Mental Health Nurse

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Greater London is seeking a qualified Mental Health Nurse to provide essential support within the Emergency Department. This role involves formulating care plans, conducting psychosocial assessments, and ensuring patient safety amidst clinical responsibilities. Ideal candidates will possess RMN qualifications and experience in acute mental health settings, making a vital contribution to patient care and risk management. Join a compassionate team dedicated to high standards of mental health support.

Qualifications

• Experience in acute mental health settings or within the NHS.
• Ability to provide mental health support in a clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health nursing support in the Emergency Department.
• Formulate and adhere to care plans based on patient needs.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments of mental health patients.
• Ensure safety of patients and manage risks effectively.

Skills

Mental health support

Therapeutic engagement

Risk management

Patient confidentiality

Education

RMN Qualification

Job description

Mental Health Nurse

The closing date is 19 January 2026

To provide Mental Health nursing support to patients in the Emergency Department 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 in the ED.

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, Lead Nurse - Mental Health or Nurse Advisor (MH), 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.

Main duties of the job

Roles and responsibilities

• 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.
• Using their therapeutic skills, through engagement with the patient, make an initial Psychosocial assessment and advise the ED Majors Co‑ordinator and the Psychiatric Liaison Nurse.
• Complete the Mental Health Triage and Risk Assessment form for all Mental Health Patients and those that require 1:1 Observations, ensure that the hourly observation and behaviour summary is completed.
• Promote therapeutic relationships which take account of the patient’s customs, values and spiritual beliefs and facilitate dignity, independence and choice.
• 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.
• Be aware of the patient’s history including any risk factors and commence and maintain timely risk management to manage any known or unknown risks; liaise closely with the ED medical team and refer to the PLN if psychiatric assessment is required when risks or concerns are evident.
• Ensure that any Risk Management Plan put in place by Mental Health services (Psych Liaison and/or Lead Nurse for Mental Health) is adhered to and utilise own clinical skills to advise if changes are indicated in relation to the implementation of these.
• 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 the patient’s belongings in order to maintain a safe environment.
• Monitor and, if appropriate, restrict access to any item that could be used by the patient to harm themselves or others.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the nurse in charge of the clinical area; if no mental health patients present in the ED then assist with other reasonable requests such as helping to clean/stock areas, prepare cubicles between patients etc.
• Provide teaching sessions to Emergency Department staff on relevant Mental Health subjects, and attend any Emergency Department teaching to assist them in their role.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information at all times.

About us

Our 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 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC 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 an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation.

Person Specification

Experience AND Qualification

• RMN QUALIFICATION
• EXPERIENCE IN ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH SETTINGS/NHS

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.