Urgent Care Practitioner - Mental Health Liaison
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.
Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
Are you looking for a role which brings a real challenge every day?
Hello, I'm Lisa and I am looking for Urgent Care Practitioners to join the Mental Health Liaison team who can bring knowledge and expertise to this dynamic area of mental health service provision.
You will be working at the interface between physical and psychological health and bring your knowledge and expertise to your general hospital colleagues. You will undertake specialist and timely mental health assessments and treatment for patients attending the General Hospital. We support patients with a wide range of problems, including self-harm, adjustment to illness and physical and psychological co-morbidities. As there is no entrance requirement for A&E and people’s perceptions of what constitutes a mental health emergency or crisis can vary, our team are referred people with all sorts of problems, including those people presenting to mental health services for the very first time.
This post offers the Trust's £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses & Practitioners, (pro rata and subject to terms and conditions; please see attached Protocol Document for full details).
Advert
I am looking for practitioners who are confident in the management of common mental health problems and who can bring their knowledge to their general hospital colleagues both informally and by undertaking teaching sessions. We have recently merged with our Older Persons Liaison Team so are now providing assessments and support to anyone over the age of 18.
You will need excellent communication skills and be able to foster excellent relationships with patients, carers, general hospital colleagues and other parts of the health and social care system.
This is a challenging but rewarding role, offering an exciting opportunity to nurses, occupational therapists or social workers who have strong assessment and therapeutic skills. You will need the ability to work autonomously whilst still contributing to the team as a whole. If you enjoy the challenge and stimulus of working under pressure and are able to remain calm in quickly changing circumstances, you will be well suited to this role.
Working for our organisation
As our Coastal Urgent Care Pathway moves towards CORE 24 standards, the post-holder will work flexible hours to support delivery of 24/7 services. It is essential that you are able to work on a shift pattern to include nights.
This role will support the work of and across Urgent Care Teams (Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team and The Haven) and as such the post holder will be expected to work across these teams as required. Our three services are integral to our Urgent Care Pathway and ensure people presenting to acute mental health services receive a compassionate, person- centred assessment and timely care plan whether this occurs in an acute setting such as The Haven; the General Hospital or in their home.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• Registered Nurse with current registration [RMN /LD]
• Registered Social Worker
• Registered Occupational Therapist
Knowledge / Experience Essential
• Knowledge of MHA (1983/2007).
• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act (2005), to include practical knowledge of FACE documentation, DOLS and Best Interest decisions
• Child and Adult safeguarding procedures
• Evidence of organising and prioritising their workload.
• Demonstrate ability to enhance care through evidence-based knowledge
• Demonstrate professional development relevant to the specific care group
SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.
If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.
In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.
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Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust does not charge any fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers.
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Further information relating to our vacancies and recruitment process can be found at - https://careers.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/.