ARRS Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for Primary Care

NHS; Reading; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Reading is seeking a qualified Mental Health Practitioner to join on a fixed term basis. This part-time role involves supporting GPs with mental health assessments and providing specialized advice. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in community mental health services. The position offers flexible working hours and a range of benefits, including a generous annual leave package and contribution to the NHS pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days' annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post registration experience in mental health.
• Community experience with adults and older adults with mental illness.
• Experience in providing evidence-based interventions.

Responsibilities

• Support the PCN in triaging mental health concerns.
• Review patients and provide specialist advice.
• Develop and implement mental health training.

Skills

Advanced interpersonal skills

High level of IT skills

Ability to manage change

Experience in multi-agency working

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse

Post registration training

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Mental Health Practitioner (RMN, Social Worker, OT) to join us on a fixed term basis in a Specialist Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner role 3 days per week, based within the Caversham PCN (Reading), supporting GPs with annual SMI reviews and on the day Mental Health support for patients. The successful candidate will have sufficient experience to support the GPs in medication decision making through their comprehensive assessment and documentation skills. They will also be required to undertake Fit Note training.

If you are proactive and passionate about innovation and providing a high-quality holistic approach to the care of people who have been identified as in need of mental health support in a primary care setting, we want to hear from you. We are excited to be developing these community services and look forward to applicants specifically interested in working within the Caversham Primary Care Network.

Service operates Monday to Friday. Hours worked will match the GP surgeries you are assigned to and will be worked within 8am-8pm. Typical shifts are 9am - 5pm, 8am - 4pm, 10am-6pm (subject to negotiation). You may be asked to do a combination of these shifts each week depending on the GP surgery hours. You will usually be assigned to 2-3 surgeries within your PCN.

Responsibilities

• To provide a lead in supporting the PCN in triaging mental health concerns raised by on the day patient requests, providing specialist advice and support within GP surgeries.
• To review patients presenting with mental health issues, consider a range of support and treatment interventions, providing them with highly specialised advice and signposting when appropriate and liaising with GPs and MH teams.
• To offer brief interventions as needed e.g. problem solving, decision making, building resilience, building on personal strengths, risk de-escalation, medication advice and prescribing if a registered NMP.
• Working as a member of the primary Care MDT and taking responsibility for the development and implementation of specialist mental health training to the PCN.
• To provide a navigation role to help GPs make appropriate referrals to the relevant community and secondary care services - bridging the gap between primary care services such as IAPT and secondary care, working in partnership across the system.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we are committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we are committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Benefits

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted: 04 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 371-MHS842

Job locations: Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) West, Emmer Green Surgery, Reading, RG4 8RA

Interview will be held on 18th Sept 2025

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse
• Evidence of relevant post registration training and development (such as motivational interviewing, brief solution focussed interventions, cognitive and behavioural approaches and psychosocial intervention)

Desirable

• Independent and supplementary Prescriber
• Fit Note training
• Recognised Post Graduate clinical or leadership qualification relevant to the role
• Mentor and mentorship training

Continuous Professional Development Essential

• Advanced understanding of the mental health needs of adults.

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge of person-centred care and its application.
• Able to demonstrate advanced understanding of health inequalities amongst marginalised groups
• Specialist knowledge of psycho-social interventions and their appropriate use.
• Working knowledge of appropriate assessment tools.
• Working knowledge of the policies and guidelines pertinent to the planning and delivery of community MH care to adults with mental health needs.
• Recovery focused practitioner able to apply recovery principles to adults and older people, understanding of 'strengths- based' approaches
• Clear understanding of psychotropic medication and the monitoring of effects and side effects.
• Knowledge of practical application and use psychological therapies
• Awareness of the impact of the health economies on service planning and delivery.
• Specialist knowledge relating to MH needs of young adults age 18-25 and to the needs of those diagnosed with, or with presenting traits of, personality disorder

Previous Experience Essential

• 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
• Experience of providing a range of evidence based interventions to people with a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illness
• Considerable experience in the assessment and management of clinical risk
• Experience of effective collaborative working in partnership to deliver holistic health and social care outcomes
• Evidence of Interdisciplinary / multi-agency working experience including primary care and community/ voluntary sector
• Experience of leadership and development of junior colleagues

Desirable

• Experience in physical health assessment for people with mental health needs
• Proficient in clinical audits and research
• Experience of working in primary and secondary mental health services
• Experience in the planning and delivery of training and practice developments to staff
• Experience in service evaluation and improvements
• Experience working in a CAMHS and/or OPMH service

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential

• Possesses high level of IT skills including word, outlook, excel and power point
• Ability to prioritise workload effectively, meeting expected deadlines
• Advanced interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate and work with a wide range of professionals across traditional service interfaces
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to manage change and deal with conflict / stressful situations

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality care and service provision
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills
• Effective negotiation skills
• Ability to produce and present clear reports

Additional Requirements Essential

• Recognise peoples' right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respect
• Willingness to be flexible in approach and attitude
• Ability to foster good interagency working
• Ability to represent the team / service / Trust in a professional manner
• Ability to travel independently

Desirable

• Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working
• Ability to work flexibly, outside normal working patterns if needed

Other

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 DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address: Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) West, Emmer Green Surgery, Reading, RG4 8RA

Employer's website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/