Senior Mental Health Practitioner

As a member of the Liaison Psychiatry Team, you will be assessing patients who are referred from the Emergency Department and ward areas within the acute general hospital. The specialist function of the team is to provide bio-psychosocial assessments for individuals aged 18 yrs. and above within the Derriford Hospital footprint, either attending via the Emergency Department or being an in-patient within the hospital. Patients seen may present with mental health difficulties e.g.

psychiatric crisis or an organic presentation such as a dementia /delirium. You will be able to make clear clinical decisions based on the analysis of, often complex, presenting problems. This can include being the decision maker in terms of discharge of patients experiencing mental health needs. You will be required at times to make clear autonomous decisions, based on analysis of complex presenting problems and clinical judgement.

You will be able to demonstrate a high level of communication skills in terms of use of verbal, electronic and written formats. You will be required to engage with patients who can be challenging and/or acutely distressed. You will have freedom to act as a lone worker. Some autonomous working is expected.

The operational hours of this service, is currently 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, with different shift patterns to cover the service delivery. Post holders will be expected to participate in the shift patterns over a 7 day period including weekends and bank holidays. Professional /Clinical Responsibilities In conjunction with other team members screen all referrals received by the team. Undertake holistic and comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments incorporating assessment of mental state of patients referred to the service.

Utilise a range of highly specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical setting in which they are seen. Conduct risk assessments on all patients presenting to the service in line with CPA policy. The post holder will have highly developed risk assessment skills to manage complex presentations and challenging behaviours. Advise ward nursing, medical and other professional staff on the management of patients and contribute to care planning to meet identified needs.

Evaluate effectiveness of care interventions with all disciplines of staff, adjusting care plans where necessary. Provide a consultation-liaison service to clinicians and clinical teams within the general hospital. This will include giving specialist advice on care, treatment and patients management issues. Work in collaboration with colleagues in the promotion of care delivery and strategic objectives and taking responsibility/lead for specific areas of working e.g.

liaison with police, drugs and alcohol, Safeguarding. Refer and signpost people to appropriate mental health services as required both within and outside of the organisations area. Work collaboratively with social care teams, discharge planning teams, onward care teams, community liaison teams and community mental health teams in devising appropriate discharge plans. Deliver care that is evidenced based and reflecting current best practice.

Be accountable for own practice in accordance with NMC Code of Professional practice or HCPC relevant codes of practice. Demonstrate sound understanding of the ethical and legal issues in caring for all older adults attending the hospital. This will include Mental Health Act (1983), Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (2005) issues as required. Raise awareness of mental health needs of older people in acute general hospital setting through discussion and collaborative working with staff of all levels and disciplines.

Raise awareness of the mental health needs of the general population within the acute general hospital. Provide support and advice for carers and families of people with mental health needs within the general hospital setting whenever possible. The Liaison Service is committed to the implementation of the Triangle of Care as fully as possible. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the development of the Liaison Psychiatry Service.

Communication Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families and carers. Work positively and sensitively with challenging and hostile behaviours to enable therapeutic and productive outcome. Have highly developed interpersonal skills, self-awareness and empathy to engage with others and provide an effective outcome. Demonstrate the ability to negotiate and problem solve in complex situations where agreement is required or communicate clear decision making and rationale when agreement cannot be reached.

Provide comprehensive information based on assessment to inform the care, treatment, or discharge planning process of patients within the acute general hospital. Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within the Liaison Psychiatry Team a