Job summary
We are pleased to be recruiting three Mental Health Liaison Nurses to join our expanding Crisis Assessment Unit (CAU), working alongside the Core 24 Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) at St Thomas' Hospital. This growth reflects increasing demand for high-quality mental health care in A&E and across the acute hospital, as well as the significant service improvements achieved over the past six months.

We are seeking adaptable, motivated nurses who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are keen to be part of further service development. The role offers a valuable opportunity to gain and enhance skills in liaison psychiatry, crisis assessment, and the mental-physical health interface.

As a Mental Health Liaison Nurse, you will be an advocate for mental health within the hospital, supporting colleagues in managing patients presenting with complex needs and working closely with specialist services including Older Adults, Perinatal Mental Health and Neuropsychiatry. Out-of-hours work includes assessments for these pathways. The team operates 24/7, and applicants must be able to work a full shift pattern including nights and weekends.

If you are passionate about improving emergency mental health care and want to contribute to the development of a modern, responsive liaison service, we welcome your application.

Main duties of the job
St Thomas' Hospital is a major London teaching hospital within Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners. The Crisis Assessment Unit (CAU) is a dedicated, therapeutic space within the Emergency Department for people experiencing an acute mental health crisis. It forms a key part of the hospital's emergency pathway and works closely with the Core 24 Mental Health Liaison Team.

Within CAU, Mental Health Liaison Nurses complete specialist biopsychosocial assessments, develop person-centred risk management and care plans, and work collaboratively with ED staff, acute medical teams and partner agencies to ensure safe, timely and effective patient care. The role includes coordinating patient flow through the mental health pathway and acting as nurse in charge, ensuring the safe running of the unit and maintaining high clinical standards.

The post holder will support holistic care planning with patients, families and carers; advocate for mental health across the hospital; and provide timely advice to colleagues managing complex presentations. Strong knowledge of the mental-physical health interface and experience supporting individuals affected by substance or alcohol misuse are essential.

About us
South London & Maudsley are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that's why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

• Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
• Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
• Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
• Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars.
• Accommodation, our staff benefits from keyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
• NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.

Other benefits include:

• Counselling services
• Wellbeing events
• Long service awards
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Childcare vouchers
• Staff restaurants

We look forward to receiving your application.

Job responsibilities
Mental Health Liaison Nurses working within CAU play a central role in the assessment, care and flow of patients presenting to the acute hospital with mental health needs. The post holder will:

• Deliver specialist biopsychosocial assessments for adults in crisis, developing robust, person-centred formulations and evidence-based risk management and care plans.
• Lead and coordinate the clinical activity within CAU, acting as the nurse in charge on shift. This includes ensuring safe day-to-day operation of the unit, overseeing patient flow, and maintaining adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Support efficient patient movement through the emergency pathway, working closely with acute hospital colleagues to prevent delays, avoid unnecessary admissions, and ensure mental health presentations are managed in a timely and clinically appropriate manner.
• Work collaboratively with ED teams, medical wards, partner agencies and community services to develop holistic plans of care alongside patients, their families, carers, or friends ensuring continuity, safety and a positive patient experience.
• Advocate for mental health within the acute hospital, providing clinical advice, education and support to colleagues caring for patients with complex mental, physical, and social needs.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse
• Practice assessor and/or leadership qualifications

Desirable

• Master's Degree or Post-Graduate study in relevant field

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Experience of research-based/reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice
• Significant relevant clinical experience.
• Experience as a Preceptor / Practice Assessor
• Knowledge of relevant Professional and Clinical legislation
• Experience undertaking biopsychosocial assessments and risk management plans

Desirable

• Experience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit
• Experience of managing a caseload in the community
• Experience engaging in quality improvement
• Experience in crisis intervention

Skills
Essential

• Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision
• Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations.
• Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others
• Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
• Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues

Desirable

• Problem solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework
• Skilled in supervision of others, and in providing critical and constructive feedback.

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.