Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide in-reach into the A&E department and general acute wards providing comprehensive assessments to plan and identify the mental health needs for patients referred to the service and to follow up.

To have an understanding physical health conditions and impact they can have on mental health.

To be able to engage and establish an empathic rapport with patients with a wide spectrum of mental health problems in difficult settings.

To possess the knowledge of the different components of mental health assessments within a defined model for a range of conditions including robust risk assessment and management of risk following assessment.

To be able to competently undertake a comprehensive mental health assessment.

To ensure the timely and comprehensive completion of specialist mental health assessments for individuals on the acute wards requiring funding to meet their future care needs e.g. continuing health care needs assessment, or specialist nursing assessment.

To have up to date knowledge of, and practice in a range of psychosocial and psychological interventions, both individual and group and be able to apply these with a varied patient group

To ensure that carers are informed and involved in care and where appropriate supported through the process according to the wishes of the patient.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• RMN, BA Social Work, BSc Occupational Therapy or equivalent.
• Successful completion of Preceptorship or equivalent

Desirable

• Professional degree
• Trained clinical supervisor
• Qualifications related to physical health related problems.

Experience

Essential

• Have a varied range of experience in relation to patient illness profiles and care settings.
• Possess a working experience of using a range of assessment tools for a range of mental health conditions
• Have the ability to liaise effectively with other disciplines, agencies and carers.
• Be able to evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Have experience of working within liaison services/assessment within A&E Department /General Hospital
• Have experience of working with older people with functional or cognitive impairment in either a community or inpatient setting
• Have experience of working with Children and Young People in either a community or inpatient setting
• Have experience of working across both inpatient and community settings
• Have experience / training in Psychosocial interventions

Knowledge

Essential

• Have knowledge of the background, range of services and evidence base of Liaison Psychiatry
• Have a sound knowledge of the social factors involved in the development of mental ill health and key features of relapse prevention
• Be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the co-morbidities on both mental and physical conditions
• Have a sound knowledge of Mental Health Act legislation
• Show motivation to learn and actively participate in training and learning of self and others

Desirable

• Have experience of assessing people with illness associated with later life, or will develop competence in this area
• Have a sound knowledge of Mental Capacity Act and DOLS
• Have a knowledge of the PLAN accreditation scheme

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Be competent in the area of risk assessment and formulation of risk management plans including supporting patients who self-harm or are in a neglectful state
• Be able to undertake Bio/psychosocial assessments across a varied patient illness profile
• Be able to formulate clear discharge plans for a wide range of people.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with a wide range of people including professionals, patients and carers
• Have evidence of good time management and organisational skills being able to work under pressure
• Be motivated and flexible with a positive attitude to change and commitment to service improvement

Desirable

• Be able to utilise the current IT systems within both GMMH and SRFT such as the Electronic Patient Record(s) and Datix

Other Requirements

Essential

• Be able to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team
• Be able to work a range of shifts over a 24 hour period

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

M6 8HG

Employer's website

https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)