Job Description

Surrey and Borders is looking for someone who is passionate about ensuring a high-quality holistic approach to the care and support provided to people with mental health difficulties in the general hospital. You will be ensuring an accessible, non-stigmatising and localised service that responds to and meets the needs of people who may have mental health problems in the district general hospital

Working Pattern:

12 Hours shifts



To carry out biopsychosocial assessments of people referred to the Liaison service from a variety of sources within the General Hospital, including the emergency department and Medical Wards. To work with people presenting with a range of psychosocial needs arising in the context of physical illness, as well as people presenting to the hospital following self-harm or in a mental health crisis To provide rapid psychiatric assessment and safe discharge planning in the Emergency Department. To agree on a collaborative plan of care with people who use our services and their carers where appropriate and arrange appropriate after-care To ensure that the relatives, carers and friends are actively encouraged to participate in care, provided with information, help and support where necessary To mentor, supervise and teach qualified and unqualified staff including students To assist in the development and maintenance of good working relationships with general hospital staff, local mental health services, primary care and non - statutory organisations To facilitate the teaching and training of mental health topics in the general hospital To work flexibly across 24 hours, 7 days a week as the liaison service develops to ensure the service level agreement is met and the changing needs of people who use the service in the hospital are met.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.



We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organizations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.



Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.



Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.



For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.



Would you like to work in an organisation that sits in the top 10 best NHS Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Services Trusts to work for? This ranking is based on staff feedback in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.



Deliver person-centred mental health care using advanced clinical judgement and specialist skills appropriate to individual needs and settings.



Undertake comprehensive psychiatric and psychosocial assessments, including full risk assessments to self and others.



Coordinate, monitor, and review care plans for a designated caseload, adapting interventions in response to clinical change.



Develop, implement, and evaluate robust discharge and transition plans, including urgent referrals to secondary care, social services, and voluntary agencies.



Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to assess needs, plan care, and respond effectively to deterioration or crisis.



Provide therapeutic interventions, emotional support, and stability while maintaining clear professional boundaries.



Act as a role model for high-quality mental health care within the general hospital or community setting.



Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant clinical records in line with Trust policies.



Communicate effectively with service users, carers, families, referrers, GPs, and partner agencies.



Ensure communication is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and adapted to individuals' understanding and needs.



Obtain informed consent for assessments and interventions in a meaningful and ethical manner.



Identify and address communication barriers to improve engagement and outcomes.



Share assessment findings and discharge plans appropriately with relevant professionals in line with service expectations.



Identify, assess, and manage a wide range of clinical and environmental risks relevant to the service user group.



Implement risk management strategies in accordance with Trust and local safeguarding policies.



Recognise and respond promptly to crisis situations, escalating concerns and seeking support when required.



Safeguard vulnerable adults and children by identifying abuse risks and following appropriate referral pathways.



Ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users, staff, visitors, and the public through adherence to health, safety, and security policies.



Address health education needs that reduce risk and promote safer outcomes for service users.



Contribute to the development, monitoring, and maintenance of service standards and clinical policies.



Collect, analyse, and report data for audit, research, and service performance monitoring.



Identify areas for service improvement and contribute to planning, implementation, and evaluation of change.



Promote shared decision-making and meaningful involvement of service users and carers in care planning.



Raise concerns appropriately and contribute constructively to a positive image of the team, service, and Trust.



Ensure care delivery aligns with evidence-based practice, policy, and risk management frameworks.



Act as a professional role model and provide guidance and support to junior staff and learners.



Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal, and reflective practice to enhance performance.



Support the induction, orientation, and ongoing development of new staff.



Contribute to mentorship and teaching of students in line with NMC standards.



Support structures for effective appraisal, performance management, and professional development within the team.



Maintain professional practice in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct.



Take responsibility for ongoing professional development, identifying learning needs and maintaining a professional portfolio.



Attend mandatory and essential Trust training.



Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional integrity at all times.



Support recruitment, deployment, and day-to-day management of staff in line with Trust policy.



Assist the team leader in maintaining safe staffing levels and effective rostering.



Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Orders, financial instructions, policies, and procedures.



Promote a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment.



Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and performance management activities.