Registered Mental Health Nurse

Job overview

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse to join Kinver Ward at Bushey Fields Hospital. Kinver ward is a 16 bedded male acute mental health ward and 1 Place of safety bed.

The successful candidate will provide safe, effective and person-centred care to individuals experiencing a range of mental health needs.

You will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate nursing care, manage clinical risks and support patients with their recovery goals. Working collaboratively with patients, carers and partner services, you will contribute to care planning, medication management, safeguarding and the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment.

You will be expected to communicate effectively, maintain accurate clinical records and work in accordance with professional standards, Trust policies and the NMC Code. The role may involve supporting junior staff and students, responding to clinical incidents and contributing to service improvement.

This opportunity is suitable for a newly qualified or experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse who is committed to delivering high-quality care and promoting dignity, choice, inclusion and recovery.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating safe, effective and person-centred nursing care for individuals with mental health needs.

Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will:

• Manage an allocated caseload and act as named nurse for identified patients.
• Complete comprehensive mental health, physical health and risk assessments.
• Develop, review and evaluate collaborative care and recovery plans.
• Administer medication safely and monitor its effectiveness and potential side effects.
• Promote recovery, independence, dignity and involvement in care.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic clinical environment.
• Respond appropriately to changes in presentation, incidents and emergencies.
• Apply safeguarding procedures and escalate concerns promptly.
• Maintain clear, accurate and timely clinical records.
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Participate in handovers, ward rounds, clinical reviews and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Support the supervision and development of healthcare support workers, students and newly appointed staff.
• Work in accordance with the NMC Code, relevant legislation, Trust policies and professional standards.
• Contribute to clinical audits, quality improvement and service development activities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work as a member of the multidisciplinary team to provide safe, effective and person-centred care to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. They will be responsible for assessing patients’ needs, developing and delivering appropriate care interventions, managing clinical risks and evaluating outcomes.

The post holder will work in accordance with the NMC Code, relevant legislation, national guidance and organisational policies and procedures.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive mental health, physical health and psychosocial assessments.
• Assess, monitor and manage risks relating to self-harm, suicide, vulnerability, violence, aggression, exploitation and safeguarding.
• Develop, implement, review and evaluate person-centred care and recovery plans in collaboration with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team.
• Act as named nurse or care coordinator for an identified group of patients, where required.
• Deliver evidence-based nursing interventions that promote recovery, independence, dignity and wellbeing.
• Monitor patients’ mental and physical health and respond promptly to any deterioration or change in presentation.
• Support patients to understand and participate in decisions about their care, treatment and recovery goals.
• Promote the involvement of carers, families and advocates, subject to patient consent and information-governance requirements.
• Administer medication safely in accordance with legal requirements, professional standards and organisational medicines-management policies.
• Monitor the effectiveness and side effects of medication and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Complete physical health observations, screening and interventions within the post holder’s competence.
• Maintain a safe, structured and therapeutic clinical environment.
• Use appropriate de-escalation and conflict-resolution techniques when supporting patients who are distressed or presenting with behaviours that may challenge.
• Respond to clinical emergencies, incidents and changes in risk, seeking senior support where necessary.
• Participate in ward rounds, reviews, handovers, multidisciplinary meetings and discharge-planning discussions.
• Support safe admission, transfer and discharge processes, ensuring that relevant information is communicated to involved services.
• Apply the principles of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act and other relevant legislation within clinical practice.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, carers, colleagues and external agencies.
• Establish and maintain professional therapeutic relationships while ensuring appropriate boundaries.
• Provide clear and accurate information to patients and carers regarding care, treatment and available support.
• Work collaboratively with medical staff, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, pharmacists and other professionals.
• Liaise with community services, primary care, social care, emergency services and voluntary organisations to support continuity of care.
• Escalate clinical, operational or safeguarding concerns promptly through the appropriate management structure.
• Contribute effectively to clinical handovers and ensure that relevant risks, changes and actions are clearly communicated.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children or adults at risk.
• Follow local safeguarding procedures and make referrals or escalate concerns when required.
• Complete and regularly review risk assessments and risk-management plans.
• Report incidents, near misses and concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Contribute to post-incident reviews, reflective discussions and learning processes.
• Maintain awareness of environmental and clinical risks and take appropriate action to promote patient and staff safety.
• Support the implementation of least restrictive practice and ensure that restrictive interventions are used only when necessary, proportionate and legally justified.

Documentation and Information Governance

• Maintain accurate, clear, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records.
• Complete assessments, care plans, risk assessments, progress notes and discharge documentation within required timescales.
• Ensure that electronic patient records are updated promptly and meet professional and organisational standards.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with information-governance and data-protection requirements.
• Provide written and verbal reports for clinical reviews, safeguarding processes, legal hearings and other professional meetings where required.

Leadership and Management

• Take responsibility for coordinating a shift or clinical area when appropriately experienced and delegated to do so.
• Organise and prioritise workload effectively, responding to changing clinical and operational demands.
• Delegate tasks appropriately to healthcare support workers and other members of the team, while retaining professional accountability.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, support and oversight to junior staff, students and new team members.
• Promote high standards of professional conduct, teamwork and patient care.
• Raise concerns regarding unsafe practice, staffing, quality of care or professional behaviour.
• Contribute to the effective use of staffing and clinical resources.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical forums and service-development activities.

Supervision, Education and Development

• Participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision.
• Engage in annual appraisal and maintain an agreed personal development plan.
• Maintain professional registration and meet NMC revalidation requirements.
• Complete mandatory and role-specific training within required timescales.
• Maintain and develop clinical knowledge and competence through reflective practice, training and continuing professional development.
• Support the learning and development of student nurses, healthcare support workers and newly appointed staff.
• Act as a practice supervisor or assessor when appropriately trained and authorised.
• Seek advice and support when working outside current knowledge or competence.

Quality, Audit and Service Improvement

• Contribute to clinical audits, quality-improvement initiatives and service evaluations.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based practice, national guidance and organisational standards.
• Participate in monitoring the quality and safety of care delivered within the service.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient experience, clinical outcomes and working practices.
• Contribute to action plans arising from incidents, complaints, audits, inspections and patient feedback.
• Promote a culture of openness, learning and continuous improvement.

Professional Responsibilities

• Practise at all times in accordance with the NMC Code and professional standards.
• Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate respectful, compassionate and accountable behaviour.
• Uphold equality, diversity, inclusion and human-rights principles.
• Challenge discrimination, stigma and inappropriate behaviour.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, which may include rotational shifts, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
• Comply with organisational policies relating to health and safety, infection prevention and control, medicines management, safeguarding and clinical governance.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post, as agreed with the line manager.

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.