First Contact Mental Health Practitioner

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Thirsk; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner to offer specialist mental health advice and care within primary care. The role involves collaborating with GP practices, conducting assessments, and facilitating safe transitions to services. Applicants should be registered mental health professionals with strong communication and leadership skills. Flexible working conditions apply, including travel between GP practices, ensuring quality support for patients in various settings.

Benefits

Flexible working conditions

Sponsorship for Health and Care Worker visa

Qualifications

• Registered mental health professionals: NMC Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers (England), HCPC Occupational Therapists.
• Good understanding of primary care is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist mental health advice and clinical care for patients.
• Conduct triage, assessments, brief interventions and reviews.
• Facilitate safe transitions between mental health services and Primary Care.
• Offer psycho-social interventions in various settings.
• Collaborate with GP practices and community services.
• Act as a clinical adviser to GPs.
• Support networks across the PCN.
• Advise on patient care management and sign-posting.
• Share information on local resources.
• Maintain accountable patient care.

Skills

Strong leadership characteristics

Excellent communication

Networking expertise

Ability to work systemically

Flexibility

Motivation

Education

Registered mental health professional

Job description

Role Summary

Seeks a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner to work within primary care in the Hambleton South PCN. The role will operate in GP practices across the network, offering specialist mental health advice, assessment, brief interventions and supporting transitions to secondary services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist mental health advice and clinical care for patients with a range of needs.
• Conduct triage, assessments, brief interventions and reviews.
• Facilitate safe and effective transitions between Adult Mental Health services and Primary Care.
• Offer short‑term psycho‑social therapeutic interventions directly in GP surgeries, patient homes and other primary care settings.
• Collaborate with GP practices, community, voluntary and secondary mental health services to maximise access to support.
• Act as a clinical adviser to GPs and other practice‑based workers.
• Support the establishment of networks and partnerships across the PCN and the wider mental‑health system.
• Advise on appropriate interventions, ongoing patient‑care management and sign‑posting.
• Collate and share information on local resources, such as voluntary organisations and community opportunities.
• Maintain professional accountability and responsibility for patient care in accordance with clinical governance.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should be registered mental‑health professionals: NMC Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers (England), HCPC Occupational Therapists, or equivalent. A good understanding of primary‑care working is desirable but not essential.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong leadership characteristics and willingness to develop the role.
• Excellent communication, networking and navigation expertise.
• Ability to work systemically across sites and support people holistically.
• Motivation, flexibility and a passion for achieving the best outcomes for patients.

Working Conditions

Flexible and attractive. Non‑working weekends, bank holidays and the possibility of working from GP practice sites across Lambert Medical Centre, Thirsk Health Centre and other network surgeries. Travel between localities is required; applicants must have access to a suitable vehicle.

Visa and Sponsorship

We can offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility.

Employer Information

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust operates a no‑smoking policy and is committed to staff, service user and visitor safety.