Clinical Nurse Specialist - Liaison Psychiatry

Published: Published today

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist - Liaison Psychiatry to join our friendly and innovative team within the City and Weston Hospital Operating Unit, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Registered Mental Health Nurse to join our dynamic and accredited Liaison Psychiatry Service. The post holder will provide specialist mental health assessments across the Emergency Department and acute hospital, supporting patients presenting with self-harm, suicidality, behavioural disturbance, psychological distress and other complex mental health needs.

You will undertake comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, coordinate care plans, provide expert advice to patients, carers and clinical teams, and act as an autonomous practitioner within the multidisciplinary team.

Working closely with nursing, medical and allied health professionals, you will provide clinical leadership, contribute to service development, support education and training, and promote best practice in mental health care across the Trust.

Applicants should have a minimum of two years' experience at Band 6 level or above within Liaison Psychiatry, Crisis Services or a similar acute mental health setting.

For further details/informal visits contact:
Holly Starkey, Modern Matron
[email protected]

Advert

Provide expert specialist nursing assessment, advice and support to patients presenting with complex mental health needs within the acute hospital setting.
Undertake comprehensive biopsychosocial, mental health and risk assessments, developing and coordinating appropriate care plans.
Act as an autonomous practitioner, providing specialist advice and guidance to patients, carers, ward teams and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Lead on the assessment and management of patients presenting with self-harm, suicidal ideation, behavioural disturbance, cognitive impairment and other acute mental health presentations.
Work collaboratively with acute, community, social care and mental health services to ensure seamless, patient-centred care and effective discharge planning.
Provide leadership, supervision and support to nursing staff and contribute to the professional development of the wider multidisciplinary team.
Deliver education and training to acute hospital staff, promoting mental health awareness and best practice across the Trust.
Participate in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and service development initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery.
Promote patient, carer and public involvement in service evaluation and development.
Support the delivery of a safe, responsive and high-quality Liaison Psychiatry service in line with Trust and national standards.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. 

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.