Mental Health Liaison Nurse

Job overview

• The aim of the service is to support and assess those attending the acute hospitals who are experiencing a range of mental health problems, have self-harmed or are actively suicidal or are in a mental health crisis
• The post holder will provide specialist mental health assessments and deliver time-limited liaison follow-up support for acute hospital inpatients presenting with complex and enduring mental health needs. The role also includes providing specialist consultation, advice, and guidance to multidisciplinary colleagues on clinical issues in mental health care.
• The post holder will contribute to the continued development and improvement of the Mental Health Liaison Service within Emergency Departments and inpatient wards across the acute hospital settings.
• The service operates in line with the national ‘Core 24’ model, adhering to NICE guidance for the assessment and management of individuals presenting to acute hospitals, as well as the Liaison Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine Policy Implementation Guidance.
• To contribute to Mental Health provision and education programmes within the acute hospitals.

Main duties of the job

• Provide evidence-based mental health and risk assessments for individuals presenting to the acute hospital with mental health difficulties, including those who have self-harmed, are experiencing suicidal ideation, or are in acute mental health crisis.
• Respond promptly and effectively to referrals from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit, and inpatient wards/departments across the identified acute Trust sites, ensuring assessments and interventions are completed within agreed service response times.
• Undertake independent comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, formulating person-centred plans and treatment recommendations for patients requiring ongoing support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health and risk assessments for individuals presenting with acute mental health needs, including those who have self-harmed or are experiencing psychological distress, across the acute hospitals.
• Provide timely and effective responses to referrals received from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Units, and inpatient wards/departments across the acute hospitals, ensuring interventions are delivered within agreed service response times.
• Undertake independent comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, formulating person-centred care and risk management plans for individuals requiring ongoing support from local mental health services. This includes liaison and referral to services such as Talking Therapies, the Primary Care Mental Health Team, the Community Mental Health Team, Early Intervention Services, Home Treatment Teams, and Inpatient mental health services.
• Work collaboratively with patients, carers, families, and multidisciplinary professionals across services to ensure coordinated care planning and seamless access to appropriate intervention, including voluntary sector and community-based support agencies.
• Use advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills to identify patient needs at the earliest opportunity, minimising duplication of assessments and reducing unnecessary delays in accessing appropriate care and treatment pathways.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation using the Black Country Healthcare electronic patient record system and the relevant acute hospital patient record systems.
• Provide specialist advice, support, and education to patients, carers, and acute hospital colleagues regarding the assessment and management of mental health presentations, including the communication of sensitive and complex information in a compassionate and professional manner.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the relationship between physical and mental health, recognising and responding appropriately to physical symptoms or underlying medical conditions that may influence a patient’s mental health presentation and overall care needs.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Trust-wide Liaison Mental Health Services, promoting safe, effective, and recovery-focused care in line with Trust objectives, NICE guidance, and the national Core 24 model.

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.