Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Practitioner – Mental Health Liaison Team (BANK)
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North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Merger
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Flexible Working
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job Overview
The Band 7 Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) Bank Practitioner provides specialist mental health assessment, risk management and intervention for patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Medical Unit (AMU). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will deliver high-quality, patient-centered mental health care to individuals experiencing acute mental illness, self-harm, suicidal ideation, behavioural disturbance, substance misuse, dementia, delirium and complex psychosocial crises.
As a senior clinician within the Mental Health Liaison Team, the post holder will provide expert mental health assessment, formulation and care planning for patients with complex presentations. They will work collaboratively with acute hospital colleagues and external partners to ensure patients receive timely assessment, appropriate treatment and onward referral to the most suitable services.
The post holder will support the day-to-day operational delivery of the liaison service during bank shifts, providing clinical leadership, advice and guidance to colleagues where required, whilst maintaining high standards of clinical practice, documentation and risk management.
The role requires a practitioner who can work autonomously within a fast-paced acute hospital environment, demonstrate sound clinical judgement and effectively manage competing priorities.
Main Duties of the Job
- Undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments for patients presenting to ED and AMU.
- Assess, formulate and manage risk relating to self-harm, suicide, mental illness, behavioural disturbance and vulnerability.
- Develop and implement appropriate care and risk management plans.
- Provide specialist advice and consultation to acute hospital staff regarding the assessment and management of patients with mental health needs.
- Support decision-making regarding admission, discharge and appropriate onward referral pathways.
- Liaise effectively with community mental health teams, crisis services, primary care, social care, safeguarding teams and other partner agencies.
- Facilitate safe and effective patient flow through the acute hospital by supporting timely assessment and discharge planning.
- Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and documentation.
- Escalate concerns appropriately and contribute to maintaining patient safety and quality of care.
- Act as a senior clinician and role model, providing support and guidance to less experienced staff where required.
- Participate in clinical supervision, mandatory training and continuing professional development.
- Work in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
- Contribute positively to multidisciplinary team working and maintain effective working relationships across services.
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Working for our Organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please see document attached for a full overview of responsibilities, as well as person specification.
Person Specification
Assessment Experience
Essential Criteria
- Evidence of assessment experience community
- Working knowledge of legal frameworks
- Ability to work ambitiously in complex case work
Desirable Criteria
- Years experience 4+
- Leadership and compassionate staff management
- Crisis team or equivalent experience
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
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Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Staff Care
The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Immigration Requirements
To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
Data Protection
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Scams
Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
Important
Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.
When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.
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