Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Maidstone is seeking qualified Mental Health Nurses or Occupational Therapists to join their Liaison Service. The role involves providing assessments, mental health consultations, and support for patients with a range of mental health issues across general hospitals. Candidates must have a registered professional qualification and relevant experience. The Trust values a collaborative and inclusive environment while supporting the health and wellbeing of the community they serve.

Qualifications

• Registered professional qualification in mental health nursing or occupational therapy.
• Minimum of 18 months post qualification practice experience in mental health.
• Up to date knowledge of national and local guidance relevant to liaison psychiatry.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a psychiatric liaison team providing a service 7 days per week.
• Offer assessments to patients presenting with various mental health issues.
• Provide mental health consultations and advice throughout departments.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving abilities

Calm under pressure

Clinical skills

Education

Registered Professional Qualification in Mental Health Nursing or Occupational Therapy

Registered General Nurse (as a dual trained practitioner)

Tools

IT systems

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join the innovative Liaison Service?

The liaison psychiatry service aims to provide mental health advice and support to individuals receiving care and treatment at any of the general hospitals in Kent and Medway. The teams work closely with their General Hospital colleagues to ensure that mental health and wellbeing are effectively treated alongside any physical health needs.The general hospital staff can refer anyone over the age of 18 who attends A&E or is an inpatient on a medical or surgical ward. The team can then offer advice, support, or a full bio-psychosocial assessment as appropriate.

Are you highly motivated and a qualified Mental Health Nurse or Occupational Therapist?

If you are, then this may be the opportunity you have been waiting for. There are Full-time and part-time posts available.

Part-time posts will also be considered where possible.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of a psychiatric liaison team providing a liaison and assessment service 7 days per week that will involve working unsocial hours and public holidays.

Offer an assessment service to patients aged 18+ (with no upper age limit) presenting at the general hospital with a broad range of mental health and psychological problems, and diagnosed psychiatric illnesses.

Providing a mental health consultation, liaison and advice service throughout the departments.

Deliver a range of evidence-based psychosocial interventions to individual patients as required.

Assist and support general hospital colleagues in making decisions about treatment and care in complex situations.

Provide formal and informal education and case consultation to registered and unregistered staff.

Represent mental health services within the Hospitals.

Provide a communication structure between secondary mental health services, primary care and non-statutory services, as a means of ensuring the highest possible standards of patient care.

About us

We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.

Check out our recruitment videos Recruitment - YouTube

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

• Registered Professional Qualification in Mental Health Nursing or Occupational Therapy including registration with the relevant regulatory body.
• If not a qualified mentor, commitment to work towards this
• Registered General Nurse (as a dual trained practitioner)
• Qualified Mentor (998 or equivalent)/ Accredited Practice Educator (APPLE programme for OT).

Experience

• Experience of liaising with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the mental health trust
• Minimum of 18 months post qualification practice experience in mental health - any age
• Experience of leading service developments
• Experience of clinical audit and research

Knowledge & Skills

• Up to date knowledge of national and local guidance relevant to liaison psychiatry (e.g. Parity of esteem agenda, Crisis Care Concordat, National Suicide Prevention Strategy, Relevant NICE Guidelines)
• A working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act, Duty of Candour
• Knowledge of the effects of physical health and long term conditions on mental health and wellbeing
• Interpersonal skills: good communicator, problem solving abilities, calm under pressure, engaging, alignment with KMPT values. Ability to work according to Trust Values at all times, especially in complex and challenging situations
• Clinical skills: Robust mental health needs assessment, including risk and Mental State Examination/Formulation ability.
• Training: Ability to deliver in ad hoc and formal education sessions
• Information Technology: Ability to use IT systems effectively and in a timely way
• Travelling: Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner

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.