South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has emerged to join the Southwark Liaison Team based in Kings College Hospital - Emergency Department.
If you feel you have what it takes to join a dynamic and a thriving team where you will be supported to learn new skills and offer good quality care, please apply.
This is a 12 month fixed term post currently.
Main duties of the job
Every day, you will make a huge difference to the lives of the people we care for, delivering a high standard of care alongside your colleagues in the Emergency Department for patients presenting in crisis.
Working under the direct supervision and guidance of Registered Mental Health Nurses to support the delivery of quality nursing care, contributing to the physical and psychological care in a recovery focused way through therapeutic, enhanced engagement, and taking steps to address any issues that arise.
Working for our organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Working under the direct supervision and guidance of a Registered Mental Health Nurse
Undertake activities to ensure that the fundamentals of care are met - safety, nutrition, hydration, hygiene, care, and emotional support.
Provide enhanced care to patients in the Emergency Department including:
Undertaking 1-1 enhanced and supportive engagement with patients in an open and non- judgmental way.
Recognising and valuing patients as individuals, acknowledging the importance of maintaining the patients respect and dignity at all times and ensure that the care provided respects equality and diversity.
Escalating any concerns especially regarding to risk and safety to a Registered Nurse.
Monitoring and recording clinical observations as directed, such as physical observations and vital signs and escalating as appropriate any signs or symptoms of deterioration and updating risk reviews.
supporting patients and their families/ carers during crisis, the Emergency Department can be a stressful environment and you will be required to offer reassurance and therapeutic containment during throughout the patients pathway.
See enclosed JD for details on main responsibilities.
Person specification
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria Care Certificate. English and Mathematics basic qualifications (e.g. GCSE at grade C or above) or equivalent.
Desirable criteria Level 2/3 Health and Social care qualification / working towards qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria At least one year as a Healthcare Support Worker, or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable criteria Lived experience of mental health problems
Skills
Essential criteria Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision, and acting on own initiative, within protocols, policies and care plans. Resilient: able to respond appropriately to potential difficult interpersonal situations or demands of the role including distress and agitation. Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times. Communications skills - receiving and conveying information accurately with staff and with service users and able to keep accurate records. clinical skills of supporting patients in distress
Desirable criteria Experience in working with patients in crisis Experience of working with patients with drug and alcohol issues
Other Requirements
Essential criteria Flexibility to work 24hr Shifts, 7 days a week across busy clinical areas. Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times, including significant self-harm. Ability to fulfil all the requirements of the role (including physical requirements) - experience of working in a fast pace, busy environment.
The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by: Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity
Please note: That all applications for this post will need to be made online That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process That we are a smoke-free Trust
SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
JD/ PS Clinical Support Worker in ED (PDF, 544.5KB) SLaM Staff Benefits (PDF, 1.1MB) Happy to Talk Flexible Working (PDF, 680.1KB)