Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the diverse and busy Mental Health Liaison team, alongside experienced Band 6 practitioners, working with both adults of working age and older adults.



We support service users who may be in an acute mental health crisis, have self-harmed, or present with suicidal ideation, delirium, or cognitive impairment, as well as those with substance or alcohol misuse.



We are looking for a candidate who would enjoy the challenges and diversity of assessing service users in different clinical environments, such as the emergency department, maternity, general medical wards, and maternity services in a large acute general hospital, alongside staff from a range of different specialties.



The Mental Health Liaison team operates from 8 a.m. to midnight across a seven-day service, 365 days a year. We are a Band 6 nurse-led team, with two Consultant Psychiatrists and a Band 7 senior practitioner, providing a comprehensive assessment service to patients/service users, carers, and clinical colleagues based within the Royal United Hospital in Bath.



1. Liaison and Consultation



Be responsible for the full assessment of care needs of patients presenting with a range of undifferentiated mental health and psychological problems. As a result of this assessment, you will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care without direct supervision.



2. Clinical Practice



Utilise a range of clinical skills appropriate to the individual patient's needs and the clinical setting in which they are being cared for, including interpretation of physical health investigations and treatment pathways.

Note:

This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP Trust policy, all newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within two years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances, in which case it may be extended for a further two years.

If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role, this will be an automatic progression following confirmation of your successful ASYE completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 post, you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy upon successful ASYE completion.



Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.



We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.



We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire, and in parts of Dorset.



Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.



AWP is committed to supporting and creating a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.



At AWP, we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.



Offering comprehensive psychosocial and safety assessments to individuals aged 18 years and older, including older adults (65+), though this is not definitive and will be specific to the patient's individual needs. This includes a range of undifferentiated mental health and psychological problems and psychiatric illnesses, including dementia.



Utilising physical health knowledge to support formulation and treatment.



Providing a mental health consultation, liaison, and advice service.



Assisting and supporting general hospital colleagues in making decisions about treatment and care in complex situations.



Providing formal and informal education and clinical supervision to registered and unregistered staff.



Representing mental health services within the general hospital.



Providing a communication structure between the general hospital, secondary mental health services, primary care, and non-statutory services to ensure the highest possible standards of patient care.



Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.