Mental Health Liaison Nurse

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We’re looking for people who care about others, take responsibility, treat people with respect and have the confidence to speak up and shape what comes next.

We’re focused on the future, with a clear Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme driving improvement across our services and communities.

What we do

· Adult and older adult mental health

· Children and young people’s mental health

· Specialist learning disability services

· Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley

Why join now

We’ve got real momentum. Clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.

Our culture is built around being compassionate, accountable, respectful and empowering each other - you’ll see this in how teams support patients and colleagues every day.
You’ll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and opportunities to learn and develop.

There’s room to grow. A wide range of services, space to try ideas and a voice that’s heard.

It’s a great place to live. Diverse communities, good transport links, strong schools and green space, with a lower cost of living than many city regions.

What it’s like to work here

You’ll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share pressures and celebrate wins. You’ll be encouraged to take ownership, speak up and learn from experience. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate.

Who we are

We’re 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you’re interested in the role but don’t meet every requirement, please apply — we value potential, different perspectives and people who want to grow.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Job overview

• The aim of the service is to support and assess those attending the acute hospitals who are experiencing a range of mental health problems, have self-harmed or are actively suicidal or are in a mental health crisis
• The post holder will provide specialist mental health assessments and deliver time-limited liaison follow-up support for acute hospital inpatients presenting with complex and enduring mental health needs. The role also includes providing specialist consultation, advice, and guidance to multidisciplinary colleagues on clinical issues in mental health care.
• The post holder will contribute to the continued development and improvement of the Mental Health Liaison Service within Emergency Departments and inpatient wards across the acute hospital settings.
• The service operates in line with the national ‘Core 24’ model, adhering to NICE guidance for the assessment and management of individuals presenting to acute hospitals, as well as the Liaison Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine Policy Implementation Guidance.
• To contribute to Mental Health provision and education programmes within the acute hospitals.

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• Provide evidence-based mental health and risk assessments for individuals presenting to the acute hospital with mental health difficulties, including those who have self-harmed, are experiencing suicidal ideation, or are in acute mental health crisis.
• Respond promptly and effectively to referrals from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit, and inpatient wards/departments across the identified acute Trust sites, ensuring assessments and interventions are completed within agreed service response times.
• Undertake independent comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, formulating person-centred plans and treatment recommendations for patients requiring ongoing support.

Working for our organisation

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.

Across the whole of the region we provide:

• Adult and older adult mental health services
• Specialist learning disability services
• CAMHS

We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health and risk assessments for individuals presenting with acute mental health needs, including those who have self-harmed or are experiencing psychological distress, across the acute hospitals.
• Provide timely and effective responses to referrals received from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Units, and inpatient wards/departments across the acute hospitals, ensuring interventions are delivered within agreed service response times.
• Undertake independent comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments, formulating person-centred care and risk management plans for individuals requiring ongoing support from local mental health services. This includes liaison and referral to services such as Talking Therapies, the Primary Care Mental Health Team, the Community Mental Health Team, Early Intervention Services, Home Treatment Teams, and Inpatient mental health services.
• Work collaboratively with patients, carers, families, and multidisciplinary professionals across services to ensure coordinated care planning and seamless access to appropriate intervention, including voluntary sector and community-based support agencies.
• Use advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills to identify patient needs at the earliest opportunity, minimising duplication of assessments and reducing unnecessary delays in accessing appropriate care and treatment pathways.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation using the Black Country Healthcare electronic patient record system and the relevant acute hospital patient record systems.
• Provide specialist advice, support, and education to patients, carers, and acute hospital colleagues regarding the assessment and management of mental health presentations, including the communication of sensitive and complex information in a compassionate and professional manner.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the relationship between physical and mental health, recognising and responding appropriately to physical symptoms or underlying medical conditions that may influence a patient’s mental health presentation and overall care needs.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Trust-wide Liaison Mental Health Services, promoting safe, effective, and recovery-focused care in line with Trust objectives, NICE guidance, and the national Core 24 model.

Applying and timelines

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you haven’t heard by then, you haven’t been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.

As part of our commitment to fairness, openness and accountability, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar or formatting, we expect that the content of your application especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions is written by you.

Pay and contracts

Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us, your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.

Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

Standards and checks

· Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don’t have it yet, we’ll support you to complete it in post.

· Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won’t automatically prevent employment - we consider the role and individual circumstances.

· We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke-free Trust.

Inclusion, equality and adjustments

· We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, feels respected and is able to thrive.

· We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.

· We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services.

· Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met, and you can ask for reasonable adjustments at any stage.

Our culture and values

Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. Our values Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Empowered guide how we work every day.

That means:

• taking time to understand people and respond with kindness
• being open and taking responsibility for our actions
• listening and valuing different perspectives
• supporting each other to speak up, improve and make a difference

You’ll see this in how teams work together and in the impact you can have on local people.