Community Mental Health Nurse

Published: Published today

Come and join us

We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.

At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.

We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.

We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.

Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.

We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and skilled Registered Mental Health Nurse to join the Community Rehabilitation Service (CRS) on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity leave cover.

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team providing assessment, care coordination, treatment and recovery-focused interventions to adults with complex and enduring mental health needs, relating to psychosis. The role involves managing a caseload of patients, undertaking comprehensive assessments, developing and reviewing care plans, managing risk, and working collaboratively with carers, primary care services and partner agencies.

The postholder will contribute to maintaining high standards of patient care, promoting recovery and independence, and ensuring the safe and effective delivery of community mental health services. They will play a key role in supporting continuity of care and maintaining clinical capacity within CRS during the substantive postholder's period of maternity leave.

This post is offered as a fixed-term contract for maternity leave cover.

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The postholder will work within CRS as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, recovery-focused care to adults with complex and enduring mental health needs.

Key responsibilities include:

Managing and coordinating a defined caseload of patients.
Undertaking comprehensive mental health assessments and ongoing reviews.
Developing, implementing and evaluating person-centred care and treatment plans.
Assessing and managing risk, ensuring timely intervention and escalation where required.
Providing evidence-based clinical interventions and support to promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.
Working collaboratively with patients, carers, families and partner agencies to ensure coordinated care delivery.
Participating in multidisciplinary team meetings, clinical reviews and case formulation discussions.
Maintaining accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
Contributing to safeguarding processes and promoting the welfare and safety of vulnerable adults.
Supporting the delivery of NHS and Trust priorities through effective caseload management and service delivery.
Providing leadership, supervision and support to junior staff and students where appropriate.
Participating in service development and quality improvement initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex, working to improve the lives of the people we serve through high-quality, compassionate care.

CRS is a specialist community service supporting adults with complex and enduring mental health needs to maximise their independence, recovery and quality of life. We work collaboratively with patients, carers and partner agencies to deliver person-centred care that promotes recovery, social inclusion and positive outcomes.

We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment where staff are valued, respected and encouraged to develop their skills and careers. We recognise that our staff are our greatest asset and are dedicated to promoting wellbeing, professional development and opportunities for career progression.

By joining CRS, you will become part of a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team that is passionate about delivering high-quality care and making a meaningful difference to the lives of patients and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will work within CRS as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, recovery-focused mental health care to adults with complex and enduring mental health needs.

The role will involve providing assessment, care coordination, treatment and support to patients, ensuring care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards and relevant legislation.

Clinical Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate a defined caseload of patients with complex mental health needs.
Deliver care and interventions in atrauma-informed manner and recovery-focused way.
Undertake comprehensive mental health, risk and needs assessments.
Develop, implement and review person-centred care and treatment plans in collaboration with patients and carers.
Deliver evidence-based interventions that promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.
Monitor patients' mental state and respond appropriately to changes in presentation or risk.
Identify, assess and manage risks relating to self-harm, suicide, self-neglect, safeguarding and risk to others.
Participate in duty, screening and urgent responses as required by the service.
Facilitate timely referrals and liaison with other health and social care providers.
Ensure that care is delivered in line with relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.

Care Coordination and Partnership Working

Act as Care Coordinator/lead practitioner where appropriate.
Maintain effective communication with patients, carers, families and professionals involved in care delivery.
Work collaboratively with primary care, inpatient services, social care, housing providers, voluntary agencies and other partner organisations.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case reviews and discharge planning processes.
Support patients to access community resources and services that promote recovery and wellbeing.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records.
Prepare reports, risk assessments and documentation to a high standard.
Maintain registration and practice in accordance with the NMC Code and Trust policies.
Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development.
Adhere to Trust policies relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.

Leadership and Service Development

Provide professional support, supervision and mentorship to junior staff and students where appropriate.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives and clinical audit activities.
Support the implementation of Trust objectives and NHS priorities.
Promote a positive team culture and contribute to the ongoing development of CRS.

Key Outcomes

The postholder will contribute to:

Safe and effective management of patient care.
High-quality, recovery-focused mental health interventions.
Positive patient outcomes and experiences.
Effective multidisciplinary working.
Maintenance of service capacity and continuity of care within CRS.
Achievement of Trust and NHS England quality and performance standards during the period of maternity leave cover.

SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.

Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.

SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.

In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.

Protect Yourself from Recruitment Fraud

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust does not charge any fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers.

All vacancies, applications and recruitment communications are managed through the Trust's official careers website and published contact details.

These are the only authorised channels for applying for roles, receiving recruitment communications and verifying job offers.

Further information relating to our vacancies and recruitment process can be found at - https://careers.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/.