Senior Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Bicester; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity exists for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the NHS in Bicester. The role involves providing mental health support to individuals in crisis, offering assessments and working closely with emergency services. We seek compassionate professionals experienced in mental health care, flexible working, and career progression opportunities are offered.

Benefits

27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service

NHS Discount across shops and restaurants

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Qualifications

• Qualifications: Registered Professional (Mental Health nurse or OT)
• Experience with acutely mentally ill in various settings.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act (MHA) and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Triage callers and provide self-care advice.
• Conduct brief mental health assessments.
• Offer clinical supervision to colleagues.

Skills

Mental Health Assessment

Crisis Management

Multi-disciplinary Team Collaboration

Education

Registered Professional (Mental Health nurse or OT)

Job description

Are you a qualified Mental Health Nurse or Occupational Therapist with a passion for mental health?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can make a real difference to individuals in crisis?

We are seeking a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our dedicated and highly motivated team, providing essential mental health support to those in urgent need.

We are keen to hear from compassionate professionals with experience in mental health care, whether working with children or adults. You should be confident in assessing individuals in distress and providing immediate support.

In return, we offer a fantastic opportunity to work in a progressive, multi-agency environment, with comprehensive training and ongoing professional development available. You will receive regular high-quality supervision to support your practice anda chance to be part of an innovative and compassionate team making a real difference in people's lives.

Working Arrangements

• The service operates seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, with options for long or short shifts, including days and nights.
• Flexible working options are available - please contact us to discuss your requirements.
• While the role is based in Bicester, we are currently trialling a hybrid working model, allowing some remote shifts once established in the team

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner, you will:

• Triage callers, offering expert self-care advice and referring them to the most appropriate services.
• Provide brief mental health assessments, ensuring individuals receive timely and effective support.
• Offer clinical supervision to colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Work closely with emergency services, including Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service, to provide expert mental health advice during 999 calls.
• Liaise with community teams, charities, and IAPT services to deliver integrated care across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

This role operates under the Urgent Care Pathway provided by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

If you have any questions or queries about the role or the team, we'd love to hear from you, so please get in touch with Rachel Baxter on [e-mail].

Person Specification

Qualification

• Registered Professional (Mental Health nurse or OT)

Experience

• Experience of working with the acutely mentally ill in a variety of settings
• Experience of working closely with other disciplines within a multi-disciplinary team

Knowledge

• Knowledge of MHA, MCA and other legal frameworks involved in the delivery of mental health care
• Knowledge of National and local issues concerning mental health
• Knowledge of safeguarding adults and children
• Specialist levels of applied knowledge related to mental health care, e.g. physical health care, substance misuse, perinatal

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£37,338 to £44,962 a yearper annum / pro rata