PCN Senior Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to support community mental health services in Rochdale. The role involves collaboration with GPs, conducting assessments, and providing interventions for individuals with mental health challenges. Qualified professionals with substantial experience in mental health are encouraged to apply for this permanent, full-time position offering competitive salaries ranging from £47,810 to £54,710 annually.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Access to Continued Professional Development

Employee wellbeing services

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist with current registration.
• Substantial post-registration experience in mental health.
• Proven experience with clients having complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Support mental health triage and assessment.
• Directly assist GPs with complex mental health cases.
• Develop mental health clinics based on community needs.

Skills

Mental Health assessment

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Crisis management

Clinical leadership

Resource management

Education

Registered Nurse - Mental Health (RMN)

Post-graduate qualification

Job description

Job Summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is excited to advertise a Senior Mental Health Practitioner role across the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in HMR. The role supports the transformation of community mental health services for adults and older adults, bridging the gap between primary and secondary mental health services and physical health services.

The Senior Mental Health Practitioner will be employed by Pennine Care but based within the Primary Care Networks, in GP surgeries and will be accessible and responsive to GPs and patients within the Primary Care Network. The role promotes early assessment, treatment and improved access, providing evidence‑based interventions for people with mental health needs and helps people focus on achievable goals, access local community resources and promote self‑management.

Job Responsibilities

• Key player within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams (Living Well) MDT
• Provide mental health triage, assessment, formulation and clinical interventions based on NICE guidance within the locality
• Support an access function for people, ensuring swift and seamless access to the most appropriate care pathway and onward access to mental health services
• Develop and implement mental health clinics based on the needs of the PCN
• Directly support GPs with the management of more complex mental health presentations and link with secondary care mental health services
• Support people presenting in crisis, assess clinical risk and provide short‑term interventions where possible, link in to mental health support networks and promote self‑management
• Provide a link role between neighbourhood primary care services and secondary care mental health services for complex cases and issues
• Identify training and education needs for PCN & neighbourhood teams in relation to mental health practice and support the development of mental health training as required

About Us & Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff
• Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
• Access to Continued Professional Development
• Involvement in improvement and research activities
• Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered Nurse - Mental Health (RMN), Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist, with current registration
• Post‑graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Non‑medical Prescribing

Experience (Essential)

• Substantial post‑registration experience working with people with serious mental illness
• Proven experience working with clients with complex needs
• Experience leading multidisciplinary working in mental health care with complex cases
• Experience working to objectives and meeting deadlines within a performance management framework
• Experience providing day‑to‑day clinical leadership and operational management
• Experience supervising junior staff
• Experience managing budgets or resources

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience working in community settings

Knowledge (Essential)

• Working knowledge of current mental health legislation and guidance
• Safeguarding thresholds and procedures
• Understanding of working in a primary care setting
• Working knowledge of NICE guidance in the treatment of common mental health problems
• Knowledge of mental health/risk management processes
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues
• Comprehensive understanding of deliberate self‑harm and appropriate management strategies
• Good understanding of clinical governance and quality improvement
• Competent in developing and delivering training packages relating to mental health
• Knowledge of the range of interventions and services that meet the needs of all service users referred to the service
• Ability to plan, manage, monitor, advise and review interventions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure submission will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions. The check is submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB).

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer Details

Employer name: Pennine Care NHS FT

Address: Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCNs, Various GP surgeries across HMR, Rochdale, OL12 9QB

Employer's website: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk

Additional Information

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 311-R383-25

Job locations: Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCNs, Various GP surgeries across HMR, Rochdale, OL12 9QB

Date posted: 07 November 2025

Job is currently open and accepting applications.