Clinical Lead

Job summary

The Urgent Care Hub is expanding, and we are seeking a dynamic and motivated Band 6 Clinical Lead to join our established team, helping to manage mental health bed flow across Somerset. You will play a key role in coordinating admissions and discharges across acute, older person's, and PICU inpatient units - working collaboratively with multiple agencies to ensure timely access to care and reduced inpatient stays.

You will join a supportive and skilled team consisting of a Team Manager, another Clinical Lead, Clinical Assistants, a Housing Lead and an Administrator. This role is ideal for a confident mental health professional with excellent clinical judgement, strong communication skills, and the ability to work flexibly and creatively within a fast-paced and evolving environment.

If you're passionate about improving patient experience, reducing unnecessary delays, and making a real difference in mental health care across Somerset, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and become a vital part of our innovative and expanding Urgent Care Hub team.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

• Coordinate all requests for psychiatric admissions and identify the most appropriate bed based on clinical need.

• Monitor and manage bed availability and patient flow across inpatient units.

• Collaborate closely with wards, Home Treatment Teams, local authorities, voluntary sector partners and other stakeholders to minimise delays and support early, safe discharge.

• Provide day-to-day clinical and managerial supervision to Band 4 Clinical Assistants.

• Maintain accurate records on the RiO system and ensure all communications and decisions are appropriately documented.

• Deputise for the Team Manager in their absence.

• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives within the Urgent Care Hub.

• Engage in audit, clinical governance and staff development activities.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

As a Clinical Lead, you will be accountable for maintaining high-quality care across the mental health urgent care pathway, supporting both the operational delivery and the strategic goals of the service. You will act as a senior clinician, managing complex decisions and facilitating safe, effective patient flow.

You will assess and accept referrals for inpatient admission in line with the Urgent Care Hub Standard Operating Procedure and provide direct patient contact during the discharge planning process. A key part of the role involves maintaining an overview of all current inpatients, monitoring their length of stay, treatment progression and discharge barriers. You will work with families and carers using the Triangle of Care principles to ensure they are involved and supported in the process.

You'll also provide leadership by mentoring junior staff, offering clinical supervision, and participating in student placements. You must be confident in multi-agency working, have sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act and current national and local policy, and have a strong ability to make informed clinical decisions under pressure.

We are looking for someone with a "can do" and flexible attitude who can think critically and contribute to system-wide solutions. Support is available through clearly defined escalation pathways and regular supervision.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RMN, DipSW, OT or similar mental health professional
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development.

Experience

Essential

• Post qualification experience working at band 5 or equivalent in community/Inpatient mental health services.
• Experience of appraising and managing others performance and work quality.

Desirable

• Experience at investigating and resolving complaints
• Experience at investigating untoward events and recognising lessons to be learnt
• Experience at deputising for Team Manager

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
• Leading and managing others and delegating appropriately
• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
• Willingness to travel across the Trust.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Laura Hopkins

[email protected]

07748840471