Mental Health Practitioner

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to join their Wellbeing Service in Ipswich. This key role involves conducting assessments and managing risk for patients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience and demonstrate excellent communication skills. The position offers hybrid working flexibility and a chance to work within a dedicated team focused on high standards of care.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years post-qualification experience in a mental health role.
• Proven ability to conduct clinical assessments and manage risk.
• Experience providing support in a fast-paced team environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments and risk management.
• Screen and triage referrals to determine appropriate pathways.
• Support and advise other healthcare professionals.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Self-motivated

Experience in risk assessment

Teamwork

Education

Relevant qualification in mental health

Job description

The Wellbeing Service is an NHS Talking Therapies Service, providing primary care assessment, advice, and psychological interventions to people in Suffolk aged 16 and above. The service primarily caters to those seeking support with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression.

The service is delivered through a partnership between Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT). We adopt a bio-psycho-social model, including psychological, employment, and social interventions across the county. Treatments are primarily delivered by telephone, online via webinars, and face-to-face.

We require excellent communicators and self-motivated individuals committed to delivering high standards of care. The role involves undertaking assessments within primary care, including risk assessments to determine access to secondary mental health services. You will screen and triage referrals to identify appropriate onward pathways and provide support and advice to other healthcare professionals, including attending and chairing interface meetings as appropriate. Ensuring clinical practice aligns with NICE guidelines, primary care, and Trust policies is essential.

This opportunity is suitable for a Mental Health Practitioner, Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, or a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with at least 2 years post-qualification experience who is passionate about the Step 2 model and eager to develop their career within the service.

You will assist the leadership team in developing the Low Intensity part of the service and help achieve key performance indicators. Responsibilities include conducting clinical assessments, managing risk, and performing referral screening and triage to determine the appropriate pathway.

Risk assessment and management are crucial aspects of this role. You should have experience conducting thorough risk assessments, safety planning, and providing support, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced team.

This position is based at Mariner House in Ipswich. If successful at interview, there may be flexibility regarding a base location at either Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds. Hybrid working is an option, but the post holder is expected to be in either Bury St Edmunds or Ipswich for a minimum of three days a week.

Why work for us? Despite challenges, we have ambitious goals, exciting transformation projects, and a dedicated team committed to your well-being. We are proud of our high morale, evidenced by workforce surveys, and our recent five-year contract extension reflects our stability and growth. This is a very exciting time to join the service.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The region offers a warm, welcoming community, proximity to beautiful coastlines and Broads National Park, and is just an hour and a half from London with an international airport in Norwich. Our area features rich history, independent cafes, shops, theatres, excellent shopping, dining options, top-ranking schools, and affordable housing.