Band 4 Mental Health Support Worker

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Mental Health Support Worker in the Emergency Department. The role focuses on assisting patients in acute mental health crises, triaging, and directing them to appropriate services while supporting ED clinicians.

The post requires a proactive, assertive individual with experience in crisis care,Sec136/Mental Capacity Act knowledge, and the ability to work within a 24-hour service.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people who are in crisis and with complex mental health needs.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team and willingness to undertake additional training.
• Knowledge of Sec136 and Mental Capacity Act.
• Psychiatric Intensive Care experience.
• Forensic experience.
• Knowledge of holistic wellbeing and restraint techniques.

Responsibilities

• Triages and assists patients in mental health crises in the ED.
• Provide expert advice and support to acute hospital clinicians.
• Conduct enhanced observations and apply de-escalation techniques.
• Advocate for vulnerable individuals, including those detained under Section 136.
• Contribute to reducing ED admissions and discharge planning.
• Deliver training to ED staff and maintain records per hospital policies.

Skills

Violence management

Complex MH needs

Crisis care

Team collaboration

Mental Capacity Act

PICU experience

Forensic experience

Restraint training

Job description

Main area Emergency Department - Mental Health Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 29.25 hours per week (Must be able to work a shift pattern that covers a 24 hour service of days, nights, weekends, bank holidays) Job ref 200-8268337-GO-VA

Site St George's Hospital Town London Salary £34,186 - £37,389 per annum inc HCAS (pro-rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 26/10/2026 08:00

Job overview

The Emergency Department (ED) Specialist Mental Health Support Worker (SMHSW) is an integral part of the ED Mental Health team. This role focuses on supporting individuals in acute mental health crises who present to the ED, ensuring they receive appropriate care and are directed to the correct services.

Due to the high volumes of interest in this role, this vacancy may close before the stated closing date as the cap would have been reached.

IF YOU HAVE APPLIED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS ROLE WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS PLEASE DO NOT APPLY AGAIN

***Due to the high volume of interest in this role, we may need to close this vacancy before the closing date***

We are currently unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.Applicants who already hold a visa that allows them to work in the UK are welcome to apply. However, the Trust will not be able to offer sponsorship once that visa expires. For induction, training and operational reasons, applicants must also have at least 12 monthsremainingon their visa at the start of employment.

***Applicants must either hold a valid Care Certificate or be able todemonstrateequivalent experience. Please make sure you include these details in yourapplication.***

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Mental Health Support Worker in the Emergency Department, you will play a vital role in triaging and assisting patients in mental health crises, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate services. You will provide expert advice and support to acute hospital clinicians, helping them manage complex mental health cases effectively. A key aspect of the role involves conducting enhanced observations, applying de-escalation techniques to maintain patient safety, and advocating for vulnerable individuals, including those detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. You will also contribute to reducing ED admissions and readmissions for mental health patients by facilitating early intervention and appropriate discharge planning. Additionally, you will help deliver training to ED staff, enhancing their knowledge of mental health and substance abuse. Your responsibilities extend to assisting patients with fundamental care needs such as nutrition, hydration, and personal advocacy, while collaborating with psychiatric liaison teams, families, and community services to ensure seamless, ongoing support. Maintaining accurate records in accordance with hospital policies and data protection regulations will be essential to this role

Working for our organisation

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please see the attached job description.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression
• Some experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
• Experience of working with people who are in crisis.
• Experience of working effectively and constructively as part of a team and willing to undertake additional training.
• Experience and knowledge of Sec136/ Mental Capacity Act
• Psychiatric Intensive Care experience
• Forensic experience

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

• Relationship building skills, can autonomously proactively network with the required services and communicate with medical professionals.

KNOWLEDGE/ EXPERIENCE/ SKILLS

• Holistic Well-being, understanding of physical, mental, social influences
• Knowledge and trained in physical restraint.

RESPONSIBILITY

• Autonomy – working alone to managing own workload of individual interventions

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.