Band 4 Mental Health Support Worker

Job summary

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.

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

About us

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.