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Primary care graduate mental health worker

Alternative titles for this job include Psychological wellbeing practitioner

Primary care graduate mental health workers give treatment and support to people with mental health problems.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£41,250 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become a primary care graduate mental health worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree in psychology or health and social care, and then apply for a place on a postgraduate training course.

After your degree, you'll be employed in the health service and complete Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training, approved by the British Psychological Society.

This 12-month course is made up of 1 day of academic study and 4 days of supervised practice each week.

Entry requirements

  • 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More information

Volunteering and experience

You'll usually need paid or voluntary experience of working with people who have mental health issues or people with disabilities. You can contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust about work experience opportunities.

Direct application

You can apply directly if you've got relevant skills and knowledge. Employers will look for:

  • qualifications in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or other psychological therapy
  • experience and training in cognitive behavioural therapy

You'll complete an Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training course while you work.

More information

Career tips

Experience of working with people with mental health problems will be helpful.

Further information

You can find out more about working in primary mental health care from Health Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • designing and running group therapy sessions
  • promoting good mental health in the community
  • signposting people to relevant services
  • keeping accurate and up-to-date patient care records
  • supporting and training other healthcare professionals
  • developing and setting up new mental health support services

Working environment

You could work at a health centre, at a client's home or at a GP practice.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could train as a high intensity therapist, working with people with complex mental health needs.
 
You could also lead a team or develop new mental health services. 

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a primary care graduate mental health worker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Level 3 Health and Social Care

  • Provider: Eastleigh College
  • Start date: 09 September 2019
  • Location: Eastleigh

Access to Health Professions (Nursing)

  • Provider: Nelson and Colne College
  • Start date: 01 September 2019
  • Location: Nelson
Find courses near you

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