Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for Primary Care

at  Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Mental Health Practitioner to join our Mental Health Integrated Community Service team in West Berkshire to work with the PCNs.
The post requires the candidate to have excellent communication and advanced clinical skills, who can work independently, as well as working alongside the multidisciplinary team, mental health, community and social care services, patients and their carers.
A particular understanding of mental health is also essential for this role. There are fabulous opportunities within this role to develop both personally and professionally, we are looking for a candidate who is passionate about providing high quality services.
This new role of Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for Primary Care is fundamental to the development and leadership of innovative new teams and integrated mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (PCNs). The role promotes and provides early assessment, treatment and improved access to evidence-based interventions for people with SMI. The role will help people to focus on achievable goals and access local community resources. The service will be for people over 18 years old (including carers) with a specific focus on:
those with mental health needs that exceed the access criteria for IAPT and do not meet the access criteria for secondary care
people with serious or significant mental illness (SMI) who are in recovery and relatively stable in secondary care mental health services who could be cared for within primary care
people with SMI who are eligible for an annual health check and medication review and improved access to physical health interventions
younger adults with SMI (18-25years) particularly those transitioning between children’s and adult services
those diagnosed with, or presenting with traits of, personality disorder who will benefit from enhanced support across primary care through the MHICS team
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or equivalent.
Evidence of relevant post registration training and development in particular motivational interviewing, brief solution focussed interventions, cognitive and behavioural approaches and psychosocial intervention
Minimum 5 years post registration experience in working with people with mental health needs.
Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe / significant mental illness
If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, join us and let’s be outstanding together.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact Rachel Bellenger on 0118 904 4770 or Email: Rachel.bellenger@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required