Lead Nurse for Improving Physical Health in MH & LD

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust; Tewkesbury; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a Lead Nurse to enhance the physical health of individuals with mental health and learning disabilities. This role involves providing expert advice, developing specialized care programs, and promoting health initiatives across Gloucestershire. The ideal candidate will have a strong nursing background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for improving patient care. Join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, while enjoying a supportive work environment that values inclusivity and professional growth.

Benefits

Free car parking

27 days leave plus bank holidays

Training and development opportunities

Generous NHS pension

Flexible working opportunities

Recognition and long service awards

Fast Track physiotherapy

Discounts and salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with expertise in physical health and mental health.
• Experience in teaching and developing nursing practice and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional expertise in Physical Health for MH/LD patients.
• Undertake specialist assessment and evaluation of physical healthcare.

Skills

Knowledge of Physical Health needs

Communication skills

Teaching and assessing skills

Motivational skills

Ability to work as a senior clinician

Education

Registered Nurse

Teaching Qualification

Tools

RiO

MS Excel

Job description

Lead Nurse for Improving Physical Health in MH & LD

Band 7

Main area: Lead Nurse Grade Band 7

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: 5 days per week

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Some Hybrid working may be considered)

Job ref: 327-25-097

Site: Edward Jenner Court, Town: Brockworth

Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 Per Annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 12/02/2025 23:59

We love what we do and we think you will, too!

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health, and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.

We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you’.

We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.

Job overview

The post holder will be a registered nurse who has a significant level of knowledge, extended levels of competence, skills, and experience of working with patients with mental and physical health needs in both community and inpatient settings.

The post holder will be a motivated and self-starting individual, with sound knowledge of using information technology inclusive of RiO and MS Excel.

They will be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about improving the physical healthcare of individuals with a mental illness and/or learning disability. The post holder will be required to work across Gloucestershire.

Main duties of the job

1. To act as an expert resource and to provide professional expertise in Physical Health, Health Promotion and well-being for MH/LD patients and staff trust wide.
2. Support the Heads of Profession in Mental and Physical Health with the parity of esteem agenda.
3. Be a visible, accessible and professional presence for staff, working alongside staff and in direct clinical contact with patients/clients within the clinical setting to ensure the physical health and wellbeing needs of individuals are fully assessed and understood.
4. To undertake specialist assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of physical healthcare for service users Trust wide as needed.
5. Optimise the service users’ potential to participate in promoting and maintaining good physical health.

Working for our organisation

We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity, and provides a sense of belonging and trust.

The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey, just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%).

• 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
• 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
• 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisation's priority;
• 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative.

Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To demonstrate a high skill base and knowledge of Physical Health needs and to communicate in a variety of ways how to apply theory into practice and developing specialised programmes.
2. Facilitate physical health training days.
3. Responsible for negotiating and developing individual highly complex care programmes in accordance with service users using a high degree of diplomacy and motivational skills.
4. Attendance at Multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences as required.
5. Collect and collate data/information effectively for the purpose of audit and research and service performance.
6. Liaise with and offer specialist assessment and advice to other clinicians and professions as a senior clinician.
7. Be accountable for their own professional actions as a lead specialist.
8. Provide support with care plans and attend physical health appointments as required.
9. Liaise with other agencies to provide specialist support as required.
10. Promote the appropriate use of cardiovascular screening and interventions (based upon the LESTER tool) within clinical areas, which will support the appropriate physical monitoring of service users on complex medications.
11. Deliver evidence-based physical health care assessments and interventions such as venepuncture, weight management, and healthy lifestyle advice in line with the LESTER tool and other nationally recognised best practice guidelines.
12. Share best practice and educate staff across the Trust regarding physical care initiatives.

Person specification

Education

• Registered Nurse

Experience

• Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory and post-registration qualifications.
• Evidence of teaching, assessing, and the development of nursing practice and service delivery.
• Ability to work as a senior clinician offering specialist advice and support to Multidisciplinary teams.
• Teaching Qualification.

When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:

• Free car parking at many of our sites.
• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service.
• A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
• A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals, and Return to Practice Practitioners.
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours.
• Flexible, family-friendly, and agile working opportunities.
• Recognition and long service awards.
• Fast Track physiotherapy.
• Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme, and discounts on travel, leisure, and retailers.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.

For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.