Advanced Practitioner Acute Referral Centre

Job overview

The Acute Referral Centre (ARC) operates 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It is the Trusts central point of contact for crisis referrals. All referrals are triaged in ARC to ensure robust gatekeeping. This in addition to key functions being undertaken within the centre including the overall booking process of acute beds, the Central Health Based Place of Safety (HBPoS), The Mental Health Urgent Treatment Center (MHUTC) and the NHS 111 Option 2 hub.

ARC works closely with the borough-based Home Treatment Teams, Assessment and Liaison services, community treatment teams, acute trusts, and the Police. The centre provides telephone advice and support for people in crisis whilst co-ordinating both admissions to and discharges from hospital.

Advanced Practitioners working within the Acute Referral Centre undertake triage assessments and when required face to face rapid assessments alongside London Ambulance and the Metropolitan Police. They can balance the clinical demands and supervisory responsibilities within the Acute Referral Centre. They form part of a team that manages beds and are expected to follow through the referral to a safe conclusion which means liaising with wards, community services and Home Treatment.

They are active members of the bed management coordination function for the Trust and as such get involved with the entire booking process for in-patient admissions.

Main duties of the job

The service acts as a key hub in the Urgent and Emergency Care pathway.

Consult and take a lead in the decision making of complex and/or high-risk cases demonstrating safe clinical decision-making and expert care, including assessment diagnostic skills and effective interventions including making certain that the patient gets the right response at the right time.

Demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. Work with the multi-professional team to meet the needs of the service users and provide clinical professional supervision and leadership to the clinical team working within the referral center.

Provide management support as delegated by the Clinical Services lead, including supervision, team training and service development initiatives. Organising the roster always ensuing safe staffing. Deputise for the Clinical Service Lead in their absence.

Conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments of adults (including those over 65 with appropriate mobility and capacity) as part of day-to-day clinical duties.

Work within professional scope and agreed protocols, supporting complex clinical decisions, risk assessment, care planning, and onward referrals or admissions.

This is a shift-based role of long days and nights to maintain safe 24/7 coverage. Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and de-escalation skills, working effectively in a high-pressure environment

The role is office based with expectation to work from the office site.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide specialist screening and triage at the point of referral, ensuring timely assessment of individuals presenting with moderate to severe mental health needs and crisis presentations.

Undertake comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, interpreting information holistically to formulate clinical recommendations and determine the most appropriate intervention, referral pathway, or discharge plan.

Develop and review crisis and contingency plans in partnership with service users and carers, incorporating risk assessment, positive risk-taking, and recovery-focused approaches.

Exercise autonomous clinical decision-making regarding discharge, onward referral, signposting, and escalation to appropriate primary, secondary, and specialist services.

Act as a senior clinician within the team, providing expert advice, clinical leadership, senior review, and support for complex, high-risk, or challenging cases, including face-to-face assessments when required across all boroughs.

Ensure all assessments and interventions are delivered in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, safeguarding requirements, and relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act.

Support effective patient flow across the acute care pathway by making timely decisions regarding treatment, Home Treatment Team referrals, admission avoidance, and onward care.

Assist the team in prioritising workload and resources on a shift-by-shift basis, responding flexibly to urgent and emergency presentations.

Assess and escalate physical health concerns and long-term conditions, facilitating referral to appropriate health services in line with local and national guidance.

Maintain up-to-date clinical, pharmacological, and professional knowledge, applying evidence-based practice and critical appraisal skills to clinical decision-making.

Liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including CMHTs, GPs, acute hospitals, social services, police, ambulance services, and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure coordinated care and effective risk management.

Coordinate patient pathways and flow through emergency and urgent care settings, promoting timely access to appropriate services.

Demonstrate advanced decision-making, problem-solving, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership skills within a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.

Participate in the supervision, teaching, training, and development of staff within the Acute Referral Centre (ARC).

Maintain confidentiality and information governance standards, ensuring information is shared appropriately on a need-to-know basis.

Demonstrate high levels of professionalism, emotional intelligence, leadership, self-awareness, empathy, and compassionate communication in all interactions.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.