Mental Health Lead Practitioner

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Mental Health Lead Practitioner. This role involves frontline assessment and support for mental health service users across various settings including hospitals and crisis cafes. Key responsibilities include providing specialist assessments, advising teams on management strategies, and supporting the development of acute team staff. The ideal candidate will have mental health experience, a relevant degree, and a nurse prescribing qualification, making it an exciting opportunity within the crisis care pathway.

Qualifications

• Registered Degree Level with mental health knowledge and experience.
• Experience working with service users in crisis.
• Experience working with older people or those with complex health and social care needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and brief interventions across the Crisis Care Pathway.
• Advise multidisciplinary teams on assessment and discharge planning.
• Establish effective relationships with acute hospitals and community teams.

Skills

Assessment and treatment interventions

Expert care management process knowledge

Experience in acute hospital settings

Advanced clinical skills for older adults

Education

Registered Degree Level in mental health

Nurse Prescribing qualification

Job description

Mental Health Lead Practitioner

The closing date is 30 December 2025.

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust has an exciting opportunity for Band 6 mental health professionals with knowledge and experience in mental health to work as an integrated part of the crisis care pathway.

Primary sites include Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital, with countywide coverage. The role provides frontline assessment and support to service users in the ED, wider hospital wards, crisis cafes, Mental Health Hub, police street triage and crisis houses.

Responsibilities

1. Provide specialist assessment and brief interventions across the Crisis Care Pathway to prevent admission to the ED and support early discharge.
2. Improve patient experience within acute hospital and crisis care settings.
3. Advise multidisciplinary teams on assessment, intervention, management and discharge planning.
4. Deliver a countywide service to the Crisis Care Pathway.
5. Support, train and develop acute hospital staff in mental health awareness.
6. Design therapeutic activities within Northamptonshire Hospitals as part of the Acute Liaison Mental Health Service.
7. Supervise junior colleagues and provide clinical support.
8. Establish effective relationships with acute hospitals, community teams, EMAS, police and third‑sector partners.
9. Deliver comprehensive Acute Liaison Mental Health Service interventions for a range of mental health difficulties across both general hospitals.
10. Provide education to staff to improve knowledge, reduce stigma and enhance skills.
11. Offer out‑of‑hours support on a 24/7 shift pattern, including nights and weekends.

Clinical Duties

1. Work within referral and assessment protocols in the ALMHS service and wider pathway.
2. Initiate comprehensive risk assessment for self‑harm and others, with continuity of care post‑discharge.
3. Develop detailed care plans/packages for individuals in hospital, ensuring seamless mental health provision.
4. Assist in appropriate Mental Health Act application for psychiatric hospital admission.
5. Engage patients throughout assessment and treatment, tailoring care packages to individual needs.
6. Collaborate with primary and secondary care to optimise care pathways.
7. Follow information sharing protocols.
8. Conduct and review routine risk assessments for high‑risk suicide and self‑harm cases.
9. Coordinate with local mental health services for continued assessment and care post‑discharge.
10. Maintain an up‑to‑date referral database of mental health needs during hospitalisation and post‑discharge.
11. Act as clinical mentor for placement students on the ALMHS service.
12. Keep clinical records current and in line with Trust policy and professional standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

• Registered Degree Level with mental health knowledge and experience.
• Experience working with service users in crisis.
• Experience working with older people or those with complex health and social care needs.
• Nurse Prescribing qualification.

Skills & Knowledge

• In‑depth knowledge and expertise of assessment, treatment interventions and complex procedures.
• Expert knowledge of the care management process and eligibility criteria, including MHA, MCA, CPA, and current legislation relating to older people.
• Experience working within an acute hospital setting.
• Advanced clinical skills in the care of older adults with mental health needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check to screen for any previous convictions.

Address

Northampton General Hospital & Kettering General Hospital

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust