Job overview
The Band 6 Liaison Psychiatry Nurse plays a vital role within the Emergency Department (A&E) of a busy Major Trauma Centre, providing specialist mental health assessment, risk formulation, and crisis intervention for individuals presenting with acute psychological distress. Working as part of a fast‑paced multidisciplinary environment, the post holder acts as the primary mental health professional within A&E, supporting safe and timely patient care during periods of heightened clinical demand.
This role requires a high level of clinical autonomy, advanced assessment skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a compassionate, patient‑centred approach. The post holder will manage a diverse and complex caseload, including patients presenting with self‑harm, suicidal ideation, acute psychosis, substance‑related crises, trauma-related presentations, and mental health needs arising following major injuries or medical emergencies.
The Band 6 nurse collaborates closely with ED clinicians, trauma teams, safeguarding services, and community mental health partners to ensure holistic, coordinated care. They contribute to rapid decision‑making regarding risk, capacity, and safety planning, and support the facilitation of appropriate follow-up or admission pathways in line with Trust protocols and national guidance.
Main duties of the job
A Band 6 Liaison Psychiatry Nurse in A&E at a Major Trauma Centre provides rapid specialist mental health assessments, crisis intervention, and risk management for patients presenting with self‑harm, suicidal ideation, acute psychosis, trauma‑related distress, or behavioural disturbance. The role involves working autonomously in a fast paced environment, collaborating closely with ED and trauma teams, coordinating safe care pathways, and making timely decisions regarding admission, follow‑up, and safeguarding. The post holder offers mental health expertise, de escalation support, and teaching to A&E colleagues, while maintaining high-quality documentation and contributing to service improvement.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Responsibilities
1. Clinical Assessment and Formulation
1. Undertake timely, comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments for patients presenting with acute mental health needs.
2. Formulate risk in relation to self‑harm, suicide, violence, vulnerability, and safeguarding concerns.
3. Assess the mental health impact of major trauma or medical emergencies.
2. Crisis Intervention and Management
4. Provide immediate therapeutic interventions, de‑escalation, grounding techniques, and short‑term crisis support.
5. Develop collaborative safety plans and ensure patients receive appropriate follow up or crisis care.
3. Care Pathway Planning and Coordination
6. Determine appropriate clinical pathways, including Mental Health Act assessment, voluntary admission, crisis team involvement, or community follow‑up.
7. Communicate clinical decisions to ED staff, medical / trauma teams, and relevant external agencies.
4. Multi‑Disciplinary Collaboration
8. Work in partnership with A&E clinicians, trauma teams, paramedics, safeguarding, social care, and community mental health teams.
9. Provide real time advice and support around behavioural management, risk mitigation, and trauma‑informed care.
5. Safeguarding and Legal Frameworks
10. Identify and escalate concerns relating to child or adult safeguarding.
11. Support Mental Capacity Act assessments and contribute to Mental Health Act processes when needed.
12. Ensure practice aligns with Trust policies and national legislation.
6. Documentation and Information Management
13. Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant clinical records.
14. Complete risk assessments, safety plans, incident reports, and referrals to relevant services.
7. Education, Training and Staff Support
15. Provide teaching to A&E colleagues on mental health conditions, suicide prevention, and risk assessment.
16. Act as a practice assessor / supervisor for nursing students
17. Promote psychologically informed practice across the department.
8. Service Development and Quality Improvement
18. Participate in audits, service evaluations, and quality improvement projects within the liaison service.
19. Contribute to initiatives that enhance patient experience, reduce waiting times, and improve clinical safety.
9. Professional Development
20. Maintain NMC registration and ensure compliance with mandatory training.
21. Engage in supervision, reflective practice, and continuing professional development to maintain advanced liaison skills.
Person specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
22. Registered Mental Health Nurse
23. Current Professional Registration
24. Evidence of continual professional development
25. Mentorship training or equivalent
26. Recognised post graduate qualifications in a specialist area of adult or older adult mental health
Desirable criteria
27. Recognised post graduate qualifications in a specialist area of adult or older adult mental health
Clinical Experience
Essential criteria
28. Experience of conducting comprehensive mental state examinations and risk assessments.
Desirable criteria
29. Willingness to contribute to service development, quality improvement, and audit activity.
Experience
Essential criteria
30. Substantial post qualification experience in the field of adult and/or older adult
31. Previous experience at working at senior level
32. Previous experience at working autonomously
33. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary mental health team
34. Extensive and demonstrable experience of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care, particularly in an acute care or older adult community setting
35. Essential and demonstrable experience of writing concise and clear clinical reports
36. Experience of developing or contributing to the development of new services preferably in mental health
Knowledge and Skills
Desirable criteria
37. Demonstrate well developed and confident professional nursing skills
38. Demonstrate skills in working in a rapidly changing environment
39. Demonstrate skills in providing effective nursing leadership
40. Demonstrate excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
41. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills
42. Demonstrate an ability to make balanced clinical judgments and decisions
43. Demonstrate excellent communication skills incl. verbal, written and, electronic
44. Demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues from a range of different professional backgrounds and across professional and organisational boundaries