compassionate, supportive, committed and resourcefulAdult Mental Health Practitioner to join our multidisciplinary PCN team andcontribute to our expanding workforce.
The individual will be integral in working with the PCN to build a mental health service for the PCN and work across the practices to deliver a high quality, effective and support mental health provision for our patients.
We welcome applications from either Mental Health Nurses/ Nurse Practitioners or Mental Health Occupational Therapists. While a non-medical prescribing qualification is desirable, it is not essential.
Main duties of the job
This roleinvolves providing comprehensive care from initial assessment through todiagnosis, treatment, and ongoing evaluation. The practitioner will addressboth mental health and associated physical health concerns, using safe,evidence-based decision-making, including clinical assessment, diagnosticreasoning, and, where appropriate, prescribing.
Workingcollaboratively across the three member practices of North Devon Coastal PCNCombe Coastal Practice, South Molton Medical Centre, and Caen Medical Centrethe post holder will actively contribute to the wider Wellbeing Service andintegrated care approach. They will liaise closely with GPs, themultidisciplinary teams, and external providers to ensure patients receivetimely, coordinated, and person-centred care.
In addition todirect patient care, the practitioner will offer clinical advice, support, andinput into patient reviews including for those on the practices MentalHealth Registers and help to strengthen referral pathways and communicationwith secondary and community mental health services.
Ultimately, thisrole is central to the development of a proactive, integrated, and accessiblemental health service within the PCN, ensuring high-quality care for patientsand robust clinical support for the practices.
About us
North Devon Coastal PCN are dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centred healthcare across our beautiful coastal region. Our network covers around 47000 patients from three GP practices - Caen Medical Centre, Combe Coastal Practice (including Woolacombe and Combe Martin) and South Molton Medical Centre. Our aim is to work collaboratively to bring together healthcare professionals, and support teams, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local community.
Nestled in one of the UKs most picturesque areas, our PCN not only provides essential health services but also thrives on collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving care for everyone. We believe in making healthcare accessible, personalised, and responsive, ensuring that every patient feels valued and supported.
As part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team, we are committed to bringing quality, inclusivity and innovation into healthcare, enhancing communication, and streamlining services to meet the needs of our patients more effectively. From supporting local vaccination programmes to implementing health initiatives, our teams work tirelessly to ensure that our community receives the best possible care.
Job responsibilities
Clinical practice
Actas a first-contact mental health professional, providing timelyassessment, diagnosis, care planning, and evaluation of interventions forpatients with a wide range of mental health presentations including thosewith undifferentiated symptoms, complex trauma histories, long-term conditions,and comorbid mental or physical health needs.
Independentlymanage a clinical caseload,demonstrating a high level of autonomy while working collaboratively acrossorganisational, professional, and system boundaries to enhance service deliveryand drive continuous improvement in care.
Makeeffective use of limited resources and consultation time, exercising clinical judgment indetermining when onward signposting to the GP or another appropriate clinicianis required.
Conductthorough physiological and psychological assessments, including forcomplex cases, and formulate tailored care plans that are responsive toindividual patient needs.
Whereappropriately qualified, prescribe and review medication in line withevidence-based practice, current clinical guidelines, and within the scope ofprofessional practice.
Undertakespecialist assessments to evaluate functional performance and its impacton a patients mental and physical well-being.
Deliverbrief psychological interventions, where trained and appropriate, tosupport recovery and improve mental health outcomes.
Provideexpert mental health advice to colleagues within the multidisciplinaryteam, including recommendations on prescribing practices and safede-prescribing where indicated.
Facilitateshared decision-making with patients, offering clear and accessibleinformation about treatment options and supporting adherence to agreed careplans.
Involveand educate family members, carers, and support networks as appropriate,ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to care.
Respondeffectively to urgent or emergency mental health situations, using soundclinical judgment and escalation procedures where necessary.
Promoteself-care and health improvement, encouraging patients to adopt healthybehaviours and supporting engagement with community-based resources and widersocial support systems.
Supportthe delivery of annual health reviews for adults on the practicesMental Health Registers, contributing clinical insight and continuity of care.
Quality Assurance
Effectivelyprioritise, organise, and manage own workload in a way that promotes safe,high-quality patient care.
Delivercare aligned with national and local clinical priorities, including those ofDevon Partnership Trust (DPT), Primary Care, and NICE guidelines.
Activelycontribute to the development of clinical protocols and care pathways, ensuringalignment with PCN goals and best practices.
Operatewithin professional scope of practice and regulatory standards (NMC/HCPC orother relevant body), recognising personal limitations and seeking guidancewhere necessary.
Maintaincomprehensive, timely, and accurate records of all patient interactions,consistent with legal, professional, and organisational standards.
Evaluatethe effectiveness of care through self-assessment, peer review, and auditprocesses, contributing to ongoing quality improvement and governance acrossprimary care.
Workcollaboratively with other clinical teams to enhance care quality in responseto local needs and national initiatives.
Promoteand engage in shared learning across the PCN and wider healthcare system.
Participatein the structured analysis and learning from patient feedback, complaints,incidents, and near misses, using this to improve safety and service delivery.
Workwith clinical leaders to monitor team performance and support continuousprofessional development.
