Local Primary Mental Health Support Service Practitioner

NHS; Lampeter; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Local Primary Mental Health Support Service Practitioner to support individuals with mild to moderate mental health issues. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, providing evidence-based psychological therapies, and participating in clinical governance. Applicants should have a relevant post-graduate qualification and experience in mental health. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable but not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Eligible to assess under part one of The Mental Health Wales Measure.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and competence.
• Demonstrable relevant work experience with common mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

Responsibilities

• Ensure participation in all relevant governance measures to support safe practice.
• Make decisions on new referrals and risk assessment.
• Provide information on evidence-based psychological treatments.

Skills

Autonomous working

Communication skills

Therapeutic relationship development

Clinical assessment

Education

CBT qualification to post-graduate certificate or diploma level

Current registration on a professional register

Job description

Local Primary Mental Health Support Service Practitioner

Local Primary Mental Health Support Services (LPMHSS) in Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) offer a specialist multi-disciplinary service for individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems, as outlined in the Mental Health Measure for Wales (2010). LPMHSS form part of a whole system approach that is delivered in conjunction with in-patient services, Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams (CRHT), Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) and associated specialist mental health services, such as Integrated Psychological Therapy Services (IPTS).

The service offered by the LPHMSS is based on good practice guidelines outlined in the Welsh Assembly Government Document Interim Policy Implementation Guidance and standards, National Service Framework (NSF), Hywel Dda UHB policy on the Care and Treatment Plan (CTP) and the Department of Health Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide and National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Responsibilities:

Ensure participation in all relevant governance measures to support safe and effective practice.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service criteria, signposting and escalating to secondary service asrequired.

Undertake patient - centred interviews, identifying areas the person wishes to see change with effective risk assessment and person centred safety planning.

Provide information associated with evidence based high volume moderate intensity psychological treatments for service users and carers. This may include guided self-help, psychoeducation, individual talking therapy (eg CBT). This work may be face to face,in group sessions, telephone or via other media.

Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Adhere to an agreed job plan associated with clinical slots and job tasks. Manage organisation of own workload within defined occupational / departmental policies communicating any needs.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 03/12/2025

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Eligible to assess under part one of The Mental Health Wales Measure
• Current registration on a professional register
• Specialist clinical knowledge and skill equivalent to post graduate level learning, in the theoretical and practical application of psychological interventions such as CBT
• Knowledge of NMC and other professional bodies codes of practice
• Knowledge of current policies, practices & procedures within nursing, healthcare and the HDUHB
• Knowledge of extended role responsibilities
• Understanding of clinical competence & clinical governance
• Awareness of topical issues in clinical skills
• Knowledge of clinical supervision & clinical effectiveness in the work place
• CBT qualification to post-graduate certificate or diploma level

Experience

• Period of post-registration clinical experience where a degree of autonomous working has been required
• Demonstrable relevant work experience with people who have common mental health problems i.e. anxiety and depression etc
• Demonstrates high standards of written communication to ensure clinical outcomes are reported appropriately
• Able to write clear reports and letters
• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
• Experience of working with children and young people and or older adults
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Evidence of working in the local community

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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 Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£39,263 to £47,280 a yearper annum (pro rata if part time)