Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we're proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it's part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we'll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We're shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.
Job overview
Hello, I'm Phil, the MHLT team lead and I am looking for Urgent Care Practitioners to join the Mental Health Liaison team who can bring knowledge and expertise to this dynamic area of mental health service provision.
You will be working at the interface between physical and psychological health and bring your knowledge and expertise to your general hospital colleagues. You will undertake specialist and timely mental health assessments and treatment for patients attending the General Hospital. We support patients with a wide range of problems, including self-harm, adjustment to illness and physical and psychological co-morbidities. As there is no entrance requirement for A&E and people's perceptions of what constitutes a mental health emergency or crisis can vary, our team are referred people with all sorts of problems, including those people presenting to mental health services for the very first time.
I am looking for practitioners who are confident in the management of common mental health problems and who can bring their knowledge to their general hospital colleagues both informally and by undertaking teaching sessions. Although we have a separate Older Persons Liaison Team, the successful applicant may need to provide assessments and support to anyone over the age of 18. We would particularly welcome applicants with a special interest and experience in working with people over the age of 65.
Advert
You will need excellent communication skills and be able to foster excellent relationships with patients, carers, general hospital colleagues and other parts of the health and social care system.
This is a challenging but rewarding role, offering an exciting opportunity to nurses, occupational therapists or social workers who have strong assessment and therapeutic skills. You will need the ability to work autonomously whilst still contributing to the team as a whole. If you enjoy the challenge and stimulus of working under pressure and are able to remain calm in quickly changing circumstances, you will be well suited to this role.
As our Urgent Care Pathway moves towards CORE 24 standards, the post-holder will work flexible hours to support delivery of 24/7 services.
This post offers the Trust's £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses & Practitioners, (pro rata and subject to terms and conditions; please see attached Protocol Document for full details
Working for our organisation
This is an exciting role, that welcomes registered mental health nurses, who possess strong mental health assessment and therapeutic skills. Previous experience of working in acute mental health services is desirable although not essential.
We offer a robust induction programme through clinical supervision, coaching and teamwork.
We are pleased to offer you flexible working opportunities.
We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, home-working, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role will support the work of and across Urgent Care Teams (Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team and The Haven) and as such the post holder will be expected to work across these teams as required. Our three services are integral to our Urgent Care Pathway and ensure people presenting to acute mental health services receive a compassionate, person- centred assessment and timely care plan whether this occurs in an acute setting such as The Haven; the General Hospital or in their home.
This new flexible way of working provides the successful applicant the opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate good quality care across the range of urgent care services.
Previous experience of working in acute services, home treatment teams or Liaison Psychiatry is desirable, although not essential. We offer excellent staff support through clinical supervision and teamwork.
If you are reading this and thinking this is the ideal job opportunity for you and you would like more information, please do contact me on the number below. I would welcome interested applicants for an informal visit and conversation about the role.
SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.
If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we'll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.
In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.