Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Support Worker position within the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) based at The Lakes Colchester. We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about mental health. The post holder will join an evolving team, and will be jointly responsible for the delivery of a high standard care within an acute hospital environment.



The mental health liaison service works is a CORE-24 mental health service, offering a comprehensive range of mental health specialities within one multi-disciplinary team. The mental health liaison service works alongside Colchester General Hospital to provide specialist services for mental health care in a physical health setting. The post holder will support the work of EPUT clinicians, in Emergency Departments and on Acute wards, to assess and manage mental health problems as they present or arise among people being cared for in the general health pathway.



Please note that this post will be closed early if a high number of applications are received.



Liaison mental health is traditionally concerned with the care of a person who presents with both mental and physical health symptoms regardless of presumed cause. In the context of a mental health crisis, liaison mental health services commonly see people when they are experiencing or have experienced any of the following:



Self-harm leading to medical or surgical treatment



Suicidal ideation



The consequences of alcohol and drug use, including when co-occurring with a mental health problem



Dementia or delirium



A severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression, or a personality disorder



Social vulnerability that may have a mental health problem or trauma as a component or root cause, for example, homelessness or domestic abuse.



Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.



Please note this vacancy requires a face to face interview with the Recruiting Manager. Applicants that are unable to attend a face to face interview need not apply.



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.



The post holder will be working within the mental health liaison service providing support and assistance to professionally qualified staff whilst delivering high quality care and support to patients signposted to this service.



In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;



Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures



To participate in the staff appraisal scheme for any staff you manage



To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy



To provide management supervision where appropriate



You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7-day a week, 24-hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts, where appropriate and operationally required.



The above does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as the requirements of the post change.



Please see job description for full duties for this role.



The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our population's health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a 'one workforce' cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.



To support this 'one workforce model' the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our 5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.



Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.



Further information will be provided post interview .



This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. ( EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).