Band 5/6 Development Specialist Mental Health Practitioner - Devizes

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; Devizes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is offering a Band 5 developmental opportunity for a motivated practitioner. You will work within an experienced team, receiving enhanced supervision and a structured development journey toward greater autonomy and Band 6 responsibilities.

The role focuses on screening, triage, and assessment of referrals, with clear pathways and strong clinical decision-making. Excellent problem-solving and a commitment to high‑quality care are essential.

Qualifications

• Recently qualified or developing from Band 5 towards Band 6
• Engaged, problem-solving focused, and keen to build autonomy and clinical reasoning
• Supported by supervision, mentorship, and structured development path

Responsibilities

• Support the screening, triage, and assessment of referrals within clinical frameworks
• Assess and prioritise referrals based on risk, acuity, and complexity with appropriate supervision
• Identify care pathways and referrals, including onward referrals and signposting, per local/national guidance
• Articulate clinical decision-making and rationale in documentation
• Undertake initial assessments and synthesize clinical, psychosocial, and risk information for care planning
• Collaborate with the MDT on risk management, formulation, and care coordination
• Utilise supervision and reflective practice to develop autonomous Band 6 level skills
• Develop confidence in managing clinical uncertainty in a fast-paced setting
• Contribute to safe patient flow and timely decision-making within the service
• Maintain accurate records in line with Trust policy and professional standards

Skills

Motivated & enthusiastic

Strong problem solving

Clinical decision making

Job description

Job overview

Following a very successful first recruitment, we are now offering another Band 5 developmental opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic practitioner who is either recently qualified or looking to develop from a Band 5 role towards a more autonomous Band 6 level of practice.

This post is ideal for someone who is highly engaged in their work, demonstrates strong problem‑solving skills, and is keen to build confidence, autonomy, and clinical decision‑making. The successful candidate will be motivated to develop their clinical reasoning and rationale, and to take on the additional responsibilities associated with a more senior role, with robust support in place.

You will be embedded within an experienced and supportive team of Band 6 practitioners, working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team. Although you will largely undertake the duties of a Band 6 practitioner, this will be with enhanced supervision, mentorship, and structured support to ensure safe practice and ongoing development. A named supervisor will guide you through a clear developmental journey, helping you to consolidate skills, grow confidence, and progress towards greater independence.

This is a fast‑paced and rewarding development role, offering significant opportunities for learning and progression. For the right person, it represents a genuine chance for rapid professional growth within a well‑established, collaborative service that values curiosity, reflection, and high‑quality clinical care.

Main duties of the job

Support the screening, triage, and assessment of referrals, working within agreed clinical and operational frameworks.

Demonstrate the ability to assess, and prioritise referrals based on clinical risk, acuity, complexity, and identified need, with appropriate supervision.

Identify and recommend appropriate care pathways and disposition routes, including onward referrals, signposting, and service allocation, in line with local and national guidance.

Clearly articulate clinical decision‑making and rationale for triage outcomes and pathway recommendations, both verbally and through high‑quality clinical documentation.

Undertake initial assessments, synthesising relevant clinical, psychosocial, and risk information to inform care planning.

Work collaboratively with the MDT, contributing to discussions around risk management, formulation, and care coordination.

Proactively utilise clinical supervision, reflective practice, and feedback to support the development of autonomous Band 6‑level skills, including complex decision‑making.

Develop confidence in managing clinical uncertainty, problem‑solving, and prioritisation in a fast‑paced environment, escalating appropriately when required.

Contribute to maintaining safe and effective flow through the service, recognising pressures and balancing risk with responsiveness.

Maintain accurate, timely, and professional records, ensuring decisions and rationales are clearly documented in line with Trust policy and professional standards.