Band 6 Mental Health Liaison Nurse - Salisbury District Hospital

at  Avon Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

1. Liaison and Consultation 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. 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.
   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. When appropriate, maintain a small caseload of patients, providing a broad range of treatments and clinical interventions, as appropriate to the individuals needs. 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.
   Participate fully in appropriate quality assurance initiatives, with the emphasis on developing patient/service user-focused services. Promote a positive attitude and encourage a supportive culture in relation to mental health and psychiatric illness across the general hospital. 2. Clinical Practice Utilise a range of clinical skills appropriate to the individual patient’s needs and the clinical setting in which they are being cared for.
   Undertake specialist psychosocial assessments with patients presenting following an episode of self-harm. Prompt referral on to secondary mental health services, social services and voluntary groups, as appropriate. Flexible, needs-based follow-up of individuals who require assessment following an earlier attendance after an episode of self-harm. Concise, effective liaison and feedback to clinical staff within the general hospital regarding advice on appropriate management strategies for individuals referred.
   Utilise a range of follow-up options and sources of help and support for patients, as appropriate. Effective liaison and communication with patients, relatives, carers, primary health care and secondary mental health services. Role model clinical excellence and high standards of nursing practice to other staff. 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 Following negotiation, take responsibility for agreed clinical and managerial projects associated with the provision of the Mental Health Liaison Service. In the absence of the clinical team leader, take responsibility for the overall management of the service, to the agreed local and professional standards.
   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. At all times practice within the boundaries of the NMC The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. Supervise, monitor and appraise the performance of registered and unregistered staff within sphere of responsibility. The post-holder will be designated to regularly take charge of the clinical service in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility.
   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 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 Actively participate in the identification of own learning and education needs and demonstrate achievement against personal development plans (PDPs). Participate in the mentoring and education of a range of students placed with the team. Act as a mentor and preceptor, when appropriate. Participate in the planning, development and delivery of multi-professional education programmes and training sessions for a range of clinical and managerial staff.
   Provide clinical supervision to colleagues and students, as required. 6. Clinical governance Promote and encourage user and carer feedback regarding the service. Participate in and undertake appraisal and clinical supervision.
   Adhere to relevant trust health and safety and clinical policies as appropriate

Please refer the Job description for details