Operational Manager for PCN Mental Health Practitioners

A rare opportunity to Operationally Lead the development and integration of the ARRS Mental Health Practitioner pathway based within Primary Care across Derby and Derbyshire.

This post is advertised as a secondment/fixed term position until the end of March 2027 (authorisation from your current line manager for secondments prior to applying is essential).

Do you want to work in a team that supports your development and an organisation that puts its people at the forefront of its values?

You will join us at an exciting time as we continue to develop and build on the aims and objectives of The Community Mental Health Framework and NHS Long Term Plan:

• Make it easier for everyone to get the right support, easily, in their local community.
• Make sure different professionals and organisations work closely together to provide more seamless support, avoiding repetition.
• Improve the experience for people to access support and to live the life they want to live.

You will support the wider operational management of the Primary Care Networks (PCN) Mental Health Practitioners who work across PCNs in the Derbyshire footprint, where you will assume management assurance responsibility alongside the wider clinical and operational leadership team, and key stakeholders.

Applicant must be able to manage own diary and prioritise workload. Must also have experience and confidence in negotiation between multiple stakeholders.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will manage all DHCFT operational aspects of the Mental Health Practitioners within each of the PCNs across Derbyshire.

To be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the PCNs, ensuring smooth pathways for service users between primary and secondary services.

The post holder will be well supported by the DHCFT Area Service Manager and ARRS Strategic Lead, Operational Management Peers, Clinical Leads and the wider Programme Team.

The job may be subject to review as part of your appraisal and service development.

About us

Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of 'making a positive difference in people's lives'.

CQC rated us as 'GOOD' overall, commenting on how our colleagues "treated patients with compassion and kindness" and "felt positive and proud about working for the trust."

Benefits include:

• Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
• 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years & 33 days after 10 years' service
• Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
• Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
• Health service discounts and online benefits
• Incremental pay progression
• Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
• Access to our LGBTI+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
• Health and wellbeing opportunities
• Structured learning and development opportunities

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

The post holder will manage all operational aspects of the PCN Mental Health Practitioners. This will include the following:

• Recruitment and selection of staff, induction, training, supervision and appraisals, sickness and other absence, contribute to disciplinary and grievance processes, personal and career development. They will liaise with the nominated PCN Line Manager for the Mental Health Practitioners to have oversight of their workload, ensuring this is manageable and working together to look at reasonable adjustments if there are any issues.
• To provide direct leadership for the PCN Mental Health Practitioners.
• To act as a senior member of the service area.
• Undertake delegated responsibilities, ensuring systems are in place to effectively manage resources.
• Work in conjunction with PCN Mobilisation Manager, Area Service Manager to challenge existing practice and initiate improvement in services to meet the needs of patients and achieve corporate and national objectives.
• Ensure clarity of process, transparency and a consistent message when dealing with external agencies.
• Ensure complaints are dealt with in accordance with the complaints procedure and action is taken to reduce likelihood of reoccurrence.
• Ensure effective risk assessment and risk management systems are in place within the service area.
• Ensure the service of the Mental Health Practitioners is safe, caring, responsive, effective and well led.
• Ensure the implementation and adherence to Trust safety policies and procedures for the area within your remit.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed within the defined service area.
• Is required to review all risk assessments periodically, particularly when staffing and/or equipment changes are required.
• Ensure the implementation and understanding of the Care Programme Approach and Care Act.
• The post holder will ensure Service user and carer/family involvement; co-production and choice are embedded into practice and service development, planning, monitoring and review.
• Ensure good practice is maintained, and will actively and constructively challenge poor practice, progressing any capability or disciplinary issues as required.
• Ensure that all students/trainees receive appropriate supervision, support and experience during their placement. Review and respond to feedback as required.
• Ensure staff recruitment is done in a fair inclusive manner.
• To provide clinical leadership in complex situations that require diplomacy, negotiation skills, and sound clinical judgement and to include assessment of risk, risk mitigation and a holistic assessment of needs.
• To provide Management Supervision, support with Professional Development sessions and undertake joint appraisals.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse/Dip COT or equivalent professional qualification
• Certificate in Management

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current legislation/national trends and policies in mental health and social care
• Ability to work across different agencies and facilitate successful interagency working

Experience

• Substantial experience of working as a Band 6 or equivalent in a mental health community setting
• Experience of supervising junior staff and students

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Previous experience of report writing and presentations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working.