Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

Job summary

Hours Per Week

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Band 6Practitioner (RMN, OT, Social worker) into the Mental Health Liaison Team.

The Mental Health Liaison Team provides assessment andintervention to service users within the general hospital setting includingA&E. We cover both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield RoyalInfirmary.

We are an all-age, 24/7 service therefore it isessential that candidates are able to work shifts including nights, weekendsand bank holidays.

You will be expected to complete skilled comprehensivemental health assessments of individuals and develop and formulate appropriateplans for discharge and further care.

The role of the Mental Health Liaison Practitioner isdynamic and we are looking for someone who is adaptable and able to work wellunder pressure within a busy environment.

There is an expectation that you will be able to workautonomously as well as part of the wider MDT.

Candidates should possess excellent communication skillsand have prior experience in risk assessment.

You will be working within a well-established team thathas an ongoing commitment to providing high quality patient care. We are alsocommitted to the ongoing professional development of staff and you will haveaccess to regular supervision and opportunities for further learning.

Informal enquires are welcome.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for completing biopsychosocial assessments ofservice users who are presenting with a mental health need within the generalhospital.

This may be in A&E or on an inpatient ward. You will be expectedto complete an accurate and detailed risk assessment and formulate a plan fordischarge or further intervention. This will all then be documented on theappropriate systems.

You will provide regular clinical advice, support and guidance to thestaff within the acute hospital on the management of patients with mentalhealth needs.

You will regularly attend and contribute to MDT meetings.

You will regularly support students within the team and act as practicesupervisor/assessor.

You will contribute to a high standard of clinical care being delivered,ensuring that we are compliant with our response times.

You will liaise regularly with other agencies regarding patient care andoutcomes. This includes services within the trust and also externalagencies.

You will have access to regular supervision and further learning anddevelopment opportunities.

We strongly discourageAI technology applicationsand we will conduct a thorough screening process before selectingcandidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance yourapplication, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

All employees of the Trust are stronglyencouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as part of the MHLT to provide a psychiatricliaison service into Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT) sites,covering both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Theywill provide skilled assessment, support, advice and guidance for service userswithin CHFT who are presenting with a mental health concern.

They will workshifts as part of the 24 hour staff rota in order to ensure the service isaccessible at all times and that referrals are received and responded to withinthe commissioned response times.

Thisjob description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The post holder will be required to undertakeother duties as required with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with thepost holder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

Completing robust biopsychosocialmental health assessments with service users and formulating a safe andappropriate plan for discharge or further intervention and follow up.

Completing anddocumenting robust risk assessments in accordance with Trust/Organisationalprotocols.

Ensuring that serviceusers are actively involved in the planning of their care.

Ensuring involvement offamilies and carers.

Working collaborativelywith other professional groups and partnership organisations (Police, CitizensAdvice, Benefits Agencies, Employment and Housing Associations, EducationAuthorities etc).

Maintaining a continuing knowledge of current evidence based practice.

Maintaining relevant professional body registration and ensure adherence to statutory codes of practice.

To contribute to ongoing service evaluation and development of the team.

Recognising andrespecting the cultural and spiritual needs of others.

To regularly engage in clinical supervision and professional development review processes.

Maintaining records inline with professional standards and Trust Protocols.

Maintainingconfidentiality of information regarding service users and their families andfriends at all times.

Providing professional advice and guidance to colleagues within the acute trust around the management of individuals who are presenting with a mental health concern.

To be involved in regular clinical team meetings and MDT care plan reviews in order to develop and implement individual care pathways.

Involvement in the induction and orientation of students and new staff members.

Being aware of and adhereto all Trust Policies and Procedures, in particular the Trusts Code ofConduct for staff.

Responsible for their own individual day to day performance whilst on duty.

To assist the Team Manager in monitoring and evaluating service provision.

To act as a professional role model at all times.

Contribute to providing apositive learning environment for students who are with the team.

Acting as a practiceplacement supervisor/assessor as appropriate.

Being responsible for ownpersonal development agreed with the Line Manager.

To regularly attend and contribute towards team meetings.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

Reliability, enthusiasm, motivated, flexible, resourceful, adaptable. Excellent communication skills. Good team worker.

Desirable

A current driving licence and access to a car.

Qualifications

Essential

Registered RMN, Social worker or OT.

Experience

Essential

Significant experience at Band 5 equivalent or above. Current or recent experience of working with service users in crisis. Experience of working with individuals with complex mental health needs.

Desirable

Experience of working within a liaison service. Experience of working with older adults. Experience of working with under 18 year olds.

Training

Essential

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

Risk Management. Crisis intervention skills.

Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Skilled in therapeutic assessment related to risk and risk management. High degree of understanding in respect of modern mental health issues and developments. Fully conversant with local, national and trust wide polices, procedures and protocols. Fully conversant with the MHA 1983 and the MCA 2005. Ability to work effectively under time constraints and manage conflicting demands. Knowledge of medications and medication management in respect of modern therapeutic care. Formulation of complex care plans. Multi-disciplinary working, working within a team and ability to work independently.

Desirable

Knowledge of interventions specifically related to the care of older adults.

Physical Attributes

Essential

Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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