Primary Care Mental Health Nurse

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Dudley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Dudley seeks a Registered Mental Health Nurse to provide clinical support in designated GP practices. The role requires strong clinical judgement, autonomy in managing referrals, and delivering evidence-based psychological therapies. Ideal candidates have Band 6 therapeutic nursing experience and a commitment to professional development. Competitive salary under NHS Agenda for Change pay structures offered.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Professional development support

Equal opportunity employer

Qualifications

• Registered mental health nurse (RNs) with nursing registration in the UK.
• Band 6 therapeutic nursing experience.
• Experience working within primary-care settings is advantageous.
• Strong communication skills and proactive attitude.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess service users with mental health needs.
• Deliver recovery-focused psychological interventions.
• Manage high volumes of referrals autonomously.
• Participate in performance management and audits.

Skills

Clinical judgement

Communication skills

Ability to work autonomously

Proactive attitude

Knowledge of mental health practice

Education

Registered mental health nurse

Job description

Job Overview

Registered mental health nurses will be supported by the Team Manager, Senior Clinical Lead/CBT Practitioner, and team administrators. Post holders will have a high level of autonomy working across designated GP practices, managing their own clinics and providing mental health assessment and evidence‑based treatment for people aged over 18. The role involves developing and managing all aspects of the service, including waiting lists, service operational policy, GP consultation, liaison, education and training. Staff are expected to attend GP practice meetings at least twice a year, manage high volumes of referrals autonomously and work on their own initiative in a busy and demanding service.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first clinical point of contact, screening, assessing, and working with service users with complex common mental health needs and stable, predictable and enduring serious mental health needs.
• Exercise clinical judgement to identify and assess health care needs and consider a range of options for treatment.
• Deliver primary care recovery‑focused psychological interventions that meet the needs of service users who are too complex or not suitable for Talking Therapies yet do not meet the threshold for psychological therapies in secondary care.
• Support primary care (GP surgeries) in the management of service users on depot medication and assist with identifying early warning signs, relapse signatures, follow‑up appointments following non‑attendance and re‑referral back to secondary mental health services where indicated.
• Provide triage, assessment, sign‑posting, referral and brief NICE guidance interventions delivered through a person‑centred and recovery‑focussed model.
• Offer one‑to‑one and group evidence‑based psychological therapies.
• Carry a clinical caseload and undertake specific administrative and preceptor tasks, including record keeping, inputting activity data, audit and participation within business and service development meetings.
• Engage in performance management, audit, research activity and participate in business and service development meetings.
• Receive and deliver clinical supervision and participate in annual personal development reviews.
• Actively participate in and support the development of new ways of working that strengthen and support the coordination of a whole‑systems approach to meeting client need.
• Be involved in service evaluation, audit, and research initiatives.

Please note that Internal at Risk Employees will be given preference for this position.

Qualifications

• Registered mental health nurse (RNs) with nursing registration in the UK.
• Band 6 therapeutic nursing experience with demonstrated knowledge of mental health practice and evidence‑based treatment.
• Experience working within primary‑care settings or with GP practices is advantageous.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage change effectively and handle high volumes of referrals.
• Strong clinical judgement, communication skills and a proactive, innovative attitude.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and participation in clinical supervision.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range quoted is as per NHS Agenda for Change pay structures where applicable. Experience gained with other NHS Trusts will apply, but candidates without prior experience working directly for the NHS would normally be appointed at the lowest point unless they can demonstrate equivalent experience and then be eligible for incremental increases in future years.

About the Trust

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country. The Trust offers:

• Adult and older adult mental health services
• Specialist learning disability services
• Mental health services for children and young people
• Community healthcare services for children, young people and families in Dudley

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, with the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. With over 4,000 staff, the Trust delivers outstanding services based on best practice and is continually improving.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

The Trust is committed to equal opportunities, providing opportunities for flexible working, and is a non‑smoking organisation. We are passionate about anti‑racism, disability inclusion and LGBTQ+ equality, and are committed to diversifying our staff team in all areas and at all levels of seniority to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. Applicants from minority or marginalised communities, including Black and Asian, disabled (including hidden disabilities such as neurodiversity, mental health, etc.), and LGBTQ+ people are particularly welcome and encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants have the option of requesting that their application be considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS). Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be available at each stage of the recruitment process. Some posts may be subject to a standard enhanced DBS check.