Physical Health Nurse (RGN)

Job overview

The successful applicant will work closely with MDT colleagues to support timely appointment scheduling where appropriate and, under the guidance of the Physical Healthcare Lead, help deliver an effective and efficient service for our patients. The post holder will contribute to the development and delivery of high-quality physical health screening for patients open to community mental health services.

The role will also involve contributing to the ongoing development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of screening processes and quality standards. In addition, the post holder will support the continued development of the team through participation in supervision, appraisal, and professional development activities.

NB: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require disclosure to be made to the ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ to screen for previous criminal convictions.

Main duties of the job

• Identify and instigate interventions for patients at risk of developing physical health conditions.
• Face to face consultations with mental health patients in clinics and / or in their own homes if required.
• Provide qualified advice and guidance to the HCA team.
• Regular monitoring and interventions for patients with long term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, epilepsy etc
• Prioritise physical health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthily and apply principles of self-care
• Provide information and advice on physical health medication regimes, side effects and interactions if required.
• Potential assessment and management of patients with self-harm wounds.
• Support HCA’s with phlebotomy and ECG’s making sure all are done accurately.
• Support physical health induction and training for new staff and training is required.
• Oversee referrals to dietitians, Health Coach, and stop smoking service.
• Be accessible and provide supervision to junior staff.
• Regularly check physical health supplies/equipment and order as required
• Any other duties that maybe required by management.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will play a key role in improving and maintaining the physical health and wellbeing of patients accessing mental health services. They will provide comprehensive physical health assessments, interventions, monitoring, health promotion, and education, ensuring patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care that supports improved health outcomes.

Clinical Assessment and Care

• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care designed to promote physical health, wellbeing and disease prevention for patients with mental health needs.
• Undertake comprehensive physical health assessments and identify patients at risk of developing long-term health conditions or experiencing deterioration in their physical wellbeing.
• Deliver face-to-face consultations within clinic settings and, where appropriate, in patients' own homes.
• Monitor, assess and manage patients with long-term conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy and cardiovascular disease, ensuring appropriate interventions and onward referrals are made.
• Prioritise physical health concerns and respond appropriately to complex, urgent or emergency situations, initiating immediate care and escalating concerns in line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Support the assessment and management of patients presenting with self-harm wounds, ensuring appropriate treatment, follow-up care and safeguarding measures are implemented where required.
• Provide information, advice and support regarding physical health medications, including potential side effects, interactions and monitoring requirements.

Health Promotion and Prevention

• Develop and deliver health promotion initiatives aimed at improving lifestyle choices and reducing health inequalities among mental health service users.
• Support patients to adopt healthier lifestyles by promoting self-management, self-care and behaviour change strategies.
• Facilitate access to preventative services and ensure timely referrals to appropriate services, including Dietetics, Health Coaching and Smoking Cessation Services.

Physical Health Monitoring

• Ensure the regular monitoring and recording of physical health indicators in accordance with national and local guidance.
• Support and oversee physical health screening programmes to improve the early identification and treatment of physical health conditions.
• Promote adherence to physical health pathways and monitoring requirements for patients prescribed psychotropic medication.

Leadership, Supervision and Support

• Provide professional advice, guidance and clinical support to Healthcare Assistants and other junior members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Act as an accessible resource for staff, providing supervision, support and informal teaching to promote safe and effective clinical practice.
• Contribute to the induction, training and ongoing development of staff in relation to physical health assessment, monitoring and interventions.
• Support Healthcare Assistants undertaking clinical procedures such as phlebotomy and electrocardiography (ECG), ensuring these procedures are performed safely, accurately and in accordance with agreed standards.

Quality, Governance and Service Improvement

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant patient records.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and the quality of physical healthcare provision.
• Ensure care is delivered in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, professional standards and evidence-based practice.

Equipment and Resources

• Maintain oversight of physical health equipment and clinical supplies, ensuring stock levels are monitored and replenished as required.
• Ensure equipment is maintained, stored and used appropriately, reporting any faults or concerns in a timely manner.
• Support the effective use of resources while maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, primary care services, specialist providers and community agencies to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care.
• Liaise effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals to support informed decision-making and positive patient experiences.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information in a clear, professional and compassionate manner.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred physical healthcare services, ensuring the needs of individuals with mental health conditions are recognised, assessed and managed effectively to improve overall health and wellbeing outcomes.