mental health nurse/mental health practitioner

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Belmont; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in the United Kingdom is looking for an experienced mental health nurse to join their team at a high-security prison. The role involves conducting assessments, providing interventions, and coordinating discharge planning for patients with complex needs. Ideal candidates will have at least 18 months of nursing experience and a compassionate approach to care.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction

Access to training opportunities

Multi-disciplinary team environment

Qualifications

• 18 months post-qualifying nursing experience required.
• Ability to provide compassionate mental health care.
• Innovative and flexible in patient engagement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing assessments of patient needs and risk.
• Provide relevant mental health interventions.
• Coordinate discharge planning and liaise with partner services.

Skills

Compassionate mental health care

Coordination skills

Understanding of the criminal justice system

Decision-making based on health assessments

Engagement with complex needs

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced mental health nurse/mental health practitioner to join our team working in HMP Frankland, which is a high-security men's prison in County Durham. This is a rewarding post, where you will have the opportunity to practice a full range of psychiatric skills and interventions. The role of the clinical lead will be varied which will include assessments and intervention. You will make ongoing assessment of needs reflecting individual circumstances, including risk assessment, providing relevant interventions and coordinating discharge planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing assessments of patient needs and risk.
• Provide relevant mental health interventions.
• Coordinate discharge planning and liaise with partner services.
• Prioritise and work flexibly within a person‑centred approach.
• Engage with patients with complex needs and innovative practices.

Required Qualifications

• 18 months post‑qualifying nursing experience including sign‑off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
• Experience providing compassionate mental health care.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system.
• Strong coordination and planning skills with the ability to make decisions based on comprehensive health and risk assessments.
• Innovative, flexible, and able to engage with patients with complex needs.

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive induction and a vast array of personal, professional and academic training opportunities enabling you to expand your skill set and evidence‑based practice. You will work in a multi‑disciplinary team alongside partner providers from a variety of internal and external services.

About Our Trust

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby. From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care – our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for. We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health. We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it. We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.