Job summaryThis 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 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.
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.
Main duties of the jobThe 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.
About usSouth 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.
DetailsDate posted: 27 August 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Specialist
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: A3716-26-0013
Job locations: West Heath Medical Centre, 194-196 West Heath Road, Northfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, B31 3HB, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesClinical 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 and 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 RelationshipsThe 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
Person SpecificationKnowledgeEssential- Knowledge of common mental health disorders
- Knowledge of severe and enduring mental illness
- Understanding of safeguarding legislation
- Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act
- Understanding of risk assessment and crisis management
- Knowledge of local mental health pathways
- Understanding of integrated care models
Desirable- Knowledge of BSOL mental health pathways
- Awareness of community and voluntary sector services across Birmingham and Solihull
ValuesEssential- Delivering safe, effective, high-quality care
- Respect and dignity for all patients
- Collaborative multidisciplinary working
- Continuous quality improvement
- Evidence-based practice
- Health promotion and prevention
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
Personal QualitiesEssential- Compassionate and patient centred
- Professional and accountable
- Flexible and adaptable
- Calm under pressure
- Excellent team player
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Commitment to lifelong learning
ExperienceEssential- Experience undertaking autonomous mental health assessments
- Experience of managing clinical risk
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Experience of referral and care navigation across health and social care services
- Experience maintaining accurate electronic clinical records
Desirable- Minimum two years' post-registration experience working within mental health services
- Experience working within GP practices or Primary Care Networks
- Experience assessing both adult and child/adolescent mental health presentations
- Experience providing brief counselling or biopsychologically informed interventions
- Experience delivering virtual consultations
Other RequirementsEssential- Ability to travel across GP practices within the PCN locality if required
- Flexibility to meet service needs
- Enhanced DBS clearance
QualificationsEssential- Registered healthcare professional (NMC, HCPC or equivalent professional registration)
- Master's level qualification or equivalent experience in Advanced Clinical Practice
- Evidence of advanced mental health assessment skills
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development
- Safeguarding Level 3 Adults and Children
Desirable- Independent Prescribing qualification (desirable but not essential depending on profession)
- Advanced Clinical Practice qualification meeting national ACP framework
- Counselling or psychological intervention qualification
SkillsEssential- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Advanced clinical assessment skills
- Ability to work autonomously
- Excellent risk assessment and decision-making abilities
- Ability to prioritise competing clinical demands
- Effective documentation skills
- Competent IT skills including electronic patient record systems
- Ability to deliver both face-to-face and virtual consultations
Desirable- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Counselling skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy informed practice
- Training or mentoring experience
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