Helpto build the skills and confidence of the wider primary care team in supportingpatients with mental health needs.
Communication Skills and relationship building
Use compassionate and effective communication styles to ensurepatients are fully informed and empowered in decisions about their care.
Convey complex and sensitive clinical information clearly andappropriately to:
'Patients and their families/carers regarding assessment, treatment, and recovery plans
'Primary care and multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless,coordinated care
'External agencies (e.g., social services, voluntary sector,police, housing, employment) involved in patient support
'Service user and carer groups
Deliver sensitive or distressing information with empathy andprofessionalism.
Adjust communication methods to meet diverse needs, consideringcultural background, communication preferences, and cognitive or emotionalbarriers.
Maintain strong communication across primary care teams, DPT(including through MAT meetings), and PCN leadership.
Act as a visible advocate for patients and colleagues, promotingdignity, respect, and access to appropriate care and support.
Provide information in accessible formats, recognising limitationsin understanding and signposting to appropriate support.
Communicate effectively with commissioning bodies and seniorstakeholders, including PCN Leadership and DPT representatives.
Uphold professional boundaries at all times.
Attend and contribute to clinical meetings focused on patientprogress and recovery planning.
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need foralternative methods of communication to overcome different levels ofunderstanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
Maintaineffective communication with all members in the primary care team, DPT(particularly the MAT meetings) and the PCN management team.
Act as an advocatefor patients and colleagues.
Ensureawareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in anacceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referringwhere appropriate.
Maintaineffective communication with those responsible for the overall commissioningand procurement process e.g DPT and PCN Leadership
To maintainprofessional boundaries at all times withpatients.
Toattend clinical meetings to discuss progress and recovery plans for patients.
Analytical and Judgement
Proactivelyidentify and manage clinical risk within your area of responsibility, ensuringsafe and responsive care.
Maintainsafe working environments by monitoring compliance with health, safety, andinfection prevention policies.
Promotepolicies and practices that reduce environmental and health inequalities,enhance accessibility, and are culturally sensitive.
Demonstratesound clinical reasoning and judgement in everyday practice.
Applyactivity analysis when planning and delivering patient interventions to ensuremaximum therapeutic benefit.
Useinitiative and problem-solving in complex clinical situations.
Conductspecialised assessments focused on patients functional performance and itsimpact on mental well-being.
Analysecomplex clinical information to design person-centred treatment plans, consideringmultiple options and patient preferences.
Continuouslyreview and adjust care plans in response to clinical changes or emerging risks.
Proactivelyidentify and manage clinical risk within your area of responsibility, ensuringsafe and responsive care.
Maintainsafe working environments by monitoring compliance with health, safety, andinfection prevention policies.
Promotepolicies and practices that reduce environmental and health inequalities,enhance accessibility, and are culturally sensitive.
Demonstratesound clinical reasoning and judgement in everyday practice.
Applyactivity analysis when planning and delivering patient interventions to ensuremaximum therapeutic benefit.
Useinitiative and problem-solving in complex clinical situations.
Conductspecialised assessments focused on patients functional performance and itsimpact on mental well-being.
Analysecomplex clinical information to design person-centred treatment plans,considering multiple options and patient preferences.
Continuouslyreview and adjust care plans in response to clinical changes or emerging risks.
Planning & Organisation
Understand and take ownership of your evolving rolewithin the team and wider PCN.
Collaborate effectively with colleagues to deliverinnovative, patient-centred services.
Delegate tasks responsibly, with regard to competence,safety, and best practice.
Establish clear referral pathways to ensure patientsreceive the right care at the right time.
Prioritise tasks and manage time effectively tosupport high-quality, responsive care.
Engage in collaborative service planning, helping toshape direction, values, and policies that affect clinical care.
Take the lead on specific service initiatives orprojects as agreed with management, utilising Quality Improvement (QI) methods.
Agree measurable outcomes and benchmarks for success.
Organise and facilitate complex professional orrisk-focused meetings as needed.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of managing a complex caseload with a range of mental health conditions.
* Experience of working within a community setting and without supervision.
* Experience of clinically supervising staff and mentoring students
* Experience of using Primary Care IT systems such as TPP SystmOne/ Emis
Knowledge
* An excellent understanding of the NSF, 5 year forward review for mental health and Mental Health Act/ Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
* Extensive understanding of CPA Process and service thresholds
* Awareness of community structures and social care options and processes.
* Understanding of Community Mental Health Service Framework transformation
* Awareness of challenges, legal frameworks, in delivering mental health within primary care.
* Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.
* Understanding of development of the Community Mental Health Service Framework.
* Detailed understanding of trauma informed care
* Knowledge of Primary Care Networks and GP Surgeries
Qualifications
* Qualified Nurse or Occupational Therapist, on the appropriate professional body register and hold current registration with no restrictions.
* Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
* Training to level 3 in Safeguarding Adults and Children & young people
* Post basic qualification in speciality Application Non-Medical Prescriber (V300).
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
* Reporting analysis to a range of stakeholders in a manner that is clear and easily understood.
* Able to own problems and get involved in the solutions.
* Ability to manage risk.
* Ability to assess and interpret specialist acute and other patient conditions.
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.
North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network
£37,050 to £50,700 a yeardependent on experience
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