Senior Staff Nurse - Mental Health

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has come up for a compassionate and enthusiastic Registered Mental Health Nurse to join our Acute Assessment and Acute Medical Unit teams as a Band 6 Senior Staff Nurse – Mental Health.

You will play a key role in improving the care and experience of patients with mental health needs within a busy acute hospital environment. Using a trauma-informed approach, you will build therapeutic relationships, complete mental health and risk assessments, support safe care planning and provide guidance to ward teams.

Working collaboratively with Psychiatric Liaison and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will help manage complex clinical situations while maintaining patients’ dignity, safety, independence and choice.

We are looking for an experienced RMN who is calm, clinically confident and committed to our PROUD values: putting patients first, being responsive, open and honest, unfailingly kind, and determined to develop and improve care

Main duties of the job

Provide specialist mental health nursing care and support to patients within the Acute Assessment Unit. Undertake mental state examinations, psychosocial assessments and risk assessments, ensuring clear and timely documentation. Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients, delivering compassionate, trauma-informed care that promotes dignity, independence and choice. Implement and monitor mental health risk management plans, escalating concerns and liaising with Psychiatric Liaison and multidisciplinary teams as required. Provide expert advice and guidance to ward teams on mental health care, risk management, the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act. Utilise advanced communication, diversion and de-escalation skills to manage challenging situations and maintain a safe clinical environment. Work autonomously while collaborating effectively with medical, nursing, allied health professionals and external mental health services. Support the delivery of safe and effective patient care, including observation, physical health monitoring, medication administration and patient escorts where required. Deliver education, support and coaching to ward staff to enhance confidence and competence in caring for patients with mental health needs. Act as a professional role model, demonstrating leadership, clinical expertise and the Trust's PROUD values at all times.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide Mental Health nursing support to patients on AAU (and other clinical areas if asked to move wards for a shift) including ensuring their safety within clinical areas and/or during escort duties.

To be responsible for the initial provision and/or the maintenance of high standards of care for patients on AAU/AMU.

To provide professional leadership in relation to the day-to-day management of patients requiring Mental Health care and support.

To follow the patients’ Mental Health Risk Management Plan as devised by Psychiatric Liaison staff, Clinical Lead/Deputy Clinical Lead), or a Duty Psychiatrist.

Where appropriate, to formulate care plans in relation to the patients mental health needs in conjunction with other mental health professionals and the patient but to adhere to plans put in place by the assessing Mental Health Team including Psychiatric Liaison services.

To fulfil the relatively autonomous role of Mental Health Nurse in a non-Mental Health setting, working to established policies and procedures but willing and able to use professional decision-making skills and discretion as required.

To use critical assessment skills to address new or ambiguous matters/circumstances and to seek support as required.

Roles and responsibilities

• Ensure that they have received adequate handover including any current Patients mental state and nature of mental health difficulties, details of current or planned Mental Health Act Assessments and, plans for physical/medical care.
• Using their therapeutic skills, through engagement with the patient, complete Psychosocial and MSE assessment every shift and clearly document this on Cerner
• When carrying out the 1:1 role of patients with Mental Health needs, ensure this is clearly and regularly documented on Cerner.
• To promote therapeutic relationships which take account of the patients customs, values and spiritual beliefs and facilitate dignity, independence and choice
• To be fully aware and adhere to the Trust “Engagement and Observation of patients with Mental Health Needs” Policy, as well as any other Policies or guidelines relevant to the role.
• To ensure that they are aware of the patient’s history including any risk factors and to commence and maintain timely risk management to manage any known or unknown risks. To liaise closely with the ward medical team and to refer to the PLN if psychiatric assessment required when risks or concerns are evident.
• To ensure that any Risk Management Plan put in place by Mental Health services (Psych Liaison and/or Clinical Lead/Deputy Clinical Lead for Mental Health) is adhered to and utilise their own clinical skills to advise if changes are indicated in relation to the implementation of these.
• Ensure that the environment around the patient is as safe as possible, actively managing risk in a changing clinical environment. It may be necessary to search patient’s belongings in order to maintain a safe environment. This should be planned with patient if possible although this is not always appropriate. It should always be carried out with the nursing team’s agreement and support.
• To monitor and, if appropriate, restrict access to any item that could be used by the Patient to harm themselves or others.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the nurse in charge of the clinical area. If no mental health patients present on the ward then will assist with other reasonable requests such as helping to clean/stock areas, prepare cubicles between patients etc.
• To provide Teaching sessions to AAU/AMU staff on relevant Mental Health subjects, and to attend any teaching that will assist them in their role.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information at all times.
• Dress in a manner appropriate for the clinical environment and client group which adheres to Infection Control guidelines – this should normally be a blue branded polo shirt.
• Report any changes concerning the Patients clinical presentation to the appropriate professionals and if necessary take additional steps to ensure the safety of all until such time as an in depth Psychiatric review can take place.
• Giving the patient assistance with hygiene needs, eating and drinking as required, including recording fluid balance if required.
• Carry out and record baseline observations in line with Trust Policy in consultation with allocated General Nurse.
• Assist AAU/AMU staff with patient’s clinical management within NMC scope of practice.
• To utilise their own Clinical skills to ensure high quality of care in maintaining the safety and well-being of the Patient.
• To Utilise diversion and de-escalation skills to manage conflict situations and to understand when to and how to request assistance from others if situation escalates.
• To ensure they are aware of the Trusts emergency protocols including contacting Security, action in event of a fire, cardiac arrest or Mental Health patient absconding.
• If necessary preventing a patient from causing harm to themselves/others or attempting to abscond using interventions in the first instance such as de-escalation but in some circumstances physical intervention. This should be carried out in a manner which keeps themselves and others as safe as possible. Restraint should be reasonable and proportionate. See Trust Policy De-escalation and Physical Intervention in response to Clinically Challenging Behaviour.
• To have extensive knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Common Law and The Mental Health Act – including use of section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act – and to provide expert advice to ward staff in relation to these.
• Support the registered nurses in the clinical area in the administration of the patient’s medication - explaining what is happening to the patient and providing any physical assistance necessary.
• Ensure that any specific aspects of the Mental Health Act are adhered to in relation to individual Patients including reading the patient their rights if detained under the MHA and completing a S132 Form.
• Manage any requirements necessary to safely facilitate to possible surgical procedures including ensuring the Patient remains nil by mouth as and when instructed.
• Escort patient to other departments or services both inside and outside of the Hospital ensuring that any concerns are raised with the relevant professional prior to any escort taking place. This will include escorting Patients outside for a Cigarette if assessed as safe to do so.
• Communicate with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, Psychiatric Liaison Team and any other Clinical services in a Professional and appropriate manner.
• To ensure that any written documentation required for the role is completed in a timely, legible and clinically appropriate manner and format.
• Work under the direction of the Nurse-in-Charge and comply with management requests from the Ward Manager, Matron, Clinical Site Manager and/or Clinical Lead/Deputy Clinical Lead for Mental Health
• To dispense and/or administer prescribed medication within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidelines.
• To be helpful, motivated, engaging and willing to assist your colleagues at all times.
• To move, without argument, If asked to move wards or change which Patient you are looking after for clinical reasons when asked to do so by senior staff including the ED nurse in charge, ED Matron, Clinical Site Manager or Clinical Lead/Deputy Clinical Lead – Mental Health. Any refusal to comply may result in disciplinary action.
• To use a Trauma Informed Approach to all patients with mental Health needs on the Wards.
• To be helpful, motivated, engaging and willing to assist your colleagues at all times. This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

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.