About the Trust Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), a community and mental health trust, are rated Outstanding in their most recent CQC report as well as being recognised as a Global Digital Exemplar. In this role you will be located in and working across an area with all the benefits of country living with the convenience of big city life. Why might this job interest you? Being a Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for Primary Care in the NHS is a versatile and impactful role that spans across various healthcare settings, from hospitals to community clinics. It involves providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, addressing both acute medical needs and long-term health management. The flexibility in scheduling allows general nurses to balance their professional responsibilities with personal commitments, ensuring they can deliver compassionate and effective care while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Clinical Responsibilities Case find, screen, triage, assess and coordinate the development of care plans for people who have been referred by a member of the Primary Care Team. Provide brief support and time limited evidence-based interventions, using the principles of motivational interviewing. Complete joint assessments with CMHT, to identify and support patients ready to transition to primary care, and develop care plans and prepare people for step down. Work with the Primary Care Community Connector, to map community resources and assets that are available for those with SMI within the specific PCN geography and ensure awareness of these is communicated throughout the Primary Care Network. Lead collaborative working between the full range of physical health and mental health services, to ensure that people who need care are able to access it quickly and easily and are prevented from being excluded from services or falling through gaps. Establish an ethos within the service based on individual strengths and community assets, and support service users, carers and families to access voluntary services and other relevant community providers, and utilise available information to promote self-management approaches as part of a holistic approach. Lead on establishing sustainable networks that help to streamline care pathways across community, primary and secondary care services within the PCN population. General Responsibilities This is a varied role where you'll be expected to undertake the range of responsibilities specified above, working together with your line manager and colleagues to ensure that the activities of this post make a real difference to our patients. Your line manager may ask you to undertake other reasonable duties to facilitate the smooth running of your service or team. We are an equal opportunities employer, and you'll be expected to model equality of opportunity, live the values and always operate in accordance with our Equal Opportunities Policy. Health and Safety at work is important to us and we would like you to model the highest standards of behaviour and go above and beyond by adopting excellent practice where it links to the health and wellbeing of our colleagues. It is important that you cooperate with us to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to. Qualifications/Experience Required Qualifications Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or equivalent. Evidence of relevant post registration training and development in particular motivational interviewing, brief solution-focused interventions, cognitive and behavioural approaches, and psychosocial intervention. Experience Minimum 5 years post registration experience in working with people with mental health needs. Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe/significant mental illness. Experience of providing a range of evidence-based interventions to people with a variety of mental health problems and serious mental illness. Considerable experience in the assessment and management of clinical risk. Experience in physical health assessment for people with mental health needs. Experience of effective collaborative working in partnership to deliver holistic health and social care outcomes. Evidence of interdisciplinary/multi-agency working experience including primary care and community/voluntary sector. Experience of leadership and development of junior colleagues. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Advanced understanding of the mental health needs of adults. Specialist knowledge of person-centred care and its application. Able to demonstrate advanced understanding of health inequalities amongst marginalised groups. Specialist 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 approaches. Clear understanding of psychotropic medication and the monitoring of effects and side effects. Benefits Putting People in Places to Care: be part of the NHSP community, by joining the bank and caring for patients with a team of people from all walks of life. Weekly pay to give you access to your wages more quickly. Blue Light Card NHS Discount Provider. First choice of shifts/placements at the Trust of your choice over agencies. Our team is always happy to help—access our support line any time. Working options to suit your lifestyle: being on the bank gives you the flexibility to work the shifts you want or choose fixed-term placements. Training and development opportunities via the Trust and NHSP's own academy. Explore different wards, keep your skills up to date whilst gaining vital experience. Being part of the NHSP Community means you'll get access to member activities such as member of the month, member appreciation week, key date giveaways, webinar series and much more. Who are NHS Professionals? NHS Professionals is a flexible staff bank, owned by the Department of Health, our purpose is to provide you with the autonomy to decide when, how, and where you want to work. Supporting your lifestyle and making you feel part of the team and community. Offering you flexible work or alternatively fixed-term placements.