Senior Staff Nurse - Mental Health

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.

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

1. 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.

2. Using their therapeutic skills, through engagement with the patient, complete Psychosocial and MSE assessment every shift and clearly document this on Cerner

3. When carrying out the 1:1 role of patients with Mental Health needs, ensure this is clearly and regularly documented on Cerner.

4. To promote therapeutic relationships which take account of the patients customs, values and spiritual beliefs and facilitate dignity, independence and choice

5. 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.

6. To ensure that they are aware of the patients 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 patients 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 teams agreement and support.

9. To monitor and, if appropriate, restrict access to any item that could be used by the Patient to harm themselves or others.

10. 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.

11. 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.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Application form and interview