South Doc Services (SDS) is a non-profit making GP co-operative based in South Birmingham. We have been successful in providing primary, community and secondary care based services since 1996.
The Mental Health Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will deliver high-quality, patient-centred mental health assessment, triage, brief therapeutic and biopsychological interventions and care navigation within a GP practice setting. Working autonomously within their scope of practice, the post holder will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), providing specialist mental health support to patients presenting with a wide range of mental health needs.
This will be a full time, permanent role with a 37.5 hours per week Monday - Friday contract arrangement. The job location is at West Heath Surgery, 194 - 196 West Heath Road, Birmingham, B31 3HB. Pay / Salary is dependent on experience level.
The post is designed to improve timely access to mental health services within primary care through comprehensive assessment, clinical risk management, care planning, signposting and referral to appropriate statutory, community and voluntary sector services. The post holder will work collaboratively with the wider primary care team and external partner organisations to ensure patients receive coordinated, holistic and person-centred care.
The ACP will provide both face-to-face and virtual consultations, delivering evidence-based assessment and intervention across the practice population. Experience in assessing and managing the mental health needs of both adults and children is desirable.
An Independent Prescribing qualification is desirable but not essential. Where held, the post holder will be expected to prescribe safely and effectively within their professional scope of practice, in accordance with national guidance, local policies and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical Practice
- Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments for patients presenting with mild, moderate and complex mental health conditions. This may include patients who are not suitable for NHS Talking Therapies.
- Deliver autonomous mental health triage within the GP practice, including same-day triage.
- Assess clinical risk including suicide, self-harm, safeguarding and vulnerability.
- Develop person-centred management and safety plans.
- Deliver brief therapeutic or biopsychological interventions and counselling where appropriate within the scope of practice.
- Provide advice, education and self-management support to patients and carers.
- Signpost and refer appropriately to secondary care, community mental health teams, crisis services, social prescribing, talking therapies and voluntary organisations.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records using practice clinical systems.
- Escalate patients appropriately where urgent psychiatric assessment is required.
Care Coordination
- Work collaboratively with GPs, Practice Nurses, Social Prescribers, Pharmacists, First Contact Practitioners and wider practice staff.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
- Coordinate care for patients with complex mental health needs.
- Support seamless transitions between primary, community and secondary care services.
- Advocate for patients requiring access to specialist mental health services.
Communication
- Build therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
- Communicate sensitive and complex information compassionately.
- Liaise effectively with external agencies including Community Mental Health Teams, CAMHS, safeguarding teams, social care and voluntary organisations.
Safeguarding
- Identify safeguarding concerns affecting adults and children.
- Follow local safeguarding procedures.
- Participate in safeguarding supervision where required.
Quality Improvement
- Contribute to service development and transformation within Primary Care.
- Participate in clinical audit, governance and quality improvement initiatives.
- Support evaluation of patient outcomes and service effectiveness.
Professional Practice
- Maintain professional registration.
- Work within professional code of conduct and ACP framework.
- Maintain continuing professional development.
- Participate in clinical supervision and appraisal.
- Maintain mandatory training requirements.
Working Relationships
The post holder will work closely with:
- General Practitioners
- Practice Nurses
- Physician Associates
- Clinical Pharmacists
- Social Prescribers
- First Contact Practitioners
- Community Mental Health Teams
- Talking Therapies
- CAMHS
- Crisis Resolution Teams
- Social Care
- Voluntary and Third Sector Organisations
- PCN Clinical Leads
Please note we may choose to close this vacancy and assess applications earlier than the stated deadline.
Work Location: In person
