Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health is now an established position within HLCC. The post-holder is a member of the Psychiatric Liaison Team consisting of a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Lead Nurse in Mental Health, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Administrator. The team works widely across all directorates at RBH and HH. Clinical supervision is provided by the Lead Nurse in Mental Health and/or the Consultant psychiatrist.

The post-holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and will deliver comprehensive psychiatric assessment including risk assessment and risk management plans to patients who are referred to the team.

An important part of the post-holder’s responsibilities will include being a source of mental health knowledge and expertise and providing support to staff in their day-to-day management of patients who present with acute mental health problems.

Liaison with health professionals on the Royal Brompton and Harefield sites and with external mental health services will be a key part of the role with the safe discharge or transfer of patients to their local mental health services being paramount.

Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

• The post holder will be operationally accountable to the Lead Nurse in Mental Health within HLCC for the RBH and HH sites and the Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist for day-to-day operational and managerial issues.
• To provide advice, support, and consultation regarding the psychological and mental health management of patients and their carers, to healthcare professionals.
• The post-holder will prioritise and organise their work effectively and efficiently, including the management of new referrals, an on-going case load and discharges.
• To contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to the overall mental health, psychological and medical care of patients of RBH and HH.
• To be able to work confidently in an autonomous role
• To work collaboratively with all members of multidisciplinary care teams at RBH and HH, providing support and advice where appropriate and attending MDT meetings.
• To demonstrate excellent communication skills and to be able to promote cohesive relationships, look objectively at problems, and problem solve effectively.
• To complete comprehensive mental state examinations including risk assessment and risk management plans in collaboration with relevant healthcare professionals.
• To be responsible for recommending evidence based psychological and psychiatric interventions and planning and reviewing all interventions and care plans.
• To always involve patients, carers and families in the treatment, management, and the formulation of care plans.
• To provide mental health care appropriate to the client’s physical health needs and make appropriate referrals when necessary to the patient’s local primary care services and/or psychiatric/psychology services.
• To ensure that patient safety is always prioritised and that all staff who are responsible for the patient’s care are aware of any significant risks.
• To advise, explain and alert RBH and HH staff to the need to provide increased levels of observation for patients who have been identified as posing an increased risk to themselves or others.
• To promote and work within all relevant guidelines for good clinical practice recommended by professional bodies.
• To foster, create and maintain comprehensive and meaningful networks and relationships with the key people, wards and departments in RBH and HH, ensuring a timely response to the needs of patients with mental health problems in the hospital setting.
• To be directly…