Job summary
Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust are developing services Trust wide that will support our emergency service colleagues in the Police and Ambulance services to gain the best outcomes for those in mental health crisis. As part of that development we are looking for experienced mental health professionals to become Blue Light Line Practitioners, grade Band 7. We have full time and part time positions available. Based in North West Sussex, some shifts available as remote working, The service will operate 24 hrs, every day, so days and nights will be required. Blue Light Line provides a single point of access, giving information and clinical advice ensuring alternatives to the use of Section 136 are considered. Furthermore, it aims to give information and clinical advice to Ambulance colleagues to reduce the need for a conveyance to an Accident & Emergency department unless there is a medical emergency. The Blue Light Line will also be the single point of contact for the Police and Ambulance service Sussex wide, coordinating availability of the Hospital Based Place of Safety (S136 suites) and providing triage, coordination and allocation for a Haven as an Alternative Designated Place of Safety (S136) or for an informal extended period of assessment and support, should this be clinically indicated. The Blue light line will work collaboratively Trust bed management and with Havens supporting patient flow to ensure capacity.
Main duties of the job
- To provide senior leadership to the Blue Light Line and its functions.
- To be a single point of access and receive information from police and paramedic colleagues, and give advice and support based on the clinical presentation of a person in crisis, including a self- defined crisis.
- Work effectively with the Trusts Street Triage and Blue Light Triage teams to enable assessments in a person's own home wherever possible.
- Provide a robust but supportive triage that directs those in crisis to the appropriate pathways and services, both externally and within SPFT.
- Using clinical skills and knowledge, advise police colleagues on alternative means of support available to avoid the use of S136, offer least restrictive practice and gain the best outcomes for those in mental health crisis.
- When required identify a HBPOS, or if unavailable an APOS suitable for assessment under S136, following police detention.
- Work closely with the bed management team to identify a HBPOS for a S135 request.
- If a more suitable HBOS or APOS becomes available within the 24-hr time frame, support police colleagues to access this.
- Advise paramedics on alternative pathways and services to mental health assessment without conveyance to A&E when there is no medical need.
- Support the Havens with patient flow to optimise their availability.
- To identify a Haven should this be required by paramedic crews.
- Partnership working with other agencies to gain the best outcomes for the individual.
About us
We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.
Working in Sussex:
- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In order to be a successful Blue Light Line Practitioner in our team you will be:
- Registered with the NMC , HCPC or Social Work England
- Experienced working in mental health services
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety and service user experience
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety for emergency service colleagues.
Flexibility is required, but with a fixed roster pattern of 2 weeks of days and 2 weeks of nights this post has generous enhancements.
It is essential you have:
- Either experience in an Urgent Care setting, ideally a CRHT or psychiatric liaison
- Or experience of crisis assessment in any setting that provides a safety care plan.
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In order to be a successful Blue Light Line Practitioner in our team you will be:
- Registered with the NMC , HCPC or Social Work England
- Experienced working in mental health services
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety and service user experience
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety for emergency service colleagues.
Flexibility is required, but with a fixed roster pattern of 2 weeks of days and 2 weeks of nights this post has generous enhancements.
It is essential you have:
- Either experience in an Urgent Care setting, ideally a CRHT or psychiatric liaison
- Or experience of crisis assessment in any setting that provides a safety care plan.
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse or equivalent with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role.
- Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to masters level equivalent relevant to the care group
- Evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
- Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
- Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
- Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with staff, patients, families, carers and professionals
- Able to establish links with other services and professionals
- Able to effectively manage risk
- To have a good knowledge of service objectives
- Able to lead clinical discussions in team
- Able to undertake audit activity
- Able to use Trust IT systems to enter patient information, case notes, risk, eCPA.
- Able to produce documents and reports using Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Able to prioritise work and meet deadlines
- Able to manage distressing or emotional situations involving staff and patients as they arise
- Based in a locality and able to travel to other locations as part of clinical role
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse or equivalent with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role.
- Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to masters level equivalent relevant to the care group
- Evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
- Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
- Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
- Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with staff, patients, families, carers and professionals
- Able to establish links with other services and professionals
- Able to effectively manage risk
- To have a good knowledge of service objectives
- Able to lead clinical discussions in team
- Able to undertake audit activity
- Able to use Trust IT systems to enter patient information, case notes, risk, eCPA.
- Able to produce documents and reports using Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Able to prioritise work and meet deadlines
- Able to manage distressing or emotional situations involving staff and patients as they arise
- Based in a locality and able to travel to other locations as part of clinical role
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
