First Contact Practitioner (Mental Health)

Salary: £24,334 per annum

Hours: 37 hours pw (full-time)

Contract: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months

Buckinghamshire Mind is seeking a First Contact Practitioner to work within a Primary Care Network (PCN) to support patients seeking an appointment with their GP, where Mental Health support is needed. The First Contact Practitioner will achieve this by offering an enhanced triage assessment to determine the next steps for the patient and provide facilitated access to the relevant services. 

Who we are

Buckinghamshire Mind works to support and represent people with mental health illnesses living across the county. We tackle stigma and discrimination head-on. We support our service-users to live safe, purposeful and fulfilled lives in our communities. We believe in their recovery and are hopeful about their future. Working together with National Mind we will not give up until everyone in our community gets the respect and help that they need. 

Do you have the following key skills for this role?

• empathic and active listening skills
• experience in supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing
• knowledge of relevant local community services
• good networking and organisational skills, and a positive approach towards finding solutions
• good understanding of Equality and Diversity principles

Why work with us

This role provides a real opportunity to develop your skills in working in the mental health charity sector and NHS Adult Mental Health Teams. You’ll be part of a supportive and dedicated multi-partnership team and have the opportunity to see your work bring about positive change. 

You’ll receive monthly supervision and support with your personal and career development.

As this role is based in the community with travel between several locations, you’ll need access to a vehicle for use during work hours. Alternative transport arrangements will be considered.

Responsibilities  

Working with patients

• Support people in primary care settings, working in a collaborative way to meet the needs of people with a range of mental health needs.
• Offer mental health care for people presenting to their GP surgery with a range of mental health needs.
• Work as an autonomous practitioner within a team of GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Reception staff and Pharmacists.
• To act as a First Contact Mental Health Worker, undertaking 20-minute triage assessments, and then either referring the patient to the most appropriate service, or arranging access to our guided self-help service. 
• Be responsible for a caseload of patients, assisting them to use the guided self-help model. 
• To offer networking expertise and navigation to a range of specialist mental health support across the community system to ensure that, once assessed, each person receives the best possible care.
• Liaise with, develop and maintain good relations with GPs, practice managers and other health practitioners across mental health pathways and wider support networks. 

Administration and projects 

• Accurately record patient information and update notes using the EMIS database.
• Deliver an effective service in line with our contractual KPI’s. 
• Liaise with other parties over email and letter. 
• Complete mandatory training via e-learning. 
• To promote/publicise the service and establish positive customer engagement, as well as being involved in promoting general aspects of well-being.
• To promote the concepts of social inclusion, early intervention and recovery. 
• Report patient feedback to the Prevention Services Manager.