Mental Health Staff Nurse

A Mental Health Staff Nurse post on a ward, acting as named nurse for a defined group of patients within South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust. The core work is person-centred care, from assessment and care planning to delivery and evaluation, with a multidisciplinary team. Open to qualified staff nurses and newly qualified preceptees, it includes shift co-ordination, nights and supervision of junior staff on a 365-day service.

NMC registration is required, and the Trust can sponsor overseas candidates.

• Deliver person-centred nursing care on the ward, acting as named nurse for a defined group of patients
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care with patients and their families or carers
• Observe and engage service users to assess needs and track progress
• Monitor patients, update care plans and respond to changes in condition
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to keep care safe and effective
• Prioritise and delegate nursing responsibilities
• Oversee and support junior staff in delivering planned treatment and care
• Cover shifts across a 365-day service, including as shift co-ordinator when needed
• Maintain accurate care plans and service user and carer records
• Take part in clinical and managerial supervision and personal development planning
• Contribute to quality improvement and clinical governance
• Uphold safeguarding, medicines management, the NMC Code and Trust policies

• Relevant nursing qualification, or newly qualified preceptee in first nursing role

• NMC registration as a registered mental health nurse (1st level, appropriate part of the register)

• Systematic approach to care: assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation
• Working with people with mental health needs or a learning disability, including in a multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of the key worker or primary nurse system and recovery-based collaborative working
• Clinical or professional supervision

• Good verbal and written communication
• Awareness of the Care Programme Approach
• Therapeutic work with patients one-to-one or in groups
• Awareness of prevention and management of violence and aggression
• Ability to lead, motivate, coach, mentor and role model for staff and learners

• Ability to work without direct supervision, flexibly and travel across the Trust
• Ability to meet the demands of the post, including shift patterns and nights
• Commitment to mandatory training, including violence and aggression management, and willingness to train in nursing mentorship
• Commitment to Trust core values and role behaviours such as enthusiasm, professionalism, reliability and coping with change
• Satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years

• Implementation of the Care Programme Approach
• Experience leading and supervising junior or unqualified staff
• Experience of a care pathway approach to recovery
• Experience using risk assessment models such as HCR-20 and other risk tools
• Relevant post-basic qualifications
• CBT or PSI training
• Experience of mentoring or supporting learners, or the ability to show mentoring skills
• Knowledge of recovery models, psychosocial interventions, IMROC, evidence-based practice and clinical-service NHS initiatives