An opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced mental health nurse to join the Acute Hospital liaison service at Harrogate District Hospital.

This is an excellent and exciting opportunity for the right candidate to become involved in the continuous development of a proactive and forward-thinking team.

Mental health disorders are very common in general hospitals and research has shown that they are often not recognised or treated. Untreated mental health issues can lead to longer hospital admission and poorer physical health overall in hospital inpatients and increased health care costs.

The Acute Hospital liaison service is a team of Mental health professionals whooffer assessment and interventions for acute hospital inpatients and those presenting at Emergency Department. Depending on the clinical presentation, follow up and further therapeutic interventions will be offered according to need.

The service operates 7 days a week over 24 hours, therefore unsocial hours, including night duty is an expectation of this post.

Main duties of the job

The Clinicians in the team are responsible for:

• Liaising with staff in the acute hospital, supporting them with the management of the mental health and well-being of patients who have been admitted for physical health care, but who require support with new or existing mental health needs
• Responding to referrals asking for a mental state assessment for people presenting with an acute mental health problem in the Emergency Department or on the wards
• Being professionally accountable and responsible for giving specialist advice and support to facilitate the mental health care given to patients in the acute hospital.
• Presenting the views of patients and carers to the clinical teams in the acute hospital to facilitate collaborative working between all parties.
• Liaising with other professionals and agencies in the facilitation of a safe and effective plans of mental health care.
• Liaising with other professionals and agencies in the development and facilitation of safe and effective discharge plans - reducing hospital lengths of stay and readmission.
• Promoting the principles of the Recovery Model
• Enhancing knowledge and skills in the field of mental ill health for staff employed in acute hospital through the provision of specialist advice and training.

About us

It is important to have excellent verbal communication skills, and to understand and empathise with the needs of both patients and staff in the hospital.

The post requires good IT skills, the ability to work flexibly and autonomously as well as contributing to an MDT approach. A strong understanding and commitment to team working is vital.

This is a challenging but rewarding post. Opportunities for professional development and learning are a priority.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached the Mental health liaison nurse Job Description for a detailed overview of the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the post.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• RNMH, current professional registration with NMC.
• Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
• MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education (or must be achieved within agreed timescale).
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area e.g. older people's nursing, physical health conditions etc.
• Non-medical prescriber
• Leadership or management qualification

Experience Essential

• Recent and significant experience in the assessment and care of adults and older people with mental ill health.
• Supporting/mentoring students on practice placement experience.
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Quality improvement activities
• Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carer
• Experience working with people with dementia.

Desirable

• Recent experience nursing across a range of settings e.g. acute hospitals, mental health units, care homes etc and including adults and older people.
• Providing clinical supervision

Knowledge Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge to post-graduate level of evidence-based practice in caring for patients in the designated field including specialist knowledge of co-morbidity (physical and mental health) in relation to acute and chronic conditions.
• Detailed understanding of the relationship between physical and mental health conditions and associated patient needs
• Understanding of relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act).
• Detailed understanding of adult/child Safeguarding and its application in practice.
• Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice
• Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment.

Desirable

• The Trust's Quality Improvement System (QIS)

Skills Essential

• Interpret complex clinical information from a variety of sources and make clear and prompt clinical decisions.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide leadership and monitor, co-ordinate and prioritise the activities of a team.
• Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice.

Personal Attributes Essential

• Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing and challenging circumstances
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Self-aware and committed to professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions.
• Committed to promoting a positive image of the Liaison Service.
• Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours.
• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

346-NYM-118-22