Specialist Clinical Practitioner

Liaison Psychiatry is the sub specialty of Psychiatry involving assessment and management of mental health needs related to physical problems. Clinical presentations span a wide spectrum from organic psychosis, severe depression or somaform disorder to adjustment reactions, delirium, dementia and abnormal health behaviour. The postholder will be a robust critical thinker, making accountable clinical decisions in the unpredictable environment that the Emergency Department can offer.The postholder will be experienced in positive risk management as a way of working. The postholder will have an understanding of diagnostic overshadowing as a reason for apparent MH presentations, as well as understanding and knowledge of physical health conditions that can have a negative impact on mental health.Where a person has urgent physical health needs the ED will generally lead the initial interventions and wherever possible involve the MH Clinical specialist in the initial stages to co-determine what likely requirements there will be for MH assessment and intervention.Has an understanding of common medications that can have a negative impact on mental health presentations.