Job summary
We are recruiting for an Assistant Practitioner who wishes to join our team. This post is a permanent position at 27 hours.
The MHLD Liaison Team work across St Mary's Hospital supporting people of all ages with Mental Health needs and Learning Disabilities.
We undertake crisis mental health assessments in the Emergency Department and support ward areas to provide reasonable adjustments for people. We aim to improve the parity of care for people of all ages with mental health and learning disabilities in the acute hospital and work with their family and carers to ensure they have the best possible care and treatment.
This position is suitable for a highly motivated person who is able to work under pressure. Rotation of shifts including nights will be an expectation of the role.
You should have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to interact at all levels. Attention to detail and proven ability to work to tight deadlines are essential for this role, as well as a high level of accuracy, data management skills and proven IT skills particularly in using Electronic Patient Records.
Main duties of the job
To undertake the role of a keyworker for people with mental health needs and their carers and their supporters in the ED and acute wards. This will include:
Triage and diversion of people presenting with mental health crisis alongside their physical health needs being met as appropriate.
Supporting people presenting in mental health crisis, or with serious mental illness, dementia, or with a learning disability requiring treatment and mental health assessment in ED, and providing support to their carers, relatives and friends.
Support for the MAU and acute wards in caring for people with serious mental illness, dementia, or with a learning disability requiring treatment and mental health assessment.
Work collaboratively with the service user and their family, friends or carers, using knowledge and skills to work in a recovery focussed way. Developing & reviewing appropriate care plans identifying and organising other resources as appropriate.
Support effective communication between ED, wards, mental health crisis team and liaison service, ensuring all referrals are assessed within one hour. Practitioners will also work closely with the dementia liaison nurse, MH liaison nurse and learning disability liaison service, and partners in the community including CCAMHS, No Limits, the Safe Haven and Inclusion Drug and Alcohol service.
Support system-wide, working with individuals who frequently use emergency services across the system, by taking part in the Integrated Care Review
About us
Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.
With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.
We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to combine all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services, with the plan to create a new larger, more integrated and accessible organisation.
The transformation will happen in stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning across in May 2024. The final combination of Southern Health and Solent NHS Trust services is expected in late 2024, when our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, will be formed.
Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
Experience
Essential
2. Experience of using IT packagesExperience of working within a team environmentExperience of working alongside people with mental health issues and vulnerable service users
Additional Criteria
Essential
3. Previous experience of working in the NHS or health care sector