Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

Oxford Health's Buckinghamshire Mental Health Directorate is working in collaboration with Buckinghamshire's Primary Care Networks (PCN) to develop and implement improved access to specialist mental health care and treatment within primary care services. Focusing onbridging the gapbetween primary and secondary care Mental Health services for individuals withcomplex and severe mental illness.

The service is designed toempower patients 18years+to access specialist mental health support locally, within their GP Surgeries in a timely manner.

We are looking for autonomous, driven, and confidentOccupational Therapypractitioner(s)who pride themselves on delivering a high-quality holistic approachfor patients needing mental health support. This is an opportunity for someone to develop their career and skill across ahighly innovative and transformative servicewith scope toinfluenceOccupational Therapyservice innovation and deliverywithin Primary Care

Please see the link attached to a video with more information about the service.

Being a Specialist Mental Health Practitioner - YouTube

The successful Occupational Therapist will facilitate improved opportunities forjoint workingwith our voluntary care sector, contributing to theleadershipand development of national mental health agendas within their Primary Care Network (PCN). As part of the Primary Care Networks Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) your role will provide mental healthtriage, assessment and advice to patients, carers, and colleagues. Facilitating early interventionsto aid recovery within the community and utilising your profession specific skills toenable prompt access to specialist servicesfor patients.
- You will have links to strong Allied Health and Occupational Therapy professional Leadership within the trust
- Excellent opportunities for on-going profession specific training and networking with other Occupational Therapists.
- Minimum four week bespoke induction developed across both Oxford Health and the PCN.
- Based within the GP surgeries on a day-to-day basis, with an opportunity to discuss hybrid working.
- Direct management, supervision and development through Oxford Health.
- Consistent clinical supervision and support from lead GP within your PCN.
- Strong focus and priority on training and qualifications through regular Professional Development Reviews (PDR) to ensure you are clinically skilled to carry out your role and focus on your career progression goals.
- Protected time to attend the ICS Peer Support Network across B.O.B. - Excellent opportunities for career progression
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Staff accommodation
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.

1. To provide a lead role in supporting the PCN in triaging mental health concerns raised by on the day patient requests, highly providing specialist advice and support within GP surgeries
2. To review patients presenting with mental health issues, consider a range of options regarding treatment interventions providing them with highly specialised advice concerning care when appropriate and liaising with GPs and MH teams
3. To offer brief interventions as needed eg problem solving, decision making, building resilience, building on personal strengths, risk de-escalation.
4. Identifying care act eligibility and referring appropriately for assessments, carers assessments or safeguarding concerns.
5. Working as a member of the primary Care multi-professional team and taking responsibility for the development and implementation of specialist mental health training to the PCN.
6. To provide a navigation role to help GP’s 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.