Job overview
Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding role within frontline mental health crisis care?
The Mental Health Single Point of Access (MH SPA) is seeking experienced Band 6 Crisis Care Practitioners to join our dynamic and supportive team in London.
As part of our service, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health crisis, often managing high risk, complex and emotionally demanding situations requiring rapid assessment, sound clinical judgement and confident decision making.
This is an excellent development opportunity for clinicians wishing to strengthen their crisis assessment, risk management and autonomous practice skills within a senior clinical role.
We are proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment, with strong peer support, reflective practice and leadership oversight in recognition of the emotionally demanding nature of crisis work.
Main duties of the job
The role involves:
1. Managing complex and high risk triage calls, undertaking robust mental health and risk assessments in time-sensitive situations
2. Completing face to face community assessments for patients requiring urgent in person review
3. Formulating risk management and crisis plans to support safe and effective patient care
4. Working autonomously to make clinical decisions within a fast paced environment
5. Liaising with partner agencies including GP’s, police, ambulance services, emergency departments and community mental health teams to coordinate safe care pathways
6. Supporting and guiding junior staff with clinical decision making and risk formulation
7. Managing referrals effectively to ensure patients access the most appropriate service and unnecessary hospital admissions are avoided
8. Maintaining accurate, contemporaneous clinical documentation and records
9. Contributing to service improvement and ongoing development of crisis pathways
This role requires clinicians who are resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm and professionally curious under pressure. Successful applicants must be confident managing competing demands, uncertainty and emotionally challenging situations whilst maintaining compassionate, patient centred care.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
10. Relevant professional qualification, e.g. Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD), Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Counsellor
11. Current registration with relevant professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC, SWE, BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BPS)
12. Educated to degree level standard plus postgraduate diploma or equivalent level of experience
13. Specialist knowledge of mental health in relation to crisis, including assessment and management of risk
14. Demonstrable clinical knowledge and experience of mental health, including triage, assessment and support for individuals with complex needs
15. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development within a mental health setting
16. Understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by people with serious mental health issues
Desirable criteria
17. Degree in a health-related subject
18. Qualification in psychosocial interventions in mental health
19. KUF training
20. Additional training in brief interventions for people in crisis or emotional distress
21. Full UK driving licence
Experience
Essential criteria
22. Experience of providing clinical support to people in mental health crisis or acute emotional distress
23. Experience of carrying out crisis mental health assessments and risk formulations
24. Experience of working autonomously and using own initiative in pressured environments
25. Experience of telephone or remote (video/tele-triage) assessment and support
26. Experience of prioritising tasks in a busy clinical environment
27. Experience of multi-disciplinary team working and inter-agency collaboration
28. Experience of receiving and engaging in clinical supervision
Desirable criteria
29. Experience with telephone triage services (SPA, crisis line, 111*2)
30. Experience in psychiatric liaison or home treatment services
31. Experience supervising or mentoring staff and/or students
32. Experience facilitating wellbeing sessions with colleagues or service users
33. Experience of working with people across the lifespan
34. Experience of working to agreed targets and demonstrating clinical outcomes
35. Evidence of working in the local community
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
36. High standard of written and spoken English
37. Knowledge of relevant mental health law (MHA, MCA)
38. Excellent telephone manner and ability to engage empathetically in high-risk or emotive situations
39. Competence in structured risk assessment and crisis safety planning
40. Strong and adaptable communication skills (written and verbal)
41. Ability to type quickly and accurately
42. IT literacy, including MS Office and electronic health records
43. High level of analytical and judgement skills
44. Ability to work without direct supervision
45. Ability to recognise own wellbeing needs and maintain resilience
Desirable criteria
46. Ability to speak another community language
47. Ability to work effectively with interpreters
48. Knowledge of RiO or other NHS electronic record systems
49. Knowledge of outcome measures and use in audit
50. Knowledge of different mental health models and evidence-based psychosocial interventions
51. Ability to appropriately challenge and resolve conflict
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
52. Ability to work under pressure in high-risk situations
53. Flexible and positive approach to shift work, including nights and weekends
54. Empathy and ability to contain distress while maintaining professional boundaries
55. Proactive, reflective, and self-aware approach to practice
56. Committed to high-quality care and continuous learning
57. Ability to manage potentially distressing or traumatic situations
Desirable criteria
58. Evidence of self-development
59. Evidence of supporting others in their development
Requirements
Essential criteria
60. Able to participate in a 24 hour shift rota including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays, 365 days per year.
61. Able to undertake breakaway training and maintain competency where required for the role.
Desirable criteria
62. Holds a UK Driving Licence