Psychiatric Liaison Practitioner, Band 6
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Taunton, Somerset
Our award winning trusts recognise that our colleagues are our most valuable resource, we are proud of the excellent levels of service our Trust provides to our service users and the dedication and conscientiousness of our colleagues. With over 10,000 colleagues working for our trusts in a very wide range of services, we aim to provide a supportive, inclusive environment in which our colleagues can thrive.
Potential Trust Merger
Our trust is consulting on a proposed merger to enable Yeovil District hospital and Somerset Foundation Trust to become one combined organisation. If the merger is confirmed your employment will transfer to the newly formed trust in April 2023
Job overview
We are offering new and exciting opportunities to join our expanding service within the Taunton Liaison Psychiatry Service.
If you are a highly motivated Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Worker or Occupational Therapist (OT) with a 'can do' attitude and an interest in being part of a growing specialist service then this is the job for you!
You'll undertake high quality assessments for individuals within the Acute General Hospital experiencing mental health issues, physical illness and distress.
The role includes working flexibly across a 24-hour shift rota, 7 days a week and will include nights and 12 hour shifts, allowing you to work your hours in less days and therefore improve your work life balance, giving you more time off to enjoy the dynamic lifestyle Somerset has to offer.
You should have experience of working with and willingness to teach and educate others within the team and the General Hospital as well as a commitment to service development and the best possible outcomes for people within the acute hospital setting.
In return, we can offer you the opportunity to be part of an accredited dynamic core 24 service, bespoke Liaison Psychiatry Training. You will be offered a high level of Clinical Supervision and support, all within the framework of the Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network.
Main duties of the job
The Psychiatric Liaison Practitioners role includes:
- To complete a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of mental health needs for people referred to the team. These will include people presenting with both functional and organic problems.
- Following the assessment, develop a joint care plan with the service users, and where possible, the carer and acute Trust staff
- Complete comprehensive and robust risk assessments on those that are referred to the service, involving all of the necessary professionals, person that uses services and their carer (where appropriate) in order to formulate a safe effective risk management plan.
- Support and advise Acute Trust staff regarding the care, treatment and management of the people with mental health difficulties.
- To feedback and liaise with other services and professionals involved in the individuals care as required.
- Clear effective written and verbal communication with GPs and others involved in their care. All GP discharge letters/summaries to be sent within 2 working days or sooner if required.
- Make the requisite onward referrals in a timely manner and depending on urgency.
- Prepare and facilitate regular training to the staff in the acute hospital.
Working for our organisation
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression, and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Relationships:
- Service Users and their families
- Home Treatment Team Manager/Psychiatric Liaison Team Manager
- Service Manager/Deputy Service Director
- Head of inpatient and Urgent Care
- Clinical/Medical and managerial staff within the team
- Clinical leads and operational managers within MPH
- Other members of the unit team
- Colleagues across the general hospital
Working relationships will be maintained with:
Local Home Treatment Teams, Adult Mental Health Teams and Inpatient Services
- Departments within the Trust
- Wards and departments at Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH)
- Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services both statutory and non-statutory
- Other working partners including GP’s, CCG’s, Health and Social Care Services, Voluntary organisations and Patient and Carer Representatives
- To exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy and make critical judgements of the highest order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the role.
- To ensure that clinical care where necessary is provided within a framework that reflects statutory
- The post holder will regularly deal with difficult and distressed patients and carers, conveying complex, difficult and unwelcome information relating to both staff and clinical issues. This may include occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
- Current registration with relevant professional body
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
- Registered General Nurse
- Psychological therapies training
- Practice educator or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post registration experience in community mental health services, Home Treatment or Psychiatric Liaison Team
- Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis, recognising when to seek additional supervision
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within psychiatric liaison services
- Experience of working within both older adult and adult acute settings
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Gayle Covey
- Job title
- Team Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01823 342367
- Additional information
-
Emily Harris, Clinical Lead on 01823 342367