Job summary
The primary objective of this role is to manage the transfer of patients from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) inpatient wards and Emergency Department (ED) to mental health beds and services outside the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) area.
Based within the Mental Health Liaison team at St Thomas' Hospital, the post holder will oversee mental health pathways for GSTT patients, including those from the Mental Health Liaison team, Mental Health of Older Adults (MHOAD), and Clinical Assessment Unit (CAU). The role requires a strong understanding of mental health admission processes, and collaboration with clinical teams to identify patients requiring mental health care, both within SLaM and externally, providing ongoing support throughout the process.
A key responsibility is developing expertise in mental health trusts outside of SLaM and building relationships with these trusts. The post holder will work with various services and stakeholders to ensure smooth patient transfers and will maintain strong connections with bed management teams. The role also involves supporting the Mental Health Liaison team in collecting and analyzing data related to patient stays, including those from SLaM boroughs, to address challenges around delayed transfers of care.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
Daily Patient Flow Management:
- Participate in clinical handovers to assess bed demand and provide updates to the clinical team.
- Identify responsible CCGs and mental health trusts for patients needing admission.
- Support SLAM borough patients by troubleshooting bed calls for efficient patient flow.
- Collaborate with bed management teams to follow local gatekeeping protocols.
- Ensure non-SLaM patient referrals are gate-kept without barriers to inpatient bed referrals.
- Document and notify clinical and bed management teams about disruptions or delays.
- Serve as the main contact for Trusts, providing updates on bed availability.
- Maintain daily communication with bed management teams to track bed availability.
- Act as a resource for liaison teams and wards/ED, supplying patient flow information.
Escalation and Communication:
- Initiate escalation for delayed transfers of care during business hours (0900-1700).
- Maintain accurate clinical records in EPJS, including liaison proformas and caseload management for patients needing mental health admissions.
- Ensure detailed records are kept in Enoting and other GSTT platforms.
Workload Prioritization:
- Prioritize workload and referrals based on patient needs, service demands, and GSTT requirements, ensuring efficient patient care.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the largest range of NHS mental health and substance misuse services in the UK, with a strong focus on treating drug and alcohol addiction. The Trust collaborates closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London and is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, which integrates treatment, research, and training.
Employing around 5,000 staff, SLaM serves a population of 1.1 million across South London, covering areas like Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, and providing substance misuse services in Bexley, Bromley, and Greenwich. The Trust operates over 230 services, including inpatient, outpatient, and community-based care, treating approximately 5,300 patients annually in inpatient settings and over 45,000 in the community.
Working at SLaM offers the chance to join a globally recognized mental health care provider, with access to professional development and training. In 2014, SLaM delivered over 14,000 training experiences for staff at all levels. The strong partnership with King's Health Partners also provides opportunities to engage in academic research, bridging the gap between mental health practice and scientific inquiry.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Patient Flow Management:
- Attend clinical handovers, assess bed demand, and communicate with the clinical team.
- Identify responsible CCGs and mental health trusts for patient admissions.
- Troubleshoot bed flow for SLAM borough patients and liaise with bed management teams.
- Ensure smooth referral and gatekeeping for non-SLaM beds.
- Record and report flow disruptions and delays.
Escalation & Records:
- Initiate escalation for delayed transfers of care (9 AM - 5 PM).
- Maintain accurate clinical records via EPJS, Enoting, and GSTT platforms.
- Prioritize referrals based on patient needs.
Communication & Relationships:
- Communicate effectively and build supportive networks across teams.
Data & Support:
- Complete monthly ED breach reports and investigate delays.
- Assist with patient movement to private sector beds and support revenue collection.
- Process invoices and collaborate on complaints/investigations related to delays.
Training & Support:
- Teach students about mental health bed management.
- Support patient flow across Kings Health Partners and SLaM sites.
General Duties:
- Model effective behavior and maintain personal development.
- Supervise 1 band 4 administrative staff and adhere to Trust policies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Patient Flow Management:
- Attend clinical handovers, assess bed demand, and communicate with the clinical team.
- Identify responsible CCGs and mental health trusts for patient admissions.
- Troubleshoot bed flow for SLAM borough patients and liaise with bed management teams.
- Ensure smooth referral and gatekeeping for non-SLaM beds.
- Record and report flow disruptions and delays.
Escalation & Records:
- Initiate escalation for delayed transfers of care (9 AM - 5 PM).
- Maintain accurate clinical records via EPJS, Enoting, and GSTT platforms.
- Prioritize referrals based on patient needs.
Communication & Relationships:
- Communicate effectively and build supportive networks across teams.
Data & Support:
- Complete monthly ED breach reports and investigate delays.
- Assist with patient movement to private sector beds and support revenue collection.
- Process invoices and collaborate on complaints/investigations related to delays.
Training & Support:
- Teach students about mental health bed management.
- Support patient flow across Kings Health Partners and SLaM sites.
General Duties:
- Model effective behavior and maintain personal development.
- Supervise 1 band 4 administrative staff and adhere to Trust policies.
Person Specification
essential
Essential
- Suitability to role, previous experince
Desirable
- Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
Esesntial
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent qualifications in English Language and Mathematics
- Experience and knowledge of mental health bed management and coordination
- Knowledge and understanding of national mental health pathways
- An ability to present complex situations in a clear and concise manner that promotes professional communication
- An ability to work as with a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
- IT skills including experience of using the full Microsoft package
- Knowledge and experience of using NHS information systems
Desirable
- Experience of providing supervision and appraisal
- A good geographical knowledge of London and the UK
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and direct own work streams
- Ability to maintain and manage data
Person Specification
essential
Essential
- Suitability to role, previous experince
Desirable
- Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
Esesntial
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent qualifications in English Language and Mathematics
- Experience and knowledge of mental health bed management and coordination
- Knowledge and understanding of national mental health pathways
- An ability to present complex situations in a clear and concise manner that promotes professional communication
- An ability to work as with a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
- IT skills including experience of using the full Microsoft package
- Knowledge and experience of using NHS information systems
Desirable
- Experience of providing supervision and appraisal
- A good geographical knowledge of London and the UK
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and direct own work streams
- Ability to maintain and manage data
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).
