Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner - First Response

NHS; Wales; Remote; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Powys Teaching Health Board in Powys, Wales, is recruiting a Band 5 Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for the 24/7 Mental Health First Response service. You will be the first point of contact for people needing urgent mental health support and work within a multidisciplinary team.

This permanent, full‑time post (37.5 hours per week) includes a 24/7 shift pattern and offers training and development within the NHS, welcoming Welsh speakers.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in mental health.
• Knowledge of mental health conditions and social determinants of wellbeing.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion, stigma, and discrimination.
• Knowledge of local services and mental health pathways.
• Understanding of evidence-based psychosocial interventions.

Responsibilities

• Work within a multidisciplinary mental health care team.
• Communicate effectively with people in distress, their families and carers, professionals contacting the service and colleagues.
• Work within a service that provides mental health support 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
• Be flexible with regards to working hours.
• Understand when it is necessary to elevate the call to relevant registrant, clinician, service or organisation, and manage the transition in collaboration with the relevant person/people.
• Have access to information regarding local services to provide continued support where needed.
• Be trauma informed and aware of social determinants of mental health when developing a plan.

Skills

Strong communication

Empathy and resilience

Risk assessment

Interpreters collaboration

Welsh language learning

Education

Degree-level education

CPD in mental health

Tools

NHS systems

Job description

Band 5

Main area Mental Health Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent: 2 Full Time Posts Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24 hour shift pattern) Job ref 070-ACS077-1026

Employer Powys Teaching Health Board Employer type NHS Site TBC Town TBC Salary £32,557 - £39,631 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 02/11/2026 23:59

Be part of a 'Healthy Caring Powys' and help us transform the way we provide health and care, so our communities can Start Well, Live Well and Age Well.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 5 (without professional registration) to join the team in a key role within the 24/7 Mental Health First Response service (111 Press 2), where you will be the first point of contact for people who may require urgent mental health support.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will:

Work within a multidisciplinary mental health care team, with a varying composition.

The post holder must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with a range of people, including people in distress, their families and carers, professionals contacting the service and colleagues.

Work within a service that provides mental health support 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

The post holder must therefore be flexible with regards to their working hours.

Work within a multidisciplinary mental health care team, with a varying composition. The post holder must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with a range of people, including people in distress, their families and carers, professionals contacting the service and colleagues.

Understand when it is necessary to elevate the call to relevant registrant, clinician, service or organisation, and be able to confidently manage the transition in collaboration with the relevant person/people.

Have access to information regarding local services that people can be introduced to, so that appropriate and continued support is made available where the caller requires more support than can be offered by the Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner.

Be trauma informed and be aware of the social determinants of mental health when developing a support plan with each person accessing the service.

Working for our organisation

Being the smallest Heath Board in Wales means that you won’t get lost in the crowd. Everybody at Powys Teaching Health Board is valued for the contribution they make to our varied and diverse portfolio of community-based services. Together, we can continue to make a real difference to our patients and build on our unrivalled reputation.

As a supportive and progressive employer, we actively encourage you to carve out a career with us, through a range of development pathways. We’re also lucky enough to be situated in one of the most beautiful rural counties in Britain, let alone Wales! Achieving a healthy ’life work’ balance is essential, and something we recognise by prioritising your well-being.

To start your journey with us, and to learn more about what we can offer you please visit: https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ . There you will find information about our benefits and values, read staff experiences and more about what our beautiful county has to offer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers; but even if you don’t speak any Welsh, or want to develop your skills, don’t worry: the health board will support you with training.

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development in mental health or related field
• Knowledge of mental health conditions and social determinants of wellbeing
• Understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion, stigma, and discrimination
• Knowledge of local services and mental health pathways
• Understanding of evidence-based psychosocial interventions

Experience

• Providing mental health or wellbeing support
• Working independently and within a team and prioritising workload in a busy environment
• Working within multidisciplinary teams or with partner agencies
• Using psychosocial interventions
• Experience supporting people in crisis or acute distress
• Experience delivering telephone-based assessments or support
• Experience working within NHS or community mental health settings

Skills and Attributes

• Strong communication skills adaptable to remote (telephone/video) working
• Build therapeutic relationships quickly
• Analytical and decision-making skills for risk assessment and prioritisation
• Emotional resilience and self-awareness
• Uses display screen equipment for prolonged periods to complete documentation
• Knowledge of NHS systems, policies, and outcome measures
• Ability to work effectively with interpreters
• Some ability to speak, read and/or write Welsh, or an eagerness to learn

As a Health Board we embrace diversity and inclusion. We offer a supportive and welcoming place to work which is free from discrimination and fair in all our working practices.

We’ll value your contribution whether you’re looking for your first job, an apprenticeship, re-entering the workforce or looking for a career change. Powys Teaching Health Board warmly welcomes all.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Marielle Restall Job title Service Manager - 111 press 2 Email address [e-mail] Additional information

We reserve the right to close the online vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications.