Primary Care Mental Health Link Workernhs Afc: Band 7

East London Nhs Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

East London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Primary Care Mental Health Link Workers to join a multidisciplinary team. You will work within the CMHT framework, supporting primary care teams with assessment, management and signposting for adults with complex mental health needs.

You will provide education, consultation and problem-solving skills to primary health care teams, helping to develop integrated care models and linking with secondary services as required.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification in mental health (DipOT, DipSW, RMN, Clinical Psychology Grade A, or Diploma in Counselling).
• Experience in a mental health care setting with short-term interventions (CBT, counselling, problem-solving).

Responsibilities

• Promote mental health and personalised care within primary care teams.
• Develop relationships with primary care practices and attend practice meetings.
• Provide specialist advice and support to carers managing mental health problems in primary care.
• Assess and treat common mental health disorders and advise on onward referrals.
• Participate in regular clinical and management supervision to maintain safe practice.
• Facilitate effective communication between secondary and primary care services to ensure timely interventions.

Skills

CBT

Counselling

Problem solving

Education

DipOT

DipSW

RMN

Clinical Psychology Grade A

Diploma – Counselling

Job description

Job overview

Primary Care Mental Health Link Workers will be experienced mental health professionals drawn from the established Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or working within an allied social care or health team but have previous mental health working experience, working as a member of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), working within the Primary Care arena.
The postholder(s) will be members of the CMHT, in order to receive support and supervision and be attached to a specific Group of GP Practices in the Locality.
The Link Worker(s) will have the key role of providing support, consultation, advice, education and problem-solving skills to the Primary Health Care Team, particularly in the areas of assessment and management of complex mental health problems in adults, including and acting as a 'signposter' to appropriate external services. In line with future service developments it is expected that the Primary Care Link Worker will take on management responsibility for dedicated Primary Care Liaison Teams.
Within each Locality they will be supported in developing services that provide continuity of personalised care within the primary care environment. The postholder(s) will be expected to adopt and enable flexible approaches to developing unique models of integrated care, taking into account each Primary Care Team’s unique strengths and weaknesses.

Main duties of the job

Main duties and responsibilities are as outlined in the job description. please refer to the JD for key responsibilities.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To actively promote mental health, have a sound understanding of mental health and wellbeing, and to promote personalised care.
2. Potential referrals to both specialist and voluntary services can be discussed with the Link Worker to ensure the most effective intervention is offered to the client. There may be a need for a small number of these (complex cases) to be screened by the Link Worker and advice offered/obtained on appropriate interventions and ongoing Service User management.
3. To promote the use of treatment protocols and care pathways leading to increased competencies and better care of people with severe mental health difficulties within the primary care setting.
4. In conjunction with primary care, the local CMHTs and the PCT, to assist in the development, maintenance and use of Severe Mental Illness Registers and Dementia Registers, ensuring
regular review of Service Users’ needs including their physical health.
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5. To develop a close relationship with primary care practices by attending practice meetings and having regular informal contact as local need determines.
6. In cases where their Service User is in crisis, the Link Worker will expedite referral to the Crisis Resolution at Home Treatment (CRHT) Team.
7. To work with the Primary Health Care Team to enable them to develop their skills and confidence in assessment and treatment of, in particular, common mental health disorders. To advise on further management where necessary. To ensure appropriate onward referral as required.
8. To provide specialist advice and support to carers, supporting those with mental health problems identified in primary care.
9. To participate in regular Clinical and Management Supervision to maintain safe practice and high standards in Service User care.
10. To identify and respond to own continuous professional development needs, particularly in relation to assessment and treatment of Service Users with common mental health problems.
11. To act as a source of specialist knowledge, support and advice to both primary care and Service Users concerning mental health promotion.
12. To facilitate effective communication between secondary care and primary care services, to ensure that Service Users receive the appropriate interventions in a timely manner.
13. Where cross border issues arise, to ensure links are facilitated with teams and agencies in other PCT areas/countries. Ensure care is appropriately co-ordinated.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria

• Relevant Professional qualification (DipOT, DipSW, RMN, Clinical Psychology Grade A, Diploma – Counselling)

Desirable criteria

• Theoretical study to master degree level in a relevant subject relating to the role.

Essential

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a mental health care setting, using short term interventions eg: CBT, counselling, problemsolving.

Desirable criteria

• Negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations, including the resolution of complaints that may involve diffusion of hostility and aggression.