ARRS Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

ARRS Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 29 January 2026

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Specialist Mental Health Nurse, to work in the Christchurch Primary Care Network which comprises of GP Practices based in Christchurch. The successful candidate will be an experienced RMN Mental Health Practitioner who has worked within a Primary Care and/or Community Mental Health Team setting.

This is an exciting role for those who are proactive and passionate about innovation and providing high-quality care to people who have been identified as in need of mental health support in a primary care setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career and skill set in a highly innovative and creative environment.

We are looking for someone with a NMP qualification or with the passion to complete this qualification.

This role will work collaboratively between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health Services as part of an Integrated Model of Care.

The intention is to focus services around local communities and local GP practices to help rebuild and reconnect healthcare teams across the communities they serve. This practitioner role will provide targeted care according to the needs of the population by supporting the PCN clinical strategy, including prescribing medication inline with your scope of practice and primary care guidance.

The practitioner will facilitate onward access to other secondary care-based services, third sector services and link in with existing support services via the Primary Care Network.

If you have the skills and qualities that meet the requirements for this post we would welcome your application.

At Dorset Health Care we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000‑strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over‑reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates' individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety.

If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset Health Care offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.

• Registered RMN, OT, Social Work or Psychologist qualification and registration to degree/diploma level plus masters degree level or equivalent experience.
• Membership of the relevant Professional Body
• Experience of teaching and assessing students and other members of staff
• Non-Medical Prescriber (if professionally appropriate)

• Experience at Registered Practitioner Band 6 level or above
• Evidence of risk management skills and experience.
• Experience of developing…