About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding role within frontline mental health crisis care?
The Mental Health Single Point of Access (MH SPA) is seeking experienced Band 6 Crisis Care Practitioners to join our dynamic and supportive team in London.
This is a unique opportunity to work within a fast paced, high pressure crisis service supporting patients across both the MH SPA and NHS 111 Mental Health service. The role combines telephone triage, complex clinical decision making, face to face community assessments and support to junior colleagues, offering excellent exposure to a broad range of acute mental health presentations.
As part of our service, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health crisis, often managing high risk, complex and emotionally demanding situations requiring rapid assessment, sound clinical judgement and confident decision making.
This is an excellent development opportunity for clinicians wishing to strengthen their crisis assessment, risk management and autonomous practice skills within a senior clinical role.
We are proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment, with strong peer support, reflective practice and leadership oversight in recognition of the emotionally demanding nature of crisis work.
Main duties of the job
As a Crisis Care Practitioner, you will provide urgent mental health assessment and intervention for individuals contacting the service in crisis, whether for themselves or others.
The role involves:
Managing complex and high risk triage calls, undertaking robust mental health and risk assessments in time-sensitive situations Completing face to face community assessments for patients requiring urgent in person review Formulating risk management and crisis plans to support safe and effective patient care Working autonomously to make clinical decisions within a fast paced environment Liaising with partner agencies including GP's, police, ambulance services, emergency departments and community mental health teams to coordinate safe care pathways Supporting and guiding junior staff with clinical decision making and risk formulation Managing referrals effectively to ensure patients access the most appropriate service and unnecessary hospital admissions are avoided Maintaining accurate, contemporaneous clinical documentation and records Contributing to service improvement and ongoing development of crisis pathways
This role requires clinicians who are resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm and professionally curious under pressure. Successful applicants must be confident managing competing demands, uncertainty and emotionally challenging situations whilst maintaining compassionate, patient centred care.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualification Essential
Relevant professional qualification, e.g. Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD), Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Counsellor Current registration with relevant professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC, SWE, BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BPS) Educated to degree level standard plus postgraduate diploma or equivalent level of experience Specialist knowledge of mental health in relation to crisis, including assessment and management of risk Demonstrable clinical knowledge and experience of mental health, including triage, assessment and support for individuals with complex needs Evidence of Continuing Professional Development within a mental health setting Understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by people with serious mental health issues
Desirable
Degree in a health-related subject Qualification in psychosocial interventions in mental health KUF training Additional training in brief interventions for people in crisis or emotional distress Full UK driving licence
Experience Essential
Experience of providing clinical support to people in mental health crisis or acute emotional distress Experience of carrying out crisis mental health assessments and risk formulations Experience of working autonomously and using own initiative in pressured environments Experience of telephone or remote (video/tele-triage) assessment and support Experience of prioritising tasks in a busy clinical environment Experience of multi-disciplinary team working and inter-agency collaboration Experience of receiving and engaging in clinical supervision
Desirable
Experience with telephone triage services (SPA, crisis line, 111*2) Experience in psychiatric liaison or home treatment services Experience supervising or mentoring staff and/or students Experience facilitating wellbeing sessions with colleagues or service users Experience of working with people across the lifespan Experience of working to agreed targets and demonstrating clinical outcomes Evidence of working in the local community
Knowledge & Skills Essential
High standard of written and spoken English Knowledge of relevant mental health law (MHA, MCA) Excellent telephone manner and ability to engage empathetically in high-risk or emotive situations Competence in structured risk assessment and crisis safety planning Strong and adaptable communication skills (written and verbal) Ability to type quickly and accurately IT literacy, including MS Office and electronic health records High level of analytical and judgement skills Ability to work without direct supervision Ability to recognise own wellbeing needs and maintain resilience
Desirable
Ability to speak another community language Ability to work effectively with interpreters Knowledge of RiO or other NHS electronic record systems Knowledge of outcome measures and use in audit Knowledge of different mental health models and evidence-based psychosocial interventions Ability to appropriately challenge and resolve conflict
Personal Qualities Essential
Ability to work under pressure in high-risk situations Flexible and positive approach to shift work, including nights and weekends Empathy and ability to contain distress while maintaining professional boundaries Proactive, reflective, and self-aware approach to practice Committed to high-quality care and continuous learning Ability to manage potentially distressing or traumatic situations
Desirable
Evidence of self-development Evidence of supporting others in their development
Requirements Essential
Able to participate in a 24 hour shift rota including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays, 365 days per year. Able to undertake breakaway training and maintain competency where required for the role.
Desirable
Holds a UK Driving Licence
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 West London NHS Trust
Address St Bernard’s Hospital
Uxbridge Road
Southall London
UB1 3EU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)