Overview
The Mental Health Liaison Teams (MHLT) are multidisciplinary teams providing a specialist, frontline, emergency mental health assessment and/or treatment service for those referred to the team from the acute Trust Emergency Department and medical wards, and formulating an appropriate ongoing plan for each person assessed. The team also provides advice, training and consultation to teams referring into the service.
The Senior Support Worker will work as a member of the multi‑disciplinary team supporting the MHLT clinicians, undertaking clinical and administrative tasks with supportive supervision as required. The post holder will spend significant amounts of time engaging with people who present to the Emergency Department with mental health needs and supporting with administrative tasks.
Important Sponsorship Information
We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.
Responsibilities
* Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to provide the best possible treatment options for people presenting to the Emergency Department or acute medical wards experiencing mental ill health.
* Provide a wide range of practical support to people with mental ill health under the direction of qualified staff within the MHLT.
* Assist in the delivery of high standards of care to individual patients.
* Utilise effective communication skills when liaising with the acute Trusts wards and Emergency department, providing and receiving accurate information regarding referrals and updates on patients’ care.
* Support the MHLT with taking and opening referrals, data collection, updating information on the electronic systems, following up referrals to bed management (Oxleas and external) for bed requests, ensuring all documentation is completed for transfer of patients, arranging transport if required.
* Support the MHLT with liaising and obtaining information from community mental health teams, GP, family and other external agencies.
* Support the MHLT with referrals to Recovery House and Home Treatment Team.
* Support with care plans given to patients in ED by MHLT.
* Support with ongoing monitoring of patients in ED as directed by the MHLT practitioners.
* Meet and greet patients in ED while waiting for assessment by the MHLT practitioners.
* Escalate concerns regarding a patient’s wellbeing or changes to presentation to a registered nurse or team manager.
* Liaise with other teams regarding transfer of care for patients prior to admission or discharge.
* Attend and contribute to handover meetings and contribute to handover to incoming shift.
* Act on own initiative when delivering care, seeking supervision and guidance as required.
* Provide assistance to family and carers in coping with demands placed on them by the patient.
* Promote patient and (where appropriate) carer involvement in all aspects of care.
* Respond to the needs of people sensitively and in a non‑judgemental way with regard to their age, race, culture, gender, religion, sexuality, and disability.
* Recognise and value patients as individuals, acknowledging the importance of always maintaining the patient’s respect and dignity and ensuring that the care provided respects equality and diversity.
* Demonstrate an empathic understanding of mental health problems and issues.
* Have a knowledge of risk management and utilise tools in accordance with Trust policy.
* Demonstrate a basic understanding of the causes of aggression, and utilise skills in the prevention, de‑escalation and management of violence and aggression.
* Be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (2015) and Mental Capacity Act (2005).
* Recognise scope of own abilities and responsibilities and practice within them, referring matters to and seeking advice from senior trained team members as appropriate.
Working Hours
The post holder should be available to work extended shifts, including nights, covering a 7‑day week service, and may be expected to support other Oxleas Crisis teams where there is a clear clinical need.
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