Senior Practitioner – Mental Health Liaison Team (BANK)

Job overview

The Band 7 Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) Bank Practitioner provides specialist mental health assessment, risk management and intervention for patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Medical Unit (AMU). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will deliver high-quality, patient-centered mental health care to individuals experiencing acute mental illness, self-harm, suicidal ideation, behavioural disturbance, substance misuse, dementia, delirium and complex psychosocial crises.

As a senior clinician within the Mental Health Liaison Team, the post holder will provide expert mental health assessment, formulation and care planning for patients with complex presentations. They will work collaboratively with acute hospital colleagues and external partners to ensure patients receive timely assessment, appropriate treatment and onward referral to the most suitable services.

The post holder will support the day-to-day operational delivery of the liaison service during bank shifts, providing clinical leadership, advice and guidance to colleagues where required, whilst maintaining high standards of clinical practice, documentation and risk management.

The role requires a practitioner who can work autonomously within a fast-paced acute hospital environment, demonstrate sound clinical judgement and effectively manage competing priorities.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments for patients presenting to ED and AMU.
• Assess, formulate and manage risk relating to self-harm, suicide, mental illness, behavioural disturbance and vulnerability.
• Develop and implement appropriate care and risk management plans.
• Provide specialist advice and consultation to acute hospital staff regarding the assessment and management of patients with mental health needs.
• Support decision-making regarding admission, discharge and appropriate onward referral pathways.
• Liaise effectively with community mental health teams, crisis services, primary care, social care, safeguarding teams and other partner agencies.
• Facilitate safe and effective patient flow through the acute hospital by supporting timely assessment and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and documentation.
• Escalate concerns appropriately and contribute to maintaining patient safety and quality of care.
• Act as a senior clinician and role model, providing support and guidance to less experienced staff where required.
• Participate in clinical supervision, mandatory training and continuing professional development.
• Work in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Contribute positively to multidisciplinary team working and maintain effective working relationships across services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see document attached for a full overview of responsibilities, as well as 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.