Mental Heath Liaison Practitioner

The Older People’s Mental Health Liaison Service is a multi-disciplinary service for older people currently operating from both the A&E Dept at Airedale General Hospital and Lynfield Mount Hospital. Post holders will have opportunity to support patients in acute Trust ward areas based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, St Luke’s Hospital, Westbourne Green, Westwood Park and Airedale General Hospital. Post holders will be responsible for liaison with relevant professionals, assessment, planning and interventions for older people with mental health needs cared for in a General Hospital setting or transitioning between the DAU and Care Home settings. Post holders will offer advice on the best care of older people with mental health problems to ward teams within the Acute Trust and / or Care Home staff, identify needs and sign post service users for further assessment if required to other services. Post holders will be able to work constructively as part of a team with a flexible approach, linking in with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Acute Liaison, Older People’s Community Mental Health Teams, Care Home Liaison and mental health in-patient wards in accordance with the objectives of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and team operational policies. Post holders will promote clinical excellence and utilise skills in developing training within the acute hospital setting. - To act as a resource clinician offering support and clinical advice. - Ensure implementation of all Trust Policies and Procedures as required - Clinical Care/Service Deliver - To receive and accept referrals for the liaison service and initiate, lead and co-ordinate their assessment, making referrals to other professionals as required - To act as a resource within acute hospital Trust and care home settings in matters relating to the care and treatment of older people presenting with mental health problems - To work co-operatively and actively with clients and carers encouraging participation in care planning and delivery - Contribute to the planning, monitoring and control of resources. - Ensure agreed standards of care are achieved - Application of the Mental Health Act (1983) - Maintain knowledge of and act in accordance with Directorate policies and procedures - To ensure equality of opportunity and fair access for all service users and carers using the service - To take a lead role to ensure that issues of clinical governance, research, audit and good practice are addressed within the service - To develop an effective communication network through liaison and collaboration with other disciplines, services and agencies to ensure continuity of patient care - Ensure care delivery is in accordance with relevant professional guidance and current legislation - To assess complex issues within interdisciplinary framework **Everything we do is underpinned by our core values**: - We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference We Listen - We understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including: Increase mileage rates for > 3500 A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities Plus many more. We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities. Whilst reporting to the Acute Liaison Psychiatry Service team leader, post holders will be capable of making clinical decisions affecting the mental health care of clients based on their own assessments. Please read the attached Job description and person specification for further details about this role.