Job summary
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

About us
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.

Details
Date posted: 09 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £27.82 to £44.51 an hour
Contract: Bank
Working pattern: Flexible working
Reference number: 339-BANK4248-DE
Job locations: Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see document attached for a full overview of responsibilities, as well as person specification.

Person Specification
Assessment Experience
Essential

• Evidence of assessment experience community
• Working knowledge of legal frameworks
• Ability to work ambitiously in complex case work

Desirable

• Years experience 4+
• Leadership and compassionate staff management
• Crisis team or equivalent experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Matron - Mental Health Liaison Team, Jaclyn Buglass, jaclyn.buglass@nbt.nhs.uk

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.