Clinician

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 MHCAS Clinician to join the newly developed Mental Health Crisis and Assessment Service (MHCAS) at Lakeside Mental Health Unit.

As a key member of this innovative service, you will provide rapid assessment, intervention, and risk management for patients presenting in mental health crisis. You will make autonomous clinical decisions regarding admission and discharge, deliver high-quality evidence-based care, and provide specialist advice and liaison support to colleagues across the unit.

The role also includes supervision of junior staff, shift coordination, and active involvement in service development, audit, and teaching. You will act as a role model for best practice, supporting staff and students while ensuring safe, compassionate, and patient-centred care.

We are seeking motivated, skilled clinicians who can combine clinical expertise with leadership and a commitment to improving outcomes for people in crisis.

The Band 6 MHCAS Clinician will play a key role in the newly developed Mental Health Crisis and Assessment Service (MHCAS) at Lakeside Mental Health Unit. The post-holder will be accountable for the comprehensive assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for individuals presenting with a wide range of mental health needs in both emergency and ward based settings. This will include making autonomous clinical decisions regarding admission and discharge, undertaking risk assessments,

• Have theoretical knowledge of mental health liaison emergency and ward based work deploying a wide range of theoretical approaches and utilise a wide variety of clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical setting in which they are required to be seen.
• Be accountable and take direct responsible for carrying out comprehensive assessments including risk assessments unsupervised. Develop, implement, evaluate and document specialist care.
• Undertake PMVA techniques to prevent and manage escalation in terms of patient harm to self and others.
• Work closely with the WLT wide Crisis services and maintain good working practices with all other Crisis and Home Treatment Teams (CAHTT) as a means of ensuring least restrictive practice and outcomes.
• Make autonomous decisions regarding the discharge and admission of patients based on an analysis of complex presenting problems, and judgement about available options within agreed protocols. Direct and guide Resident Doctors on rotation with the service (including locums).
• Provide a consultation-liaison and assessment service to clinicians and clinical teams within the general hospital. This will include giving specialist advice on a range of care, treatment and patient management issues.
• Identify and be responsive to the diverse cultural social and spiritual needs of all.

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’ overall by 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.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Carla Da Costa Coutinho Job title: MHCAS Team Manager Email address: ***email_hidden*** Telephone number: 07484501995