Band 6 Mental Health Liaison Nurse - Salisbury District Hospital

at  Avon Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

1. Liaison and Consultation o Be responsible for the full assessment of care needs of patients presenting with a range of undifferentiated mental health and psychological problems. As a result of this assessment, you will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, without direct supervision. o Provide a comprehensive consultation-liaison service to clinical teams, assisting them to formulate appropriate plans of care and make decisions in cases where patients may be exhibiting complex needs and/or challenging behaviours.
   o Initiate and participate in the teaching and educational programmes of all grades of nursing and non-nursing staff. You will also provide teaching and develop learning opportunities for pre and post-registration nursing students. o When appropriate, maintain a small caseload of patients, providing a broad range of treatments and clinical interventions, as appropriate to the individuals needs. o Be responsible for participating in specific clinical projects and undertake all the necessary work to complete these, including facilitating meetings, liaising and/or negotiating with other staff.
   o Participate fully in appropriate quality assurance initiatives, with the emphasis on developing patient/service user-focused services. o Promote a positive attitude and encourage a supportive culture in relation to mental health and psychiatric illness across the general hospital. 2. Clinical Practice o Utilise a range of clinical skills appropriate to the individual patient’s needs and the clinical setting in which they are being cared for.
   o Undertake specialist psychosocial assessments with patients presenting following an episode of self-harm. o Prompt referral on to secondary mental health services, social services and voluntary groups, as appropriate. o Flexible, needs-based follow-up of individuals who require assessment following an earlier attendance after an episode of self-harm. o Concise, effective liaison and feedback to clinical staff within the general hospital regarding advice on appropriate management strategies for individuals referred.
   o Utilise a range of follow-up options and sources of help and support for patients, as appropriate. o Effective liaison and communication with patients, relatives, carers, primary health care and secondary mental health services. o Role model clinical excellence and high standards of nursing practice to other staff. o Demonstrate and apply a sound understanding of the legal and ethical issues in caring for people with mental health problems.
   In particular, demonstrate a sound understanding of the application of the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act and their use within a non-mental health setting. 3. Management o Following negotiation, take responsibility for agreed clinical and managerial projects associated with the provision of the Mental Health Liaison Service. o In the absence of the clinical team leader, take responsibility for the overall management of the service, to the agreed local and professional standards.
   o Ensure the promotion of the health and safety, well-being and interests of patients, staff and visitors that come into contact with the service and its environs. o At all times practice within the boundaries of the NMC The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. o Supervise, monitor and appraise the performance of registered and unregistered staff within sphere of responsibility. o The post-holder will be designated to regularly take charge of the clinical service in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility.
   o You may also be required to undertake a range of management duties in the absence of, or at the request of, the designated team leader. 4. Audit and evaluation o Participate in appropriate audit projects, including data collection, as a means of contributing to the ongoing evaluation and audit of the Mental Health Liaison Service. 5.
   Education o Actively participate in the identification of own learning and education needs and demonstrate achievement against personal development plans (PDPs). o Participate in the mentoring and education of a range of students placed with the team. o Act as a mentor and preceptor, when appropriate. o Participate in the planning, development and delivery of multi-professional education programmes and training sessions for a range of clinical and managerial staff.
   o Provide clinical supervision to colleagues and students, as required. 6. Clinical governance o Promote and encourage user and carer feedback regarding the service. o Participate in and undertake appraisal and clinical supervision.
   o Adhere to relevant trust health and safety and clinical policies as appropriate

Please refer the Job description for details