Mental Health Liaison Nurse

Job overview

As part of the East Sussex Urgent Care Pathway The Haven & Liaison MH team in Hastings to provide an emergency mental health response service that will support people experiencing a mental health crisis that requires an immediate response. The post Holder with have the opportunity to work within the The Haven & Conquest Hospital with the Mental Health Liaison Team  providing them with a wide and diverse range of adaptable skills they can apply across the whole Urgent Care Pathway.

The service operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and the post holder will be expected to do shift work across the services.

This service will support diversion from A&E for the people who require contact and or assessment with a mental health worker but who are not in need of medical attention. Assessment, advice and support to those who are suffering with mental health issues but are physically unwell in the general hospital. Providing advice and support throughout their stay and appropriate follow up care. Assessment following referral to Crisis team from primary care services and people who require urgent assessment.

If you are a highly skilled mental health practitioner, able to work flexibly across Urgent Care Services to meet service demands and the needs of the patient and have proven experience of working on your own initiative, assessing people with mental health problems and complex needs including comprehensive risk assessment and risk management then we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

To offer a comprehensive assessment for people referred by the A&E Department of the Conquest Hospital in line with hospital protocols. To take referrals from the medical members of the Psychiatric Liaison team for short term intervention and care for inpatients in the Conquest Hospital who have been diagnosed with a mental health problem.

To act as care coordinator under the Care Programme Approach for patients on the caseload and to ensure discharge is fully planned. This may involve some home visits. Ensure documentation is provided in a timely and effective manner to ensure a seamless service is being provided and to comply with good practice Trust guidelines.

To act as an effective member of the Psychiatric Liaison Team, contributing to the development of good practice and the strategic development of the same. Liaise with internal and external contacts as required.

To manage a co-morbid outpatient caseload in line with Trust protocols. The caseload is managed through the existing outpatient clinic framework and is base at The Conquest Hospital.

To act as a link between The Conquest Hospital, including A&E Department, and the Community Mental Health Teams providing information and advice for staff.

To provide an educational and advice-giving role for staff within the Conquest Hospital.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people.

It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role. Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.