SPA/Out of Hours Crisis Response (OOHCR) Practitioner: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We’re offering a unique opportunity to join our Single Point of Access (SPA) team — a service at the forefront of digital innovation and urgent mental health care within the Jameson Urgent Care pathway. As our service continues to evolve, SPA now provides Out of Hours face-to-face crisis assessments overnight (8pm-8:30am), supporting people across London when they need us most.

We’re looking for motivated Band 6 clinicians (nurses, social workers, occupational therapists) or Band 5 practitioners seeking a supported development pathway — who want to build confidence, autonomy and specialist skills in crisis assessment and community-based urgent care. You’ll be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team based at the Gordon Hospital in Victoria, working with London’s richly diverse population and gaining experience with both first-time mental health presentations and complex, severe mental illness.

SPA operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We provide telephone triage, advice, signposting and support for patients, carers, GPs and referrers, alongside our overnight crisis response function. As part of the Out of Hours team, you’ll travel across Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster to carry out timely crisis assessments, arrange appropriate support, and help reduce avoidable Emergency Department attendance by keeping people safely supported in their communities.

Main duties of the job

As a SPA/OOH Practitioner you will work as part of a dynamic team, managing crisis calls into the service, undertaking a clinical triage and deciding on the correct care pathway for that caller, referring callers into secondary adult MH services where appropriate, or signposting callers into non-statutory, third sector services. You will also undertake initial triage and assessments for people referred into the service , signposting and referring on as appropriate. You will be expected to co-ordinate shifts and manage and supervise more junior staff within the team.

You will also work nights and undertake visits to assess patients in their homes, always working in pairs. The role will require skilled assessment, onward referrals to CNWL services indicated and signposting similar to the telephony work. Strong clinical risk assessment and formulation skills are essential for this role as well as an excellent understanding of the range of both statutory and non-statutory mental health services available.

This role offers a rare chance to develop high-value clinical skills in crisis work, risk assessment, autonomous decision-making and culturally competent practice — all within a supportive team committed to learning, reflection and continuous improvement. Postholders will work a flexible pattern across day and night shifts and preferably hold a valid UK driving license.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience as a clinician in an acute or community mental health setting

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, via telephone and in writing
• Assessing patients via telephone and in person, identify needs and implement treatment/support plans in a timely fashion.
• Strength in brief interventions and empowering service users to achieve their goals
• Have strong understand of safeguarding responsibilities and able to raise concerns with the appropriate statutory bodies where needed.
• Understanding how the Mental Health Act impacts on your work and the people you are working with
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, side effects and contraindications

Education

Essential

• Current NMC/HCPC Registered as RMN, OT or SW – Professional Registration
• Evidence of relevant Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

• Practice Assessor/Supervisor qualification

Other

Desirable

• Holds a valid UK Driving License

Closing Date: 11 October 2026