Senior Psychiatric Liaison Nurse (SPLN)

Senior Psychiatric Liaison Nurse (SPLN)

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 11 May 2026

We are offering a Senior Psychiatric Liaison Nurse role to work in the Acute Trust Emergency Department and inpatient settings. You will be part of a dynamic Multi‑Disciplinary Team, interfacing between physical and mental health across Croydon University Hospital Emergency Department and inpatient wards. The role supports rapid assessment, crisis management, teaching and leadership in mental health liaison.

Main duties

• Carry out first‑line specialist assessments and crisis risk management plans within the Emergency Department.
• Provide face‑to‑face screening of all referrals to the Mental Health Liaison Team and signpost to primary care when appropriate.
• Make independent decisions on assessment, treatment plans or onward referrals following NICE guidelines.
• Coordinate and triage suitable patients to the Clinical Assessment Unit to improve patient flow.
• Provide clinical leadership for the shift, ensuring performance meets Key Performance Indicators and Trust aims.
• Collect, analyse and evaluate data to audit clinical care and assess team effectiveness.
• Lead on response to challenging or violent incidents in the Emergency Department.
• Record all contacts within SLaM and Croydon University Hospital electronic information systems.
• Liaise with internal and external services, including CMHTs, Police, Ambulance, Social Services, GPs and hospital staff.
• Participate in teaching and training of Emergency Department and other staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate high interpersonal, leadership and empathy skills.

Person Specification

Education

• Registered Mental Health Nurse.
• Evidence of advanced education related to Psychiatric Liaison.
• Mentorship ENB 998 or equivalent.
• Registered General Adult Nurse or formal training in physical health.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Formal training in risk assessment and management.

Experience

• Significant post‑qualifying experience in mental health services with knowledge of inpatient and community services.
• Experience of assessing and managing crisis within acute mental illness.
• Experience with Personality Disorder diagnoses.
• Experience with service users having harmful substance misuse or alcohol issues.
• Ability to oversee mental health service provision and meet user needs.

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation, including MHA 2007, MCA, Human Rights Act and common law.
• Knowledge of risk assessment tools in mental health and acute care.
• Ability to build and maintain professional links and communication with multiple services.
• Experience presenting data for service development.
• Experience of service development, quality improvement and leading change.

Abilities

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care appropriate to the Emergency Department setting.
• Analyse and interpret key documents and identify local policy implications.
• Know the epidemiology, presentation and management of deliberate self‑harm.
• Conduct audits and service evaluations to support development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the physical and psychological effects of alcohol and drugs.

Skills

• Autonomous senior decision making for discharge, sign‑posting and admission.
• Assess and risk‑manage violent self‑harm situations.
• Work at band 6 level or above within psychiatric liaison services.
• Build trust and respect with service users, relatives and staff.

Other Requirements

• Recognise own limitations and seek advice when necessary.
• Manage and prioritise clinical demands, supervision and support, and ED pathways.
• Work across a 24‑hour shift.
• Negotiate and reach compromises, inspiring confidence and respect.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 per annum, including HCAs.

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