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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Practitioner in Psychiatric Liaison

The closing date is 25 May 2025

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Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated and skilled Band 6 Practitioner to join our Psychiatric Liaison Team based at Yeovil District Hospital. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients experiencing acute mental health challenges within a physical health setting.

As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you will conduct specialist mental health assessments, provide expert advice and contribute to the planning and delivery of person centred care for adults presenting with psychiatric needs in the general hospital setting.

Main duties of the job

Deliver comprehensive mental health assessments and interventions to adults in A&E and general hospital wards.

Support early discharge planning and admission avoidance strategies through timely and effective interventions.

Provide specialist mental health consultation, advice and education to acute hospital staff.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical records on the Trust's Rio system.

Act as a professional role model, promoting best practice and providing mentorship to students and junior staff.

Participate in clinical audits, service evaluations, and development initiatives.

Ensure safe, evidence-based, and legally compliant care is delivered to patients.

Work closely with partner agencies across health and social care to promote integrated service delivery.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Shift work including night shifts to cover 24/7 service

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2507

Job locations

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and compassionate practitioner--registered as a RMN, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist--with experience in mental health, ideally within a liaison or acute setting. The post involves high levels of autonomy, professional responsibility, and collaboration across multiple teams and organisations.

The role demands excellent communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills, and a deep understanding of the complex needs of patients with co-existing physical and mental health conditions. You will play a crucial part in supporting the physical and psychological wellbeing of patients, influencing care pathways, and enhancing outcomes through early intervention and effective liaison.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and compassionate practitioner--registered as a RMN, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist--with experience in mental health, ideally within a liaison or acute setting. The post involves high levels of autonomy, professional responsibility, and collaboration across multiple teams and organisations.

The role demands excellent communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills, and a deep understanding of the complex needs of patients with co-existing physical and mental health conditions. You will play a crucial part in supporting the physical and psychological wellbeing of patients, influencing care pathways, and enhancing outcomes through early intervention and effective liaison.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Work, or Occupational Therapy Qualification. Must hold a current registration with the relevant professional body.
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development. Demonstrates ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing clinical skills and knowledge.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant Post-Registration Experience in Mental Health Services. Particularly within Community Mental Health, Home Treatment or Psychiatric Liaison settings.
  • Experience in Managing Risk for Clients in Crisis. Able to assess, respond to, and manage complex risk scenarios while knowing when to escalate for additional support.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Work, or Occupational Therapy Qualification. Must hold a current registration with the relevant professional body.
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development. Demonstrates ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing clinical skills and knowledge.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant Post-Registration Experience in Mental Health Services. Particularly within Community Mental Health, Home Treatment or Psychiatric Liaison settings.
  • Experience in Managing Risk for Clients in Crisis. Able to assess, respond to, and manage complex risk scenarios while knowing when to escalate for additional support.

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.

UK Registration

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

Additional information

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.

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Casey O'Keefe

Casey.Okeefe@somersetft.nhs.uk

01935384730

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Shift work including night shifts to cover 24/7 service

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2507

Job locations

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Supporting documents

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