Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and modernising Mental Health services in Hywel Dda University Health Board based in Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli and Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest.
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 will be 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.
Information, advice and guidance will also be provided for families and carers and there will be a professional telephone line for our partner agencies such as GP's, Welsh Ambulance, Local Authority, Police and the third sector.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner you will provide an all-age service offering high quality telephone triage and assessment to individuals presenting with existing mental illness, in mental distress or acute crisis, resulting in a safe and appropriate clinical decision.
The MH Practitioner will Clinical lead a shift with a varied team of staff including Well-being Practitioners, Health Care Support Workers and Peer Workers, acting as a point of escalation and decision maker for clinical triage and risk.
You 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.
You will be an experienced Practitioner who can provide aid to the development of the team 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 you will need to be flexible in your working patterns to meet the service need, which will include out of hours and weekend working.
Ongoing support and professional development will be provided alongside personal development and comprehensive induction and training package.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service userexperiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interview will be held on 03/07/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Professional qualification and registration- RMN, CQSW/Dip, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, (BPS) Qualification in Counselling Psychology
- Post-basic education in the area of practice to postgraduate diploma level
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Wide range of experience within a service-related setting
- Experience of high-quality clinical triage using, knowledge, skills, critical thinking and professional judgement
- Sound knowledge of clinical/service issues within area of practice
- Knowledge and application of safeguarding policies and procedures for children and adults
Desirable
- Demonstrates research and audit experience
- Leadership experience
- Knowledge and application of care coordination
Language skills
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel across the health board footprint in a timely manner
- Flexible working in line with service need over 24 hours 7 days a week
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Prince Philip Hospital / Withybush General Hospital
Llanelli / Haverfordwest
SA14 8QF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.