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Lead Nurse for Mental Health


Location
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Salary
£59,798 - £67,020 (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)
Profession
Nurse (adult and children)
Grade
Band 8
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
14 Aug 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

Are you a passionate and experienced Mental Health Nurse looking for a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others? We are currently seeking a Band 8a Mental Health Nurse to join our dynamic and supportive Enhance Care team.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience working in mental health, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality care to patients with complex needs.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of benefits including ongoing professional development opportunities, flexible working options, and a supportive and inclusive work environment. If you are a dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Nurse looking to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our team and help us provide the highest level of care to those in need. Look forward to hearing from you

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities of the role include: - Providing expert clinical leadership and support to junior staff members - Developing and implementing care plans for patients with a range of mental health conditions - Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic care - Contributing to the continuous improvement of mental health services through research and quality improvement project - Supporting the Head of Nursing-Mental Health to deliver parity of esteem for mental health patients in an acute hospital setting

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will support the day to day management of the alcohol liaison and smoking cessation teams. Will provide expert mental health clinical advice and consultancy to other Trust professional groups of staff. Working in partnership with mental health and Trust colleagues to ensure mental health patients receive person centred, holistic care, treatment and support.

Act as an autonomous independent mental health practitioner, providing expert mental health clinical nursing practice, expert knowledge, analytical skills and clinical decision making to ensure mental health patients are receiving the right care and treatment. A senior member of the Access and Medicine Divisional nursing team, with professional nursing leadership and ensuring parity of esteem for the management of patients presenting in mental health crisis To lead and deliver the nursing aspects of the Trust mental health strategy and action plan.

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.

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Broad clinical and managerial experience in mental health nursing at a senior level
  • Proven mental health nursing leadership and management experience
  • Evidence of achievement and ongoing personal professional development
  • Evidence of working across boundaries and with partners to improve mental health pathways
  • Evidence of implementing significant organisational change, underpinned by audit, research and quality improvement
  • Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current mental healthcare policy/national & local guidance/CQC and appreciate the implications of this for the Trust and service delivery
  • Clinical expertise and knowledge of mental health patient pathways, care and treatment
  • Evidence of delivering improved patient experience and engagement

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current NMC registration: Mental Health Registered Nurse
  • MSc qualification or equivalent

Desirable

  • Quality Improvement qualification
  • Alcohol, smoking and substance misuse qualification

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Lead Nurse for Mental Health with Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. It is listed as a Band 8 Nurse (adult and children) role. The advertised salary is £59,798 - £67,020 (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 31 Aug 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (14 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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