NHS 111 Clinician (Mental Health under 18s)

Job overview

This is a great opportunity to be part of Kent & Medway's NHS 111 crisis mental health line for children and young people. The UK is one of the first countries in the world to provide a 3 digit emergency line for mental health needs. Children who are in crisis or concerned family and loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional.

The right candidate will triage and guide callers with next steps such as facilitating access to Crisis Assessment Triage Team which provide urgent assessments, or to alternative mental health support teams or organisations that can offer the right support.

We invite applications from qualified professionals with Children's Mental Health experience.

You will be working in our Offices in Maidstone Studios (no hybrid working/home-working is available for this role). Working patterns are currently Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am to 6pm.

Main duties of the job

• Receive and handle NHS 111 calls professionally whilst demonstrating active listening skills, professional curiosity and risk management. Document calls accurately on NHS IT system.
• Advise and support junior NHS 111 call handlers with calls, reviewing risk concerns and support to direct their calls to the most appropriate services.
• Review and evaluate the immediate needs of the caller through the process of a clinical triage. Risk assess, and direct to clinically indicated services.
• Triage and risk assess referrals from Accident and Emergency departments and paediatric wards, referrals will either require onward referrals to the Crisis Assessment Triage team, Locality CYPMHs or signposting to Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises.
• Be able to remain professional and calm whilst managing difficult and challenging NHS 111 calls, using your clinical skills and experience to de-escalate and manage crisis situations.
• Demonstrate clinical expertise decerning what the clinical mental health need is, and who is best placed to offer the appropriate support.
• Make time considered action and safety plans that reflect the needs of the caller.
• Complete admin timely and accurately and inform other services when appropriate.
• Be able to effectively liaise and communicate between CYPMHS services and other networks.
• Able to adapt quickly to the needs of each call and manage expectations of callers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification.

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.