Crisis Practitioner

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.

As part the Community Response Service within the whole system of Community Mental Health Services the post holder will work closely with all disciplines/agencies. The post holder will provide a service for individuals with complex mental health, physical and social care needs who present in crisis who may require additional home treatment/care intervention over a 24hr period, also providing a specialist mental health service to Emergency Departments and inpatients services within the General Hospital setting. The post holder is expected to provide specialist advice to multi
- disciplinary staff including consultant medical staff.

The service provides assessment and access to mental health inpatient beds over a 24hrs period throughout GG&C. This includes arranging hospital admission for a patient should this be required. We aim to provide care and treatment in the least restrictive manner possible supporting individuals in ways that bring mínimal disruption to their lives. We work to support the early discharge of individuals in hospital and are closely involved in discharge planning; this can include assessment whilst on pass and immediate follow up after discharge from acute Inpatient care.

The service further has a multi-agency referral system and this requires the post holder to liaise with other health, social care and external agencies to arrange psychiatric assessments for patients presenting in a mental health crisis. As a crisis practitioner you will deliver care and treatment to individuals referred to the Crisis Service, you will also liaise with and provide advice to carers. You will work closely with other disciplines and be expected to build good working relationships with Community Mental Health Teams and Inpatient Service providers. You will foster positive connections with other mental health network services including external partners and agencies. Due to the fast paced nature of crisis response work, you will be required to assist the Team Leader and senior staff in the rapid deployment of crisis resources in response to urgent service user need. You will have a responsibility to provide clinical leadership for more junior members of the team. Supervising the practice of, and demonstrating procedures to, students and unqualified staff is an important aspect of the role as is the mentoring of students undergoing basic training. You will actively participate in service planning, development and evaluation. You will be able to prioritise your own workload and share responsibility for effective and efficient use of team resources. You will practice within legal and ethical frameworks in line with appropriate codes of professional conduct, mental health legislation and contractual obligations.

Minimum requirements
- Completion of training as a first level registered nurse and current registration with the NMC
- Experience of the mental health sector, preferably community.
- Evidence of a commitment to continued professional development
- Ability to work without direct supervision

A current driving licence is preferred

Five days over Seven - shift pattern includes evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Informal Contact: Hugh Turner, Nurse Team Lead, Tel No: 01475 558000