Page 1 PML Job Description

Post title: Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner

Working hours: Full or Part-time (minimum 20 hours)

Reports to: Clinically and Managerially: Lead Nurse/Senior Manager

Job Summary

The role will involve liaison, consultation and joint working with primary care colleagues, as well as
liaison with secondary care, social work and voluntary sector staff.

The Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner will be responsible for the assessment, treatment and
advocacy of a cohort of patients, defined as:

 Those presenting with existing diagnosis of mental illness, who are currently stable and
discharged from Secondary Care
 Those who present to Primary Care, Out of Hours and A&E where physical health origin or
cause has been excluded
 Those who require support and brief intervention for sustainability in their mental health
recovery and to avoid further instances of presenting to secondary care

Responsibilities

The post holder will:

 Work as a self-directed autonomous practitioner

 Effectively manage a defined caseload
 Identify potential risk factors and support the individual in safety planning
 Be able to provide appropriate assessment and treatment to vulnerable adults
 Refer and signpost patients to services / agencies as appropriate
 Be able to respond to the needs of patients and their families at a time when they are most
vulnerable
 Have knowledge of local Safeguarding process and be able to recognise and refer potential
concerns to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub. Where necessary submit reports and
attend multi-disciplinary case conferences
 Participate and support in the delivery of multi-disciplinary care to patients
 Formulate a treatment recommendation and feed back to the multi-disciplinary team for a
shared approach to patient care
 Will have a working knowledge of treatment options available within Primary Care
 Have an appreciation of the medication side effects and psychologically based interventions
such as relapse prevention, cognitive based strategies and brief solution focussed therapies
 Practice to a high standard in accordance with best practice guidelines and evidence based
care such as NICE guidelines and National Service framework for Mental Health
 Be proficient in the use of Office IT systems such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
 On receipt of appropriate training be confident in the use of the chosen clinical system –
EMIS

Professional

Central Office, 3 Barberry Place, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4TL

Tel: 01295 981166 Web: www.principal-medical.co.uk
Registered in the UK: 04679678
Page 2 PML Job Description
 Represent their profession in accordance with best practice standards and code of conduct
with their relevant regulatory body.
 Approach Continuing Professional Development and appraisal in an open and constructive
manner
 Prepare and deliver formal and informal teaching sessions and support others in providing
education for patients, relatives and colleagues

The post holder will be able to communicate effectively with patients presenting with complex
mental health needs.

Information governance

PML is committed to consistently high standards of information. All employees have an individual
responsibility to ensure that in the course of their duties, any records that they create are of high
quality, accurate and up to date and compliant with PML’s Records Management, Freedom of
Information and Health Records policies and procedures and that the confidentiality and security of
all information is maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain confidentiality of information in accordance with professional and
PML policy. The post holder may access information only on a need to know basis in the direct
discharge of duties and divulge information only in the proper course of duties.

Equal opportunities

To promote and develop the equality of opportunities in accordance with the PML Equal
Opportunities Policy.

This job description seeks to outline the key duties and responsibilities of the post holder and is
not a definitive document and does not form part of the main statement of terms and conditions.
This job will be reviewed periodically and changes may be made in consultation with the post-
holder.

Central Office, 3 Barberry Place, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4TL

Tel: 01295 981166 Web: www.principal-medical.co.uk
Registered in the UK: 04679678
Page 3 PML Job Description

Person Specification – Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner

Categories Essential Desirable
Qualifications  Registered Nurse – RMN,  Relevant post graduate
Mental Health Occupational qualification, e.g. Counselling,
Therapist or Social Worker CBT, IBT, PSI

Experience  Experience in adult Mental  Experience of working in a

Health Community Mental Health /
 Training in Safeguarding Primary Care environment
Adults and Children (L2)
Knowledge  Experience of developing,  Experience of quality assurance
and skills implementing and evaluating and appreciation of CQC
care plans with other standards.
members of multi-  Experience of presenting and
disciplinary teams. teaching
 Excellent interpersonal and
communication skills.
 Effective IT skills
 Excellent organisational
ability
 Effective risk assessment and
management experience
 Experience of multi-
disciplinary collaborative
working.
 Possess an ability to
motivate others
Developing  Keep own relevant
self and professional knowledge,
others skills and expertise up-to-
date and applies them
effectively.

Central Office, 3 Barberry Place, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4TL

Tel: 01295 981166 Web: www.principal-medical.co.uk
Registered in the UK: 04679678