Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

We are looking for innovative, motivated and compassionate mental health professionals to join the Mental Health Liaison Team within Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. This part of our service operates between 9am-5pm 7 days a week, therefore regular weekend working will be required. We would consider part time applications and fixed working patterns but please phone to discuss prior to application.

We offer a dynamic role to work with patients over the age of 18 with either an acute mental health concern or worsening of a pre-existing condition.

As a service, we offer extensive supervision and training to develop your skills, and there are continuous opportunities to work throughout different areas of the hospital. We have weekly complex case discussions to give staff the opportunity to explore specific cases from the previous week. Furthermore, we have daily MDTs to discuss assessments and treatment plans. Our MDTs welcome a variety of different disciplines, including psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, physical health nurses, psychiatrists, and occupational therapists, all with the aim of improving patient outcomes., To provide specialist mental health assessments for older people within Queen Alexandra Hospital.

To provide complete and thorough assessments working alongside the Older Persons Mental Health Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist to support in the new diagnosis of dementia and other psychiatric conditions

To provide support effectively and efficiently to patients who are presenting with a mental health crisis, or who have mental health needs as a result of their physical illness or as a result of being hospitalised

To support staff on wards in the management of patient presenting with a delirium or BPSD.

To advise non-psychiatry staff on outcome of assessment and formulate a care plan based on clinical intervention and risk management.

To provide time limited liaison reviews when needed for those patients with more complex and enduring mental health needs whilst inpatient in Queen Alexandra hospital.

Work positively and collaboratively as an integral part Older Peoples Mental Health services and effectively liaise with multi-agency colleagues, patients, and their supporters.

Contribute to the development and quality of clinical practice of liaison work with this client group at local and national levels.

To provide mental health education, advice and training to clinical staff and students at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

To work 5 days per week on a shift rotational basis. At present OPMH service runs from 9am to 5pm including rotational weekend.

Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.

With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're wholeheartedly committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.

We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to integrate all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services. Our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, is set to launch in July 2024.

The transformation will happen in staggered stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning in early May 2024. The final combination of Southern Health and Solent Trusts is anticipated to occur in July 2024, when the new organisation will be formed.

Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.