Mental Health Adviser – Practice Development (Substance Misuse)

Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Adviser to lead practice development in substance misuse. This role offers the opportunity to provide critical care for individuals in crisis, working within a dynamic team to enhance mental health services. You will leverage your leadership skills to inspire and manage operational challenges while ensuring high-quality patient care. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on innovative solutions, this position is perfect for those passionate about making a difference in mental health. Join a workforce dedicated to delivering world-class patient care across the region.

Qualifications

• Registered clinician with a regulatory body (NMC/HCPC/Social Work).
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality care for individuals calling 999 in crisis.
• Work independently and manage operational issues in emergency care.
• Lead small-scale improvement projects in mental health services.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Organizational Skills

Mental Health Crisis Management

Substance Misuse Knowledge

Quality Improvement Projects

Motivational Interviewing

Education

Postgraduate-level knowledge of mental health

ILM Level 4 in Leadership and Management

Approved mental health professional status

Job description

Band 7

Main area: Mental Health Adviser - Practice Development in Substance Misuse. Grade: Band 7. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 18.75 hours per week (working hours to be confirmed on appointment). Job ref: 020-AHP015-0325-A.

• Part-time
• Job share
• Flexible working
• Home or remote working
• Compressed hours

Location: To be confirmed on appointment. Salary: £46,840 - £53,602 per annum, pro rata. Salary period: Yearly. Closing date: 21/05/2025, 23:59.

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the deadline if a high volume of applications is received. Successful shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email, so please check your email regularly.

All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; applications in Welsh will not be treated less favorably than those in English.

Please check your email regularly. All recruitment correspondence will be sent via the registered email address.

There is a temporary top-up for Bands 2 and 3 to reflect the incorporation of the living wage of £12.60/hour (£24,638/year). This will be in place until the 2025/26 pay uplift is confirmed.

Job overview

Are you a mental health professional seeking your next challenge? Do you have experience leading teams or services? Do you understand Alcohol & Substance Misuse, mental health crisis care, especially in emergency, unscheduled care, and telephone triage settings? If yes, this role could be for you.

Main duties of the job

The Welsh Ambulance Service seeks to employ a Mental Health Adviser - Practice Development in Substance Misuse (Band 7) to deliver high-quality care for individuals calling 999 in crisis.

Reporting to the Specialist Clinical Lead for Mental Health, you will work independently and autonomously. You should have recent experience as a Band 6 (or above) nurse or social worker, capable of managing operational and professional issues within emergency, unscheduled care, and telephone triage settings.

You must possess excellent organizational and leadership skills, experience with small-scale improvement projects, effective communication skills, problem-solving under pressure, and flexibility in work approach. You should be forward-thinking, innovative, collaborative, and inspiring to others.

An induction program will be provided, mainly during office hours, including telephone triage training, and may involve travel to other sites.

This role may require working some weekends, bank holidays, and other unsocial hours.

Welsh language skills are desirable; applications from Welsh and English speakers are equally welcome.

Working for our organization

Our workforce of over 4,000 staff contributes to delivering world-class patient care across Wales, 24/7. We value diversity and inclusivity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including BME communities and individuals with disabilities.

Careers at the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust are diverse, challenging, and rewarding. We invite applications in Welsh; applications in Welsh will not be treated less favorably.

Apply early as we may close the vacancy before the deadline if we receive many applications.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See the full Job description and Person Specification attached or click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience

• Registered clinician with a regulatory body (NMC/HCPC/Social Work/Occupational Therapist)
• Postgraduate-level knowledge of mental health conditions, their impact, and treatment, gained through formal qualifications or clinical experience
• Specialist knowledge related to mental health care, e.g., physical health, substance misuse, perinatal
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health crises
• Knowledge of CAMHS issues and developments locally and nationally
• ILM Level 4 in Leadership and Management or equivalent experience in line management or clinical supervision
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Understanding of current NHS issues, especially regarding emergency and urgent mental health care integration
• Knowledge of legal frameworks like MHA, MCA, etc.
• Willingness to undertake Level 6/7 education aligned with role objectives
• Knowledge of current health and social care agendas
• Experience leading Quality Improvement projects, e.g., IQT Bronze and Silver
• Qualifications in enhanced assessment skills and motivational interviewing
• Experience in clinical audit
• Approved mental health professional status
• Experience in remote patient assessment, e.g., 111/999 settings

Values

• Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment

The Trust encourages applications from underrepresented groups and supports learning Welsh. Please provide full contact details for referees, including emails, to avoid delays. Non-UK/non-RoI candidates need sponsorship for visas and should self-assess their eligibility at Work in the UK. Application costs are lower for the Health and Care visa, with no Immigration Health Surcharge required.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Appropriate UK professional registration is required.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, and a DBS disclosure will be required.