Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and modernising Mental Health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board.  The role of the Wellbeing Practitioner will be based in either Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest or Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli depending on the successful candidate's preference.

One of the central points of Hywel Dda’s ‘Transforming Mental Health Agenda’ is a ‘Single Point of Contact to improve access for everyone’.  This Single Point of Contact is a 24/7 telephone mental health triage assessment service delivered by skilled professional staff who will provide sensitive and specialist mental health screening to ensure individuals receive the appropriate outcome. The philosophy of the service is as follows:

• Compassion - When people ask for support for a crisis of their mental health they are listened to & supported.
• Prevention - Access to support should be as early as possible, ideally before the point of crisis.
• Equality - A crisis of mental health should be treated with the same urgency as physical health care.
• Resilience - Build responses on the strengths of the individual and provide information and options for self-care and self-referral. 

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply. 

Main duties of the job

As a Band 5 Wellbeing Practitioner you will provide an all-age service offering high quality telephone triage, coaching, advice, and assessment to individuals with existing mental illness, in mental distress or in acute crisis, resulting in a safe and appropriate clinical decision.  Information, advice and guidance will also be provided for families and carers.  There will be a professional telephone line for our partner agencies such as GP’s, Welsh Ambulance, Local Authority, Police and the third sector.

The Wellbeing Practitioner will work under the guidance of a Senior Practitioner on a shift basis covering 24 hours 7 days a week with a varied multi-disciplinary team. They will use a range of psychological interventions and skills to support individuals with mental health problems.

They will support the Clinical Lead in developing the new innovative Mental Health Single Point of Contact service which will be facilitated though the National 111 service.   They will be an experienced Practitioner who can provide individualised care in line with the organisations core values to deliver a safe and efficient service to those accessing it.

The service will operate 24 hours 7 days a week and the post holder will need to be flexible to meet the service need.  The role will require shift work and will include out of hours and weekend working.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire, Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).

Community facilities, including:

48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes.

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.