Job summary
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and organised Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner (Band 4) to join our Trust-wide mental health team working shifts, supporting patients across acute hospital settings.
This role plays an important part in delivering trauma-informed, person-centred and least-restrictive care to patients experiencing mental health distress, behavioural disturbance, psychological crisis, and frailty. Working alongside registered mental health practitioners and ward teams, you will provide enhanced therapeutic engagement, structured observation and low-intensity psychological support to improve patient safety, dignity and experience.
You will join a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to high-quality care, staff wellbeing and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with experience of working with patients with mental health conditions in an acute or mental health hospital setting, who wish to develop their skills in psychologically informed practice within a large teaching Trust.
Interview date: 06/02/2026
Main duties of the job
Working under the supervision of registered mental health professionals, you will support patients with complex emotional and mental health needs across the Emergency Department and inpatient wards.
You will provide therapeutic engagement and enhanced observation, using evidence-based, low-intensity psychological approaches such as de-escalation, grounding, problem-solving and mentalisation. You will support the delivery of individualised care plans, identify factors that increase or reduce distress, and recognise early signs of deterioration or increased risk, escalating concerns promptly to registered staff.
You will work collaboratively with ward teams, Mental Health Liaison Services and the wider multidisciplinary team to support integrated mental and physical healthcare. You will contribute to maintaining safe, supportive environments, promote trauma-informed and least-restrictive practice, and ensure accurate documentation in line with Trust policies.
You will be expected to work shifts including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
You will also participate in training, supervision and reflective practice to maintain competence, confidence and personal wellbeing.
About us
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.
We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities. See www.kingshealthpartners.org
We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and personal specification that is attached for the detailed information about this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and personal specification that is attached for the detailed information about this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education including GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths
- Care certificate (or must be willing to complete within 12 weeks of joining, this must include theory and practice and be from an Ofqual registered awarding institution)
- NVQ4, Foundation degree or degree in a healthcare-related subject, ideally psychology
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological or wellbeing interventions
- Experience working with patients with substance misuse
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with patients with mental health conditions
- Experience supporting patients who may present a risk to themselves or others
- Experience of therapeutic engagement and de-escalation
- Experience of taking and recording clinical observations
- Ability to document clearly and use electronic patient record systems
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological or wellbeing interventions
- Experience working with patients with substance misuse
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of trauma-informed approaches to care
- Knowledge of common mental health conditions
- Knowledge of therapeutic interventions used to reduce distress, anxiety, agitation and risk of aggression
- Understanding of confidentiality and information governance
Desirable
- Ability to engage compassionately with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage priorities under pressure
- Ability to work using own initiative with minimal supervision
- Ability to adapt to new ideas, knowledge and skill
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education including GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths
- Care certificate (or must be willing to complete within 12 weeks of joining, this must include theory and practice and be from an Ofqual registered awarding institution)
- NVQ4, Foundation degree or degree in a healthcare-related subject, ideally psychology
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological or wellbeing interventions
- Experience working with patients with substance misuse
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with patients with mental health conditions
- Experience supporting patients who may present a risk to themselves or others
- Experience of therapeutic engagement and de-escalation
- Experience of taking and recording clinical observations
- Ability to document clearly and use electronic patient record systems
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological or wellbeing interventions
- Experience working with patients with substance misuse
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of trauma-informed approaches to care
- Knowledge of common mental health conditions
- Knowledge of therapeutic interventions used to reduce distress, anxiety, agitation and risk of aggression
- Understanding of confidentiality and information governance
Desirable
- Ability to engage compassionately with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage priorities under pressure
- Ability to work using own initiative with minimal supervision
- Ability to adapt to new ideas, knowledge and skill
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
