Mental Health Nurse - HMP Chelmsford

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Registered Mental Health Nurse at HMP Chelmsford. This role involves supporting the mental health of prisoners by providing assessment, treatment, and ongoing care in a challenging environment. You will work as part of a multi-professional team and be responsible for a caseload while participating in case management. This permanent role offers a competitive salary between £35,000–£38,000 and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in individuals' lives.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Chance to develop skills in unique healthcare setting

Meaningful work

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse with active PIN required.
• Subject to prison vetting checks.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality mental health support to prisoners.
• Engage in integrated working alongside multi-professionals.
• Assess and treat patients based on individual needs.

Skills

Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-professional team

Experience in a prison environment

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with an active PIN

Job description

Job Summary

Join Our Friendly Team as a Registered Mental Health Nurse at HMP Chelmsford

About the Role

As a Registered Mental Health Nurse, you will play a vital role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of individuals within the prison environment. You'll provide assessment, treatment, and ongoing care for prisoners facing a variety of mental health challenges. This is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a dynamic and challenging setting.

What We Offer

• A supportive and friendly team environment
• A chance to develop your skills in a unique healthcare setting
• Meaningful work that truly impacts lives

Working Hours

• Standard shift: 08:00–18:00 (Days)
• Rotational late shift coverage: 10:00–20:00
• Contract Type: Permanent, 40 hours
• Salary: £35,000–£38,000

Main Duties

• Provide high quality planned and urgent mental health support to prisoners within a secure setting, including supporting RMNS with emergency alarms within the prison.
• Work as part of a multi‑professional workforce delivering care to patients in the Enhanced Care Unit, Residential Wings and all other areas that prisoners have daily access to such as workshops.
• Carry a caseload of patients and be responsible for assessment and treatment of those patients.
• Be part of the case management team in ACCT reviews.
• Engage in integrated working alongside multi‑professionals within the whole prison setting, not just healthcare.
• Provide support to all staff on your shift ensuring day‑to‑day functions are maintained.
• Complete the induction training for new starters and act as an appointed mentor after probation.
• Provide supervision to clinical and non‑clinical staff where appropriate.
• Assess patients, plan their care, administer treatment and discharge or refer them as appropriate to other healthcare professionals or external agencies.
• Participate in all ACCT reviews and advise the prison with direct reference to the prisoners’ mental health.
• Assess prisoners’ fitness for detention, release or transfer.
• Assess alcohol and drug intoxication and withdrawal.

Qualifications and Experience

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with an active PIN.
• All candidates are subject to prison vetting checks.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi‑professional team within a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience in a prison environment (desirable).
• Experience working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team (desirable).

Person Specification

• Equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team.
• We are a Disability Confident company, providing facilities, work‑environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.

Legal and Verification

• Disclosure and Barring Service check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a D&B check.
• Experienced closed‑situated care environment, all candidates will undergo prison vetting checks.

About the Company

We change lives by transforming health and care.

Established in 2006, we are one of the UK’s leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services, as well as adult social care and wellbeing services.

Guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.

Application Deadline

As the role may fill quickly, we encourage you to apply promptly. The posting date was 12 December 2025.