Job summary
The Acute Referral Centre (ARC) operates 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It is the Trusts central point of contact for crisis referrals. All referrals are triaged in ARC to ensure robust gatekeeping. ARC works closely with the borough-based Home Treatment Teams (HTT), Assessment and Liaison services, Community Treatment Teams, acute trusts, Crisis Assessment Team (CAT), London Ambulance Service (LAS) and the Police.
ARC Practitioners are experienced mental health professional (Nurse, OT or Social Worker) who will undertake triage assessments and when required face to face rapid assessments alongside London Ambulance and the Metropolitan Police.
The post holder will be able to demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. They will work with the multi-professional team to meet the needs of the service users and provide clinical professional supervision and leadership to the clinical team working within the referral centre.
The post holder must be able to work shift pattern which are, Early's, Lates, long days and nights.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
To triage, evaluate and identify the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions.
To ensure thorough risk assessment of all service users in line with policy standards
To be available to advise on the most complex and high-risk cases and be available to assess patients face to face where required.
Making the right decision including referring patients for Home Treatment Assessments as required.
To operate within the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act.
Assess and escalate the need to refer service users presenting with physical health conditions to borough Matrons to ensure safe admission with appropriate support required.
Communicates the patient's health status using appropriate terminology, format, and technology.
Use expert communication skills to provide accurate information to professionals, service users and their families and carers in a sensitive and professional manner.
Use and demonstrate sensitive communication strategies to ensure that service users are fully informed and consent to care/ treatment.
Act as an advocate for service users.
Responsible for clear handover of referrals to the wards.
Have a good understanding of the Trusted Assessor Framework.
Have a good understanding of the NHS Who Pays' Guidance, and COMPACT agreement.
About us
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ARC Practitioners are responsible for triaging all referrals and identfying the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions.
The post holder will be able to demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. They will work with the multi-professional team to meet the needs of the service users and provide clinical professional supervision and leadership to the clinical team working within the referral centre
Job description
Job responsibilities
ARC Practitioners are responsible for triaging all referrals and identfying the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions.
The post holder will be able to demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. They will work with the multi-professional team to meet the needs of the service users and provide clinical professional supervision and leadership to the clinical team working within the referral centre
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse and/Social Worker/ Occupational Health Therapist
- Mentorship qualification
Desirable
- Master's Degree or Post-Graduate study
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of research-based/reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice
- Experience in working in acute services, Home Treatment team, Bed management, or Psych Liaisonence.
- Experience as a preceptor / mentor
- Knowledge of relevant Professional and Clinical legislation
- To be knowledgeable around Safeguarding.
Desirable
- Monitoring of safe practice and take a lead on fact-finding investigations
- Experience of engaging / supporting clinical research projects
- Experience in working with students and knowledge of preceptorship.
Skills
Essential
- Triage and evaluate the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions
- Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations and advise on most complex high risk referrals.
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
- Good communication skills, provide accurate information to professionals, service users and their families and carers in a sensitive and professional manner.
Desirable
- Problem solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse and/Social Worker/ Occupational Health Therapist
- Mentorship qualification
Desirable
- Master's Degree or Post-Graduate study
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of research-based/reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice
- Experience in working in acute services, Home Treatment team, Bed management, or Psych Liaisonence.
- Experience as a preceptor / mentor
- Knowledge of relevant Professional and Clinical legislation
- To be knowledgeable around Safeguarding.
Desirable
- Monitoring of safe practice and take a lead on fact-finding investigations
- Experience of engaging / supporting clinical research projects
- Experience in working with students and knowledge of preceptorship.
Skills
Essential
- Triage and evaluate the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions
- Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations and advise on most complex high risk referrals.
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
- Good communication skills, provide accurate information to professionals, service users and their families and carers in a sensitive and professional manner.
Desirable
- Problem solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
