Job overview
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work at the fast‑paced interface of physical and mental health, this secondment offers the perfect opportunity to experience Liaison Psychiatry first‑hand. Whether you're curious about LPS, looking to broaden your acute assessment skills, or considering a future career in crisis or liaison services, this role gives you a supportive, hands‑on introduction to one of the most exciting areas of mental health nursing.
As a Band 6 Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in delivering high‑quality mental health assessments and interventions within the general hospital. You’ll work closely with emergency and medical colleagues, supporting patients presenting with a range of mental health needs, including crisis presentations, self‑harm, complex psychosocial issues, and functional or organic disorders.
This is a role where every day brings something new, and your clinical leadership, decision‑making, and compassion will make a direct impact on patient care and experience. We are looking for dedicated Registered Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists or Social Workers to join our team. The vacancy is in the Hounslow Team, based in West Middlesex University Hospital.
If you have good clinical skills, you enjoy working in a fast paced environment and deal with different cases every day, this role will suit you. You will join a team where learning and professional development are promoted. You will have the opportunity to work autonomously as well as contributing to the team and being supported by the team.
Main duties of the job
You will undertake biopsychosocial assessments for patients who attend the Urgent Treatment Centre or Emergency Department or are admitted on medical wards and have mental health needs. They may present with emotional problems, self-harm or in psychiatric crisis. You will work with patients presenting with psychosomatic disorder and a variety of psychological issues related to physical disorders.
We are commissioned to see all patients aged 16 and above and you will have the opportunity to be involved in the care of CAMHS patients, patients living with Dementia, older adult and adult patients.
You will offer a person-centred approach to patients’ treatment, recovery and well-being. You will be required to make clear autonomous decisions based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and will have access to clinical support and supervision from more senior colleagues in the team. You will promote carer/family involvement where required/appropriate and will liaise with colleagues from other areas of health and social care to coordinate and facilitate safe discharge plans.
You will offer formal and informal training to your peers and acute trust colleagues to enhance patient care. As an integral part of the team, you will be encouraged to share your views and ideas to improve service delivery.
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 and Hounslow). 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
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Adequate post qualifying experience work in psychiatry
2. Experience of supervising staff.
3. Experience of crisis work and undertaking assessments and formulating care plans, risk plans and risk management
4. Safeguarding
5. Working in an MDT setting/ Team work
Desirable criteria
6. Audit and research experience
7. Experience of teaching and training
8. Liaison Psychiatry experience
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
9. Knowledge of bio psychosocial interventions
10. Assessment and treatment of patients who present with self-harm
11. Risk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
12. Excellent communication skills
13. Ability to use de-escalation skills
14. Ability to make clinically safe autonomous decisions
15. Organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload.
Desirable criteria
16. Specialist knowledge of relationship between mental health and physical disorders
17. The legal frame works using the MCA.
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
18. Professional Qualification as RMN/RN (Mental Health) or Registered Occupational Therapist or Registered Social Worker with professional registration (HCPC)
19. ENB 997 or 998 (Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice) or equivalent teaching qualification
20. Assisted Year In Practice (ASYE) if social work qualified
Desirable criteria
21. Educated to degree or diploma level
22. Evidence of recent professional development
23. Other qualification in practice teaching or supervision of staff.
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
24. Ability to work in a high pressure environment
25. Ability to meet deadlines
26. Commitment to equal opportunities
27. Ability to accept constructive criticism
28. Ability to develop based on reflection
29. Awareness of own limitations
Desirable criteria
30. Personal experience of mental health problems