Urgent Care Practitioner – Mental Health Liaison (Band 6)
Full Time – 37.5 hours | Permanent | Brighton
An opportunity to work at the interface between physical and mental health within a fast‑paced hospital environment.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced practitioner to join the Mental Health Liaison Team based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
This role sits within the Urgent Care pathway, supporting patients attending the general hospital who require specialist mental health assessment and intervention.
About the role
As an Urgent Care Practitioner, you will provide timely specialist mental health assessments and interventions for patients presenting to hospital with a wide range of mental health needs.
These may include:
- Self‑harm and crisis presentations
- Psychological adjustment to physical illness
- Co‑existing physical and mental health conditions
- First‑time presentations to mental health services
You will work closely with general hospital teams, supporting both patients and clinical colleagues through consultation, assessment and teaching.
Key responsibilities include:
- Undertaking specialist mental health assessments within the hospital setting
- Developing and implementing person‑centred care plans
- Working collaboratively with patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams
- Supporting urgent care pathways including Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams and The Haven
- Contributing to teaching and knowledge‑sharing with acute hospital staff
- Supporting safe and timely onward care planning
You will primarily work within the older adults liaison service, with some cross‑cover across working‑age services where required.
The role forms part of the Trust’s move towards CORE 24 liaison psychiatry standards, supporting delivery of a 24/7 urgent mental health service.
Working pattern
Older Adults Service: 09:00 – 17:00 across 7 days
Working Age Service:
Why join Sussex Partnership Urgent Care Services?
- Opportunity to work across urgent care services including liaison psychiatry, crisis teams and The Haven
- Exposure to complex and varied clinical presentations
- Robust induction and strong clinical supervision
- Supportive multidisciplinary team environment
- Opportunities to develop skills across urgent and acute mental health care
This post also attracts the Trust’s £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses and Practitioners (subject to terms and conditions).
Why Brighton?
Brighton offers vibrant city living alongside the South Coast, with easy access to the South Downs National Park and excellent transport links to London and Gatwick Airport.
About you
You will be a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with strong assessment and therapeutic skills and the confidence to work in a fast‑paced acute environment.
You will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
- Excellent mental health assessment and risk management skills
- Ability to work autonomously while contributing to multidisciplinary teams
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
- Ability to remain calm and effective in high‑pressure situations
Experience working within urgent care, liaison psychiatry, crisis teams or acute mental health services would be advantageous but is not essential.
Location: Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Days and nights as part of a 24/7 service
Our commitment
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and from disabled candidates who are currently under‑represented within our organisation.
If you are passionate about urgent mental health care and want to work in a dynamic hospital liaison service supporting patients at times of crisis, we would love to hear from you.
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