
Job requirements
Essential
7 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Minimum 12 months post-registration experience as a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) or Registered Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD).
- Experience
Previous experience of working in Community Mental Health Services, inpatient mental health services, or a related clinical setting.
- Experience
Experience of managing a caseload and undertaking mental health assessments, care planning, risk assessment and care coordination.
- Education/Qualifications
RMN/RNLD with current NMC registration
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Enhanced skills in clinical assessment, risk assessment and crisis management.
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Ability to work autonomously, prioritise workload effectively and make informed clinical decisions
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Demonstrable ability to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with service users, carers and families.
Desirable
7 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentorship or acting as a preceptor.
- Experience
Previous involvement in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement or service development activities
- Experience
Evidence of post-registration professional development and a good understanding of mental health legislation, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
- Education/Qualifications
Mentorship qualification
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Enhanced understanding of mental illness, early warning signs of relapse and recovery-focused interventions.
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with multidisciplinary teams and external partner agencies.
- Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with the ability to advocate for the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and those with protected characteristics.
Job overview
The post holder will deliver, or advise on the delivery of, high-quality, safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct.
As a Community Mental Health Nurse, the post holder will promote and develop clinical leadership and evidence-based practice, acting as a positive role model for junior team members. They will support staff development through clinical supervision, appraisal, and education, helping to foster a positive learning environment.
As a senior nurse, the post holder will also encourage collaborative working across teams and organisations to ensure high-quality, recovery-focused care for service users.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver high-quality, safe, recovery-focused mental health nursing care within the community.
- Manage a caseload, undertaking assessments, care planning, intervention and evaluation.
- Complete risk assessments and implement risk management plans to promote safety and wellbeing.
- Administer, monitor and review medication, escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Develop and maintain person-centred care plans in partnership with service users, carers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Provide clinical leadership and support junior staff, students and support workers.
- Supervise, mentor and develop staff through appraisal, clinical supervision and training.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to coordinate effective care delivery.
- Deputise for the Team Manager and support the day-to-day operation of the service when required.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, contributing nursing expertise and clinical judgement.
- Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records.
- Contribute to audit, clinical governance, quality improvement and service development initiatives.
- Promote physical health, wellbeing, independence and recovery through therapeutic interventions.
- Ensure compliance with professional standards, Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and relevant legislation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and develop, implement and review person-centred care plans.
- Manage a defined caseload of service users with complex mental health needs, ensuring effective care coordination and timely interventions.
- Conduct risk assessments and formulate risk management plans to safeguard service users, carers, staff and the wider public.
- Deliver evidence-based nursing interventions that support recovery, independence and social inclusion.
- Monitor, administer and review prescribed medication, including identifying and escalating concerns relating to side effects, effectiveness or non-compliance.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, primary care, social care, voluntary sector organisations and other partner agencies to ensure integrated care delivery.
- Provide specialist advice and support to service users, carers and colleagues regarding mental health care and treatment options.
- Participate in Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act processes as required within the scope of the role.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant clinical records and documentation.
- Support the investigation and management of incidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies.
- Supervise, mentor and support junior staff, students and support workers, contributing to their ongoing professional development.
- Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement activities to enhance patient outcomes and service performance.
- Participate in team meetings, multidisciplinary reviews and case discussions, contributing professional expertise and clinical judgement.
- Promote physical health, wellbeing and health education initiatives as part of a holistic approach to care.
- Ensure all practice is delivered in accordance with professional standards, Trust policies and relevant legislation.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Community Mental Health Nurse with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Dartford, England. It is listed as a Mental health nurse role. The advertised salary is £45953.00 to £54254.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Oct 2026.
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