PCN Mental Health Practitioner
| Posting date: | 03 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £37,050 to £50,700 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £37050 - £50700 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 August 2025 |
| Location: | Braunton, EX33 1LR |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | A4856-25-0001 |
Summary
Clinical practice Act as a first-contact mental health professional, providing timely assessment, diagnosis, care planning, and evaluation of interventions for patients with a wide range of mental health presentations including those with undifferentiated symptoms, complex trauma histories, long-term conditions, and comorbid mental or physical health needs. Independently manage a clinical caseload, demonstrating a high level of autonomy while working collaboratively across organisational, professional, and system boundaries to enhance service delivery and drive continuous improvement in care. Make effective use of limited resources and consultation time, exercising clinical judgment in determining when onward signposting to the GP or another appropriate clinician is required. Conduct thorough physiological and psychological assessments, including for complex cases, and formulate tailored care plans that are responsive to individual patient needs. Where appropriately qualified, prescribe and review medication in line with evidence-based practice, current clinical guidelines, and within the scope of professional practice. Undertake specialist assessments to evaluate functional performance and its impact on a patients mental and physical well-being. Deliver brief psychological interventions, where trained and appropriate, to support recovery and improve mental health outcomes. Provide expert mental health advice to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team, including recommendations on prescribing practices and safe de-prescribing where indicated. Facilitate shared decision-making with patients, offering clear and accessible information about treatment options and supporting adherence to agreed care plans. Involve and educate family members, carers, and support networks as appropriate, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to care. Respond effectively to urgent or emergency mental health situations, using sound clinical judgment and escalation procedures where necessary. Promote self-care and health improvement, encouraging patients to adopt healthy behaviours and supporting engagement with community-based resources and wider social support systems. Support the delivery of annual health reviews for adults on the practices Mental Health Registers, contributing clinical insight and continuity of care. Quality Assurance Effectively prioritise, organise, and manage own workload in a way that promotes safe, high-quality patient care. Deliver care aligned with national and local clinical priorities, including those of Devon Partnership Trust (DPT), Primary Care, and NICE guidelines. Actively contribute to the development of clinical protocols and care pathways, ensuring alignment with PCN goals and best practices. Operate within professional scope of practice and regulatory standards (NMC/HCPC or other relevant body), recognising personal limitations and seeking guidance where necessary. Maintain comprehensive, timely, and accurate records of all patient interactions, consistent with legal, professional, and organisational standards. Evaluate the effectiveness of care through self-assessment, peer review, and audit processes, contributing to ongoing quality improvement and governance across primary care. Work collaboratively with other clinical teams to enhance care quality in response to local needs and national initiatives. Promote and engage in shared learning across the PCN and wider healthcare system. Participate in the structured analysis and learning from patient feedback, complaints, incidents, and near misses, using this to improve safety and service delivery. Work with clinical leaders to monitor team performance and support continuous professional development. Help to build the skills and confidence of the wider primary care team in supporting patients with mental health needs. Communication Skills and relationship building Use compassionate and effective communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and empowered in decisions about their care. Convey complex and sensitive clinical information clearly and appropriately 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 and professionalism. Adjust communication methods to meet diverse needs, considering cultural background, communication preferences, and cognitive or emotional barriers. Maintain strong communication across primary care teams, DPT (including through MAT meetings), and PCN leadership. Act as a visible advocate for patients and colleagues, promoting dignity, respect, and access to appropriate care and support. Provide information in accessible formats, recognising limitations in understanding and signposting to appropriate support. Communicate effectively with commissioning bodies and senior stakeholders, including PCN Leadership and DPT representatives. Uphold professional boundaries at all times. Attend and contribute to clinical meetings focused on patient progress and recovery planning. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating. Maintain effective communication with all members in the primary care team, DPT (particularly the MAT meetings) and the PCN management team. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues. Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate. Maintain effective communication with those responsible for the overall commissioning and procurement process e.g DPT and PCN Leadership To maintain professional boundaries at all times with patients. To attend clinical meetings to discuss progress and recovery plans for patients. Analytical and Judgement Proactively identify and manage clinical risk within your area of responsibility, ensuring safe and responsive care. Maintain safe working environments by monitoring compliance with health, safety, and infection prevention policies. Promote policies and practices that reduce environmental and health inequalities, enhance accessibility, and are culturally sensitive. Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and judgement in everyday practice. Apply activity analysis when planning and delivering patient interventions to ensure maximum therapeutic benefit. Use initiative and problem-solving in complex clinical situations. Conduct specialised assessments focused on patients functional performance and its impact on mental well-being. Analyse complex clinical information to design person-centred treatment plans, considering multiple options and patient preferences. Continuously review and adjust care plans in response to clinical changes or emerging risks. Proactively identify and manage clinical risk within your area of responsibility, ensuring safe and responsive care. Maintain safe working environments by monitoring compliance with health, safety, and infection prevention policies. Promote policies and practices that reduce environmental and health inequalities, enhance accessibility, and are culturally sensitive. Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and judgement in everyday practice. Apply activity analysis when planning and delivering patient interventions to ensure maximum therapeutic benefit. Use initiative and problem-solving in complex clinical situations. Conduct specialised assessments focused on patients functional performance and its impact on mental well-being. Analyse complex clinical information to design person-centred treatment plans, considering multiple options and patient preferences. Continuously review and adjust care plans in response to clinical changes or emerging risks. Planning & Organisation Understand and take ownership of your evolving role within the team and wider PCN. Collaborate effectively with colleagues to deliver innovative, patient-centred services. Delegate tasks responsibly, with regard to competence, safety, and best practice. Establish clear referral pathways to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time. Prioritise tasks and manage time effectively to support high-quality, responsive care. Engage in collaborative service planning, helping to shape direction, values, and policies that affect clinical care. Take the lead on specific service initiatives or projects as agreed with management, utilising Quality Improvement (QI) methods. Agree measurable outcomes and benchmarks for success. Organise and facilitate complex professional or risk-focused meetings as needed.