Senior Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner

Job overview

We are seeking to recruit an experienced and motivated individual to join our well established Hounslow Liaison Psychiatry Service. The role of the senior practitioner comprises a diverse range of clinical work alongside a strong leadership and managerial element. Critical thinking and motivation for innovation and development are essential, as you will be involved in service user care and experience, team development and service improvement. The shift pattern comprises of long days and nights, as well as of 2-3 short shifts per month for completion of the managerial duties.

HLPS is a ‘Core 24’ liaison psychiatry service providing care to patients in West Middlesex University Hospital, covering the emergency department (ED) and all inpatient wards. Our top aim is to provide and encourage integrated psychiatric and medical care for patients, through advocating for patients; ensuring that mental disorder is not a barrier to receiving high quality care in the hospital, and that care is delivered in the least restrictive manner possible. Our team has been accredited since 2018 with the Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network (PLAN).

We are commissioned to see all patients aged 16 and above. There is no separate CAMHS, older adults or dementia service although HLPS does have practitioners with specialist expertise in CAMHS and older adult psychiatry.

Main duties of the job

You will represent psychiatric services within the general hospital environment, and provide specialist support to referring clinicians and clinical teams in the acute trust, assisting them in decision making in difficult and complex cases.

You will undertake biopsychosocial assessments and make clear autonomous decisions based on an analysis of complex presenting problems.

You will promote carer/family involvement where required and will liaise with colleagues from other areas of health and social care to coordinate and facilitate safe discharge plans.

You will offer formal and informal training to your peers and acute trust colleagues to enhance patient care. You will provide clinical and managerial supervision for junior colleagues and peers.

You will be encouraged to share your views and ideas to improve service delivery.

You will take responsibility for projects associated with the provision of the Liaison Psychiatric Service. This will include planning, implementing, reviewing and revising these projects as necessary, especially in relation to the service development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.