Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

Job summary

We are seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to work in our Liaison service. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to expand their existing knowledge and skill set working in a Mental Health Liaison Team within a general hospital.

The team operates over a 24 hour period 7 days a week so weekend and out of hours working is essential.

You will be an experienced Band 6 Mental Health Professional who is able to work autonomously with patients with either an acute mental health concern or worsening of a pre-existing condition, you will be able to conduct full, holistic biopsychosocial mental health assessments, undertake robust risk assessments and management plans and develop collaborative recovery focused care plans with patients and their carers. Working alongside our acute physical health colleagues at Queen Alexandra Hospital, you'll be an important figure in advocating for patients and promoting parity of esteem within the acute setting.

The team is made up of a full MDT and includes mental health nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, peer support workers and health care support workers. It is a rich learning environment, with daily MDT meetings, reflective practice, round table discussions as well as more formal teaching sessions.

As a team we provide education to our physical health colleagues and there are opportunities for staff to be involved in this important part of our role.

Main duties of the job

Mental Health Liaison is the sub specialty of Psychiatry involving assessment and management of mental health needs related to physical problems and for people presenting with primary mental health problems to the acute hospital.

This service aims to provide acute hospital staff with specialist advice on the management of psychological and psychiatric problems. The team prioritises on risk, location and complexity of referrals and coordinates resources appropriately.

The primary function of this role is to be a core member of the Psychiatric Liaison Team and develop the skills to take responsibility for the provision of on-going assessments, care planning, treatment and support of people who may come into contact with the acute general hospital,

Be accountable and responsible for own practice.

To develop, implement and evaluate evidence based programmes of care; set standards of care and liaise with other agencies.

Participate in the multi-disciplinary assessment of individuals with mental health problems within the acute hospital setting.

Ensure timely contact, risk assessment and management plan and record keeping is completed for service users with an appropriate overall management plan.

To adhere to professional confidentiality standards.

To be aware of the potential for vulnerability to abuse amongst the people who use this service, and use of the local policy to inform appropriate personnel in line with safeguarding vulnerable adults and children policies.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Alexandra Hospital

South Block, Southwick Hill

Cosham

Hampshire

PO6 3LY

Employer's website

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

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Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Alexandra Hospital

South Block, Southwick Hill

Cosham

Hampshire

PO6 3LY

Employer's website

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

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