Job requirements
Essential
10 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
12 months post registration experience
- Experience
Evidence of relevant continuing professional development
- Knowledge and Skills
An understanding of the NHS and Social Care
- Knowledge and Skills
Up to date knowledge of relevant national and local guidance
- Knowledge and Skills
Good organisational and time management skills
- Knowledge and Skills
Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills
- Knowledge and Skills
Ability to work according to Trust Values at all times, especially in complex and challenging situations
- Knowledge and Skills
Clinical skills in undertaking robust mental health needs assessments, including risk and Mental State
- Knowledge and Skills
Ability to use IT systems effectively and in a timely way
- Expeareince / qualifications
Professional Qualification in Mental Health Nursing or Occupational Therapy, including registration with the relevant regulatory body
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of working in a telephony-based service
- Experience
Experience of undertaking complex urgent or emergency assessments
- Expeareince / qualifications
White Belt or Yellow Belt Lean Improvement Methodology
Job overview
The Urgent Mental Health Helpline offers both an urgent referral management service and a public-facing telephone crisis line for adults (aged 18+) in Kent and Medway. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is the sole point of referral from professionals for urgent referrals relating to members of the public who are not currently receiving care or treatment from Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust (excluding specialist services).
The crisis line provides advice, signposting and reassurance over the telephone, as well as offering a route of self-referral, for individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and are not currently engaged with secondary mental health services. It is also available to family members or friends who may be concerned.
The service aims to provide a consistent 24/7 mental health crisis pathway which is accessible to self-referral as well as professional referrals, and to reduce the need for people in significant mental distress to attend an Emergency Department when in crisis and in the absence of a physical health concern.
Please note - the Urgent Mental Health Helpline are currently in Consultation regarding the team base location. There is a proposal for the team to undertake a two step move to West Kent with an interim move to a location in East Kent
Main duties of the job
- You will work within the Urgent Mental Health Helpline across a variety of roles within the team.
- These include answering calls from the public and professionals, undertaking triage telephone assessments, providing clinical guidance to Band 3 Call Handlers, coordinating shifts and managing staffing resources to meet service demand.
- Undertake telephone triage assessments
- Answer calls from the public and professionals
- Provide clinical guidance and leadership to Call Handler colleagues
- Rotational coordination of shifts
- Provide supervision to staff members
- Take part and contribute to team meetings
- Lead team huddles
- Contribute to the design of the service through participation in Improvement Projects
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification
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.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 6 Nurse roles in Maidstone
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Urgent Mental Health Helpline Clinician with Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust in Maidstone, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Nurse (adult and children) role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 29 Oct 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 (15 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.