Job summary
The Northeast Essex Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPA)Support Worker post will play a role providing initial screening and triage for all referrals into the service. The post holder is responsible for screening incoming referrals, ensuring essential clinical and administrative information--such as blood tests, risk assessments, and demographic details-- are complete and accurate. They will assist in telephone triage with clinical guidance from registered professionals in the team, gather key information about presenting concerns, and help escalate urgent issues as required. The role involves significant administrative duties, including maintaining accurate electronic patient records, updating referral information, and supporting the wider multidisciplinary team by attending referral meetings and facilitating coordination between services. The post holder contributes to the safe, timely, and efficient flow of referrals, ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate care pathway.
PLEASE NOTE
This role is exclusively for applicants seeking a full-time position.This is an office-based post, opportunities to work from home will be limited.
Main duties of the job
Referral Screening and Processingo Review and screen incoming referrals for completeness and appropriateness.o Check referral information against referral criteria and flag missing data or red flags to clinicians.o Ensure required investigations (e.g. blood tests, physical health checks, risk assessments) are included or followed up as necessary.Telephone Triage Supporto Conduct initial telephone triage calls with patients or carers under clinician guidance.o Gather key presenting complaint, mental state indicators, risk concerns (e.g. self-harm, suicide risk, safeguarding), and social factors.
Escalate urgent concerns immediately to clinicians or duty staff.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Documentation and Record Managemento Open and update referrals on electronic patient records (e.g. Paris, SystmOne, EMIS).o Accurately document triage outcomes and patient contact details.o Maintain up-to-date demographic and clinical information in the system.Liaison and Coordinationo Communicate with GPs, other healthcare professionals, social services, and internalteams to request missing information.o Coordinate collection and collation of relevant clinical documentation (e.g. previous mental health history, safeguarding plans).Multi-disciplinary Team Supporto Attend and contribute to daily or weekly referral review meetings (MDTs), bringing forward relevant cases or queries.o Take notes or minutes where appropriate and ensure follow-up actions are logged.Monitoring and Escalationo Monitor referral queues and timelines to ensure timely response and triage in line with service standards.o Identify and escalate any deterioration in mental health or urgent safeguarding issues to appropriate clinical staff.Safeguarding and Risk Awarenesso Be alert to safeguarding issues and follow appropriate protocols when concerns are identified.o Participate in risk discussions and assist in compiling risk profiles for new referrals.
Administrative Support to Clinical Pathwayso Assist with booking initial assessment appointments where required.o Assist in sending reminders for scheduled appointments.o Upload and tag relevant clinical correspondence and investigations to patient records.Service User Communicationo Provide information to service users about what to expect from the SPA process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Documentation and Record Managemento Open and update referrals on electronic patient records (e.g. Paris, SystmOne, EMIS).o Accurately document triage outcomes and patient contact details.o Maintain up-to-date demographic and clinical information in the system.Liaison and Coordinationo Communicate with GPs, other healthcare professionals, social services, and internalteams to request missing information.o Coordinate collection and collation of relevant clinical documentation (e.g. previous mental health history, safeguarding plans).Multi-disciplinary Team Supporto Attend and contribute to daily or weekly referral review meetings (MDTs), bringing forward relevant cases or queries.o Take notes or minutes where appropriate and ensure follow-up actions are logged.Monitoring and Escalationo Monitor referral queues and timelines to ensure timely response and triage in line with service standards.o Identify and escalate any deterioration in mental health or urgent safeguarding issues to appropriate clinical staff.Safeguarding and Risk Awarenesso Be alert to safeguarding issues and follow appropriate protocols when concerns are identified.o Participate in risk discussions and assist in compiling risk profiles for new referrals.
Administrative Support to Clinical Pathwayso Assist with booking initial assessment appointments where required.o Assist in sending reminders for scheduled appointments.o Upload and tag relevant clinical correspondence and investigations to patient records.Service User Communicationo Provide information to service users about what to expect from the SPA process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ qualification - level 3 or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working within Mental health services
- Previous experience of working within Mental health services
Desirable
- Working in a Single Point of Access or equivilent
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively - in writing and in person
- Ability to screen and triage clinical and risk information
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ qualification - level 3 or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working within Mental health services
- Previous experience of working within Mental health services
Desirable
- Working in a Single Point of Access or equivilent
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively - in writing and in person
- Ability to screen and triage clinical and risk 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).
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).
