Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Psychiatric Liaison Nurse
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Job Overview
We are seeking several dynamic and skilled psychiatric liaison nurses to join our multidisciplinary teams at Northwick Park Hospital. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to work in a rapidly developing mental health team, to develop clinical and interpersonal skills, and to make a meaningful contribution to clinical care. The liaison psychiatry team provide psychiatry input to the inpatient wards and emergency department for all patients from age 18 upwards, including older adults.
We work closely with both inpatient medical/surgical specialties and mental health services. The cases we encounter reflect the whole spectrum of psychiatric conditions, from common and severe mental disorders, people with drug and alcohol use disorders, to somatoform disorders, organic behavioural disorders, and people who have harmed themselves.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work in an assessment-driven team with specialists in several disciplines. Supervision is provided on a monthly basis. Training opportunities are available. The successful candidate will be able to take on leadership roles within the service to develop in their chosen areas. Clinicians who have been in post developing their skills over a year or more have recently progressed into higher bands in multiple specialities including primary care, older adult, perinatal, CAMHS, and senior management positions. The role will enhance your current skills allowing you to work towards your career goals.
Main duties of the job
You will be a key player of the multidisciplinary team, offering specialist psychiatric advice in the acute hospital setting across medical wards and/or A&E, you will also be expected to work in the Mental health A&E (MHED) once built. Successful candidates will be expected to use their clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients who are going through the MHEC for short periods of ongoing assessment. The successful candidate will work across A&E, Mental Health A&E, NWP Medical wards, and MHEC.
You will be well supported by an established team which includes three consultant liaison psychiatrists, a clinical team manager, team leaders, psychiatric liaison nurses, an alcohol specialist nurse, and an older adult specialist nurse, providing a 24/7 on-site psychiatry service in London Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust.
The posts are available to start as soon as possible. You must have excellent clinical skills, be able to demonstrate an ability to complete comprehensive mental state examinations, thoroughly assess risk, formulate safe and effective risk management plans, and document this clearly and concisely. You must have a warm and friendly disposition and have very good communication and interpersonal skills. You must also be confident and motivated, flexible, and be able to show initiative in an environment which can be demanding and stressful.
Working for our organisation
There’s a place for you at CNWL
We’re passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe, and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic, or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.
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Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.
We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams, and the Trust. With every new employee, we’re hoping to find our future leaders, and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.
With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities, and more – whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact us to find out more about the post or arrange a visit.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The liaison psychiatry team at Northwick Park operates a 24-hour service, and successful applicants will be expected to work on rotating shift patterns (day and nights shifts) for A&E or 37.5 hours a week for medical wards doing either 9-5 or 8-6 shifts Mon - Sun. This role will also include covering in the Mental Health A&E once built and open.
- Provide assessment of health needs of all patients over the age 18, including those who self-harm, have learning disabilities, have substance misuse issues, have perinatal mental health issues, or have mental health difficulties commonly associated with old age, including dementia.
- To provide clinical assessment and skilled management of patients in the Mental Health Emergency Centre to facilitate short periods of ongoing assessment and discharge planning.
- Provide support and information for significant others involved in patient care, or referral to appropriate agencies.
- Work alongside members of the Trust’s Psychological team and attend meetings and ward rounds. Feedback information regarding patients as required.
- Liaise with other disciplines working within the community to offer input, education, and support regarding patient care. Give information/support to those who call the service regarding mental health issues and documenting as required.
- Maintain confidential up-to-date records and provide letters, reports, statistical, and audit information as required, always adhering to NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) guidelines.
- To be the first line of contact for section 136 (MHA 1983) patients. Arranging for the Approved Mental Health Practitioner and section 12 approved doctor to attend A&E. Assessing patient with the duty doctor as part of the section 136 assessment process.
- To provide practical advice, support, guidance, and information to newly rostered SHOs.
- To provide support and advice to patients, GPs, and others regarding prescribed medication, treatment, and referrals to other agencies.
- The post holder will be able to work flexible and work unsocial hours as necessary to provide assessment and support for service users.
- To provide psychiatric liaison service to service users admitted to medical wards.
- To provide support and guidance to new members of the team, as well as students.
- To provide clinical assessment and review of patients transferred to the MHEC.
- To manage the day-to-day running of the MHEC on certain shifts including medication administration, review of complex cases, and liaising with outside services to facilitate safe discharge plans.
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Person specification
Training/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- RMN on live register.
- Educated to diploma level or equivalent in Psychiatric Nursing, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or a related discipline.
- Experience of supporting students and Ability to teach and assess learners.
- Evidence of an active interest in further professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Other courses relevant to liaison psychiatry.
- Qualified as RGN.
- Post Graduate Degree.
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience (as a qualified nurse) in any combination of the following; Liaison Psychiatric Nurse, acute psychiatric setting, working within a CMHT, Older adults, Home treatment teams.
- Experience of Risk assessment/management.
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills/biopsychosocial assessment.
- Ability to interpret research and apply to practice.
Desirable criteria
- Other relevant post-registration experience.
- Experience interpreting research and applying it to practice.
- Care and management of persons with HIV/AIDS in relation to psychiatry.
- Experience in management of Substance Misuse.
- Experience in Quality Improvement projects and methodology.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
- A comprehensive understanding of the Mental Health Act (1983).
- A comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and its principles.
- Specialist knowledge of mental health problems and their relationship to physical disorders.
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively.
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options.
- Ability to work in a stressful environment and prioritise workload and work as part of a team.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (written and oral).
- Ability to reflect on and evaluate one’s own practice.
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person.
Desirable criteria
- Efficient with all commonly used Microsoft Applications. Experience using different clinical systems.
- Qualification in Education and willingness and ability to facilitate teaching sessions.
- Experience using different clinical systems.
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