Senior Liaison Practitioner(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

We are inviting applications from qualified Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers, or Occupational Therapists with post-qualifying experience in mental health to join our Psychiatric Liaison Service.

This dynamic role operates within a general hospital environment, providing specialist mental health assessment and treatment to patients with both physical and mental health needs. If you have been hesitant about shift work, we encourage you to discuss flexible patterns—we are committed to accommodating home-life commitments while meeting service needs.

The Senior Liaison Practitioner role is varied and engaging, offering exposure across the Emergency Department and all inpatient wards. You will work within a close-knit, multidisciplinary team, including dual-qualified nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, and administrators.

Every day is different—from organic disorders, psychosis, self-harm, and severe depression, to delirium, dementia, and abnormal health behaviours—making this a challenging yet highly rewarding role.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Undertake specialist assessment and treatment for patients presenting with complex mental and physical health needs.
• Develop patient-centred, recovery-focused care plans, supporting a range of clinical presentations.
• Work flexibly across hospital wards, including occasional evenings, nights, and weekends.

Team Leadership & Development

• Participate in monthly team supervision and twice-monthly teaching sessions, sharing knowledge with colleagues.
• Support the expansion and development of the Liaison Service, contributing to service improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and guide junior staff, students, and colleagues, fostering professional growth and high-quality care standards.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build strong partnerships with multidisciplinary teams, including medical, nursing, and allied health staff.
• Maintain effective communication with patients, families, and carers, ensuring involvement in care decisions.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional standards.

About Us

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust serves approximately two million people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, integrating mental and physical healthcare.

Our services include:

• Community-based mental health support and Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) for adults and young people.
• Specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder, and older adult care.
• Physical health services from urgent community response teams to hospital-at-home care.
• Neurological rehabilitation services for conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s, stroke, and cerebral palsy.
• Support through dedicated centres such as Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth.
• Everything we do is guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

Essential: Registration with either Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), or Social Work England (SW):

• NMC Registration
• HCPC Registration
• Social Work England Registration

Experience

• Essential: Previous experience in mental health services.
• Desirable: Prior experience in Psychiatric Liaison, Crisis Teams, or Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT).

Skills & Attributes

• Strong clinical judgment and risk management skills.
• Adaptable, resilient, and able to work in a fast-paced hospital environment.
• Commitment to collaborative, recovery-focused practice.

Benefits & Working Environment

• Flexible working arrangements: NHS Flexible Working
• NHS Pension Scheme: NHS Pensions
• Access to Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support: NHS Staff Wellbeing
• Professional development opportunities including supervision, CPD, and teaching.
• Inclusive and supportive working culture with peer mentorship and learning opportunities.

Compliance & Checks

• Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS): A DBS check is required in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975: DBS Guidance
• Certificate of Sponsorship: Skilled Worker visa applicants considered: UK Skilled Worker Visa
• Criminal Record Certificates: Required for applicants with overseas residence: Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants
• Professional Registration: Applicants must hold current registration with their relevant professional body: NHS Careers Registration