Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner role is focused on enhancing patient care across the Northeast, Central and West, and South Primary Care Networks. This position involves conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, triaging referrals to appropriate secondary care or psychological therapies in accordance with national guidelines and best practice. Practitioners will manage patients experiencing mild to moderate mental health conditions, aiming to reduce inappropriate referrals and hospital admissions while promoting self-care. Working autonomously within GP surgeries, they will manage varying levels of demand and monitoring stable patients with severe mental illness under shared care protocols. Key responsibilities include managing mental health risks, fostering collaboration with partner agencies, and strengthening connections across health and social care. Exceptional organisational, interpersonal, assessment, and risk management skills are crucial for this role, along with the ability to work independently. Data reporting and outcome metrics will also be key components of the role, ensuring evidence-based practice and continuous improvement in patient care. The primary responsibilities for this role are as detailed: Primary Responsibilities The following are the core responsibilities of the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels. a) Provision of assessment for people presenting to the GP surgeries who appear to be experiencing mental health problems acting as both a first and second contact practitioner within a variety of surgeries. b) Ensure that personally generated patient documentation is accurate and maintained in line with relevant NMC/professional bodies standards, guidelines and operational guidance. c) Liaise with key stakeholders/partner organisations regarding care pathways and treatment. d) Communicate and engage effectively with patients, their carers and the public regarding care pathways and treatment. e) Communicate and present complex and sensitive clinical information when required at relevant forums. f) Be able to utilise specialist assessment tools so to enhance the assessment process. g) Assess and manage clinical risk within agreed protocols and that actions are implemented to meet the health and welfare needs of staff and patients. h) Provide a holistic mental health assessment. i) To work independently and use clinical judgement in decision making. j) Provide interventions and self-management techniques, advice, guidance, and support literature to patients who will benefit. k) Support patients to access the GP practices physical health promotion and prevention services. Signpost to Health Improvement Practitioners within the surgery/neighbourhood, community assets and other voluntary services for interventions. l) Refer patients on to the GPs and Practice Nurses in the surgery, when problems are identified which are outside the remit of a Mental Health Practitioner in Primary Care, recognising the role of other colleagues within the surgery. m) Signpost referrals to Medical Secretaries when clinically indicated for secondary care input. n) Demonstrate ability to work as a member of a practice team and wider team working. o) Contribute towards the development of operational policy and guidelines for own work area, in collaboration with colleagues from the practice, ICB, PCN. p) In conjunction with the Operational Manager, ensure policies and guidance are cascaded to practices and applied across the work area. q) Support and improve the performance management function of the service in general practice within clinical supervision. r) Identify gaps in service provision. Make recommendations for service development to the provider and the ICB. Support any redesign and inform any implementation of approved initiatives. s) Support the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of the Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner service to meet local need and targets. t) Maintenance of equipment and stock relating to patient care. Key Skills and Behaviours Essential a) Strong communication skills both via telephone, face to face and electronically (as well as the ability to adapt communication style to meet the needs of an individual as identified). b) To maintain a high level of data entry accuracy and clarity. c) Excellent listening skills with the ability to keep individuals motivated and focused. d) Managing clear and consistent boundaries. e) Excellent time management skills ability to prioritise, plan and deliver work items in line with set expectations. f) Ability to work cohesively as part of a wider supportive team whilst maintaining the confidence to work independently on agreed workflow items within remit. g) Ability to remain calm and professional at all times. h) Confidence to escalate or refer workflow where needed and identify risk. i) Confidently communicate at all levels to include Medical Professionals, Commissioners and Governing bodies (where appropriate). j) Build working relationships quickly and effectively within our Member Practices and external stakeholders instilling confidence and maintain existing relationships. k) Always maintain strict confidentiality and awareness of GDPR/ data sharing throughout working practices. l) To provide cover for members of the team during periods of sickness and annual leave. m) To attend Training courses and training days as requested. n) To complete mandatory training in line with providers training policy.