Job summary
- Main area
- Mental health -Psychiatric liaison
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
- Job ref
- 263-CCG25-236-JW
- Employer
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Sunderland Royal Hospital
- Town
- Sunderland
- Salary
- £27,485 - £30,162 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Assistant Practitioner (AHP)
Band 4
Hello!
We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.
Opportunities for you
Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.
We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.
- Cultural diversity staff network
- Disabled staff network
- LGBT+ staff network
We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:
- Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
- Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
- Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group
We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.
Always improving
CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?
Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for highly motivated individuals who are looking to become an integral part of Psychiatric Liaison Team. The Assistant Practitioner Role (band 4) is an innovative role within the Psychiatric Liaison Team working to support complex individuals with mental health needs whilst in the Emergency Department, wards within the hospital and support into the community.
· The post holders main responsibility will be to build therapeutic relationships with individuals to provide short term evidence based therapeutic interventions across defined pathways.
· The post holder will work with individuals who frequently attend hospital to reduce re attendance to hospital and support access to alternative provision.
· The post holder will have experience in supporting individuals in distress, providing distraction and support whilst awaiting Mental health Act assessments or whilst waiting for a psychiatric bed in ensuring a safe environment in a busy emergency department.
·
Candidates should have experience of working with services users with complex needs and be able to support their carers, families and any other services involved in the service user’s care and treatment.
·
The candidate will be expected to demonstrate enhanced skills and experience to support a robust assessment, managing risks and act accordingly in response to any safeguarding concerns.
Main duties of the job
Work under clinical supervision
Deliver 1:1 and group treatment
Provide low level psycho-education
Review and update care plans
Attend MDT meetings, i.e. therapy supervision as appropriate within the service to contribute to clinical discussions.
Contribute to observations of the patients, re current levels of risk.
Establish and maintain therapeutic partnerships with Patients and Carers in the delivery of delegated Interventions.
Develop negotiating, empathetic and motivational skills
Contribute effectively to clinical discussions reporting concerns and changes to risks in a timely manner.
Advocate on behalf of the Service User within a range of services ensuring, as far as possible, that they reflect their needs and wishes.
Demonstrate an awareness of Mental Health legislation
Develop relationships in community resources and providers
Actively work to enhance and develop personal skills utilising a programme of CPD, supervision and trust appraisal.
Working for our organisation
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 1st July 2025
Closing date : 15th July 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in supporting training
knowledge and expereince
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with complex mental health needs
- Experience of delivering therapeutic interventions
- Experience of reviewing care plans and risk assessments
- input into MDT meetings and forums
Desirable criteria
- experience of working with children, adults and older adults
Skills and compotencies
Essential criteria
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- ability to work autonomously at times
- Skilled in engaging others
Personal charachteristics
Essential criteria
- Good time management and organisation skills
- Willing to work Flexibily
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rachel Milford
- Job title
- Clinical lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0191 5410145
- Additional information
List jobs with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors