Mental Health Liaison Assessor

Job overview

The post holder will support the Team Leader in the development and implementation of MHLT providing a high-quality service to meet the needs of people in acute phases of mental illness, and their carers. To ensure the continued efficient and effective running of the team, providing leadership and supervision within the staff group as appropriate

The post holder will undertake rapid assessments of people with mental health problems in acute crisis and where appropriate as an alternative to in-patient admission. Also to provide routine and urgent Mental Health Services in the District General Hospital The service will be available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

The post holder will be responsible for helping to maintain team systems and processes for effective team and service provision, including outcome measures and audit under the direction of the Team Leader

Main duties of the job

To support the Team Leader\MHLT Manager in maintaining effective inter- team and inter-agency communication

To provide effective liaison/communication relating to referral and expedition and to support the early identification of mental health issues for patients using the hospital A&E or inpatient services

Maintain effective joint working with Crisis teams, Sector ACMHs, Older People’s

Community, and other community – based teams according to local circumstances

Ensure that all relevant information regarding client care is communicated to the appropriate person’s team, bringing to the Team Leader’s attention issues of concern regarding practice or workload

Ensure effective communications with relatives, visitors, voluntary organisations and the general public, thus encouraging participation in Care delivery. To respond sensitively, to the needs of relatives and carers, often in a highly emotive setting

To liaise with other professionals in relation to client care, actively participating in care planning and review meetings, and attending case conferences as appropriate.

Ensure client’s files are maintained in both manual (where practiced) and electronic. This includes both the general hospital and mental health trusts systems.

Documentation of interventions, liaisons etc should be recorded as soon as possible after the event, but in line with both HPFT policy and professional codes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:

All staff should comply with the Trust’s Open Culture, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, and Equality and Diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To support the Team Leader\MHLT Manager in maintaining effective inter- team and inter-agency communication
• To provide effective liaison/communication relating to referral and expedition and to support the early identification of mental health issues for patients using the hospital A&E or inpatient services
• Maintain effective joint working with Crisis teams, Sector ACMHs, Older People’s
• Ensure that all relevant information regarding client care is communicated to the appropriate person’s team, bringing to the Team Leader’s attention issues of concern regarding practice or workload
• Ensure effective communications with relatives, visitors, voluntary organisations and the general public, thus encouraging participation in Care delivery. To respond sensitively, to the needs of relatives and carers, often in a highly emotive setting
• To liaise with other professionals in relation to client care, actively participating in care planning and review meetings, and attending case conferences as appropriate.
• To advise others as to the role and practices of the MHLT and deliver basic Mental Health training to non mental health professionals
• To maintain positive working relationships and clear communications with team members and other professionals
• Ensure client’s files are maintained in both manual (where practiced) and electronic. This includes both the general hospital and mental health trusts systems.
• To assess clients meeting defined referral criteria for mental health liaison service and local Operational Policies
• Carry out Risk Assessment and Management activities
• To plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for clients in crisis with acute mental health problems in the community, and to coordinate activities with other professionals and agencies.
• Allocate and re-allocate tasks or staff on a daily basis to meet organisational and workload requirements, and in response to urgent, unplanned client activity, to ensure that rapid response and assessment.
• To assist the Team Leader in the effective day to day management of the team, including, e.g., Duty Rota, time worked and annual leave, thus ensuring appropriate skill mix at all times.
• To stand in for the Team Leader as required
• To assist the MHLT Manager in the appointment, orientation and induction of new staff
• To be aware of and to comply with relevant mental health and work-related legislation at all times
• To support the co-ordination, liaison and integration of activities from other services or agencies in the provision of a CPA package
• Carry out service activities in line with the Liaison Team Operational Policy
• Support the provision of a flexible and responsive service.
• Support the team leader in the effective and timely management of complaints and Serious Adverse Events should they arise
• Document MHLT and work-related activities and write reports both electronically and by hand
• Use computerised information systems
• To ensure the effective monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects of prescribed medication as per Trust, NMC Policies and guidelines; ensure stock medication is maintained as per policy.
• The post holder will be expected to assess patients with a cognitive and/ or mental health problem who are inpatients of the acute district general hospital or have accessed the hospitals A&E .
• To remain updated on all relevant aspects of psychotropic medication regardless of professional background
• To maintain client records, care plans and other documentation in line with Trust, and NMC policies
• To attend training to meet individual professional development and general service needs, as identified through supervision with the Team Leader
• To comply at all times with the NMC (or relevant Professional Registration body

e.g. General Social Care Council) Code of Professional Conduct, and to maintain current registration

• To comply with Risk Management policy and practice
• Comply fully with Trust Policies and Procedures and the principles of Practice Governance

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.