Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner in Dorchester. You will assess patients referred from the Emergency Department and hospital wards with mental health needs, self-harm, or psychiatric crises, and address psychosocial issues related to physical disorders.

Applicants must have current registration (NMC/HCPC), crisis management experience, and be able to work autonomously within a supportive, multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Registered mental health professional with applicable registration (NMC/HCPC).
• Clinical supervision training or equivalent.
• Qualification in psychosocial interventions/CBT.
• ENB 998 or equivalent teaching/assessing qualification.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients referred from the Emergency Department and hospital wards.
• Deal with mental health problems, self-harm, or psychiatric crises.
• Work with psychosocial and physical health related issues in a multidisciplinary setting.

Education

RMN/NMC HCPC registration & professional registration

Clinical Supervision training

Psychosocial Interventions/CBT qualification

ENB 998 or equivalent teaching/assessor qualification

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner

The closing date is 29 October 2026

Are you a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker? The Dorchester Psychiatric Liaison service are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner to join their well-established supportive team.

As a Practitioner you will assess patients referred from a variety of sources including the Emergency Department and wards within the hospital. Patients seen may present with mental health problems, self harm, or a psychiatric crisis. You will also work with patients presenting with psychosomatic disorders as well as a variety of psychological issues relating to a physical disorder.

You will need to be confident in your risk assessment skills and be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the legislation, polices and guidance which underpin our clinical practice. You will be required to work autonomously, therefore clinical skills and experience relating to crisis management and assessment are essential.

You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills as you will be required to work affectively with both the multidisciplinary team, our acute colleagues based in the general hospital, other mental health services and external supporting agencies.

This post is a full-time role, we would accept part time applications and can be flexible. The service is 24/7 with shift patterns which include weekends, nights, and public holidays.

Weekend and public holidays at enhanced pay!

Main duties of the job

By joining Liaison Psychiatry as a Practitioner you will be offered a comprehensive induction period before starting in the role and be part of a continued developing service. You will be involved in team meetings, case presentations, reflective practice and receive regular group and individual supervision. You will have the opportunity to attend courses which support your individual development and growth as a practitioner in line with the appraisal process.

Early - 7:30 - 15:30

Late - 12:30 - 20:30

Long day - 7:30 to 20:30

Nights - 20:00 - 8:00

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

If you are interested in moving to Dorset, we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £5,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email [e-mail]

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• ENB 998 or equivalent teaching and accessing qualification. Ability to act as practice supervisor / assessor or equivalent
• RMN with current NMC registration or Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration or Social Worker with HCPC registration.
• Clinical Supervision training
• Qualification in Psychosocial Interventions/CBT

Job Specific Experience

• Significant post registration experience working with clients with severe and enduring mental illness
• Experience of assessing, planning and implementing programmes of care, particularly in an acute or community setting
• Community Mental Health Team experience or equivalent

Information Technology

• Basic skills and knowledge of information technology, e.g. familiar with use of Patient Administration Systems, Email and Word Documents

Personal Qualities/ Attributes

• The ability to work under pressure in acute situations without supervision
• Demonstrate an ability to negotiate and problem solve in contentious and/or antagonistic situations where agreement is required, or communicate clear decisions and rationale where agreement cannot be reached, e.g. in situations where the Mental Health Act may be required
• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

Business travel

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

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.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearp.a. / pro rata for part-time