ARRS Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for Primary Care

Overview

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Mental Health Practitioner (RMN, Social Worker, OT) to join us on a fixed term basis in a Specialist Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner role 3 days per week, based within the Caversham PCN (Reading), supporting GPs with annual SMI reviews and on the day Mental Health support for patients. The successful candidate will have sufficient experience to support the GPs in medication decision making through their comprehensive assessment and documentation skills. They will also be required to undertake Fit Note training.If you are proactive and passionate about innovation and providing a high-quality holistic approach to the care of people who have been identified as in need of mental health support in a primary care setting, we want to hear from you. We are excited to be developing these community services and look forward to applicants specifically interested in working within the Caversham Primary Care Network.Service operates Monday to Friday. Hours worked will match the GP surgeries you are assigned to and will be worked within 8am-8pm. Typical shifts are 9am - 5pm, 8am - 4pm, 10am-6pm (subject to negotiation). You may be asked to do a combination of these shifts each week depending on the GP surgery hours. You will usually be assigned to 2-3 surgeries within your PCN.Responsibilities

To provide a lead in supporting the PCN in triaging mental health concerns raised by on the day patient requests, providing specialist advice and support within GP surgeries.To review patients presenting with mental health issues, consider a range of support and treatment interventions, providing them with highly specialised advice and signposting when appropriate and liaising with GPs and MH teams.To offer brief interventions as needed e.g. problem solving, decision making, building resilience, building on personal strengths, risk de-escalation, medication advice and prescribing if a registered NMP.Working as a member of the primary Care MDT and taking responsibility for the development and implementation of specialist mental health training to the PCN.To provide a navigation role to help GPs make appropriate referrals to the relevant community and secondary care services - bridging the gap between primary care services such as IAPT and secondary care, working in partnership across the system.About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ''outstanding'' by the CQC, we are committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we are committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:Caring for and about you is our top priorityCommitted to providing good quality, safe servicesWorking Together with you to develop innovative solutionsBenefits

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:Flexible working options to support work-life balance27 days'' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sellGenerous NHS pension schemeExcellent learning and career development opportunities''Cycle to Work'' and car leasing scheme including electric vehiclesAccess to a range of wellbeing tools and servicesDiscounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurantsStaff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equalityGenerous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leaveFree parking across Trust sitesDetails

Date posted: 04 September 2025Pay scheme: Agenda for changeBand: Band 7Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rataContract: Fixed termDuration: 12 monthsWorking pattern: Part-timeReference number: 371-MHS842Job locations: Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) West, Emmer Green Surgery, Reading, RG4 8RAInterview will be held on 18th Sept 2025Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

EssentialCurrent professional registration: Registered Mental Health NurseEvidence of relevant post registration training and development (such as motivational interviewing, brief solution focussed interventions, cognitive and behavioural approaches and psychosocial intervention)DesirableIndependent and supplementary PrescriberFit Note trainingRecognised Post Graduate clinical or leadership qualification relevant to the roleMentor and mentorship trainingContinuous Professional Development

EssentialAdvanced understanding of the mental health needs of adults.DesirableSpecialist knowledge of person-centred care and its application.Able to demonstrate advanced understanding of health inequalities amongst marginalised groupsSpecialist knowledge of psycho-social interventions and their appropriate use.Working knowledge of appropriate assessment tools.Working knowledge of the policies and guidelines pertinent to the planning and delivery of community MH care to adults with mental health needs.Recovery focused practitioner able to apply recovery principles to adults and older people, understanding of ''strengths- based'' approachesClear understanding of psychotropic medication and the monitoring of effects and side effects.Knowledge of practical application and use psychological therapiesAwareness of the impact of the health economies on service planning and delivery.Specialist knowledge relating to MH needs of young adults age 18-25 and to the needs of those diagnosed with, or with presenting traits of, personality disorderPrevious Experience

EssentialMinimum 5 years post registration experience in working with people with mental health needsCommunity experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe / significant mental illnessExperience of providing a range of evidence based interventions to people with a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illnessConsiderable experience in the assessment and management of clinical riskExperience of effective collaborative working in partnership to deliver holistic health and social care outcomesEvidence of Interdisciplinary / multi-agency working experience including primary care and community/ voluntary sectorExperience of leadership and development of junior colleaguesDesirableExperience in physical health assessment for people with mental health needsProficient in clinical audits and researchExperience of working in primary and secondary mental health servicesExperience in the planning and delivery of training and practice developments to staffExperience in service evaluation and improvementsExperience working in a CAMHS and/or OPMH serviceKnowledge, Skills and Abilities

EssentialPossesses high level of IT skills including word, outlook, excel and power pointAbility to prioritise workload effectively, meeting expected deadlinesAdvanced interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate and work with a wide range of professionals across traditional service interfacesAbility to work effectively under pressureAbility to manage change and deal with conflict / stressful situationsDesirableAble to demonstrate commitment to high quality care and service provisionExcellent analytical and decision-making skillsEffective negotiation skillsAbility to produce and present clear reportsAdditional Requirements

EssentialRecognise peoples'' right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respectWillingness to be flexible in approach and attitudeAbility to foster good interagency workingAbility to represent the team / service / Trust in a professional mannerAbility to travel independentlyDesirableWillingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of workingAbility to work flexibly, outside normal working patterns if neededOther

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 DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.Employer details: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation TrustAddress: Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) West, Emmer Green Surgery, Reading, RG4 8RAEmployer''s website: ..... full job details .....