Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. The role focuses on providing high-quality care in a specialist clinic setting, including comprehensive assessments and management of mental health treatment, while contributing to service improvement and professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Generous pay and pensions

Career development opportunities

NHS discounts

Work-life balance support

Qualifications

• Experience with severe mental health issues or treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
• Ability to conduct ECGs and blood sampling.
• Knowledge of clozapine administration and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality nursing care autonomously and lead junior staff.
• Conduct assessments, monitor physical and mental health, and manage medication.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary care and promote service user recovery.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Risk management

Phlebotomy

Communication

Mental health care

Education

Registered Adult Nurse/Mental Health Nurse/Learning Disabilities Nurse

Diploma, Degree or Masters Level Qualification

Job description

Go back South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The closing date is 07 July 2025

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and dynamic Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to join the Maudsley Clozapine Clinic based within the Maudsley Outpatients Department. The Clozapine Clinic also operates the Zypadhera clinic (OLAI) in collaboration with the Southwark OTs, which is a specialist clinic for this medication. The post is open to qualified Nurses. Management of the Clozapine Clinic includes daily running of the clozapine clinic and weekly administration of Zypadhera (Olanzapine LAI) for Southwark CMHTs. This clinic makes use of specialist devices, which provide access to the on-site point of care testing (POCT) devices, which requires training and supervision from senior clinician for the analysis of blood test.We are looking for practical and ambitious staff who have a real passion for mental health and a positive "can do" attitude, which will give ourservice users the best chance of achieving their recovery goals. In exchange, you will be working alongside highly skilled and knowledgeablemulti-disciplinary team with leading experts in dealing with treatment resistant schizophrenia/psychosis. You will be positively supported in your personal and professional development.This is an exciting time to be working in this field which has undergone a Community Transformation as part of the NHS Long Term Plan withinnovative practice in working with people with treatment resistant psychosis. We are able to offer excellent support and training opportunities

Main duties of the job

Brief mental state examination during their reviews in the clinic (detecting EWS of relapse + escalation to consultants)Physical health monitoring of SUs as per NICE guidance, including ECGs and vital signsAssess and manage risk within your case load when reviewing service users on a weekly basisVenous blood sample for analysis of zFBC on our POC, pocHi-100i deviceCapillary blood sample using finger prick intervention analysed on My Care Insite (POC) for clozapine levelAnnual blood check in preparation of the CMHTs annual health checks as per NICE guidance and Lester guidelinesDrawing collaborative care plans and uploading on epjs.Working in collaboration with pharmacy to book service users' appointment on a Shared calendar between the two teamsSupporting student nurses on clinical placements as well as providing opportunities for other nurses in the Trust to shadow and practice their phlebotomist skillsTrained, coach and supervised other staff from CMHTs to become a pocHi user as all nurses in the MCC are pocHi Certified Trainers.Running the zypAdhera clinic and participate in ordering, storage, preparation, administration, monitoring and recording of this medication including the PIS as per the OLAI protocol/SOP.You will contribute to service improvement and development by participating in research projects in the clinic.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

Generous pay, pensions and leaveWork life balanceCareer developmentCar leaseAccommodationNHS discounts

Job responsibilities

Working autonomously within the parameters of the role leading and supporting junior staff and wider care team to implement the delivery of quality nursing care, contributing to the physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual care in a recovery-focused way through therapeutic engagement and activities, and taking steps to address any issues that are captured during their reviews in the clinic.

Co-ordinating and evaluating collaborative patient centred care; getting feedback and improving plans with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

Providing accurate information about care in an accessible format to patients and their relatives.

Liaising and working positively with members of the multi- disciplinary team and partners

Administering, and monitoring the side-effects of, medication; monitoring service users progress

Follow the protocol for the preparation before, during and after the administration of zypadhera injection

To operate the various Point-of-Care Analysers and to follow the action to take for escalation procedure

To organise and perform the annual Blood test in preparation of the CMHTs annual health checks as per NICE guidelines

Recording brief MSE during reviews and able to detect EWS of relapse and follow escalation procedure

To carry out ECGs and phlebotomy interventions. Staff will be asked to enrol on the ECG and phlebotomy training if not trained.

To train, coach and supervised other staff from CMHTs to use specialist device (POC) within the clinic.

Leading and supporting/teaching junior staff on risk assessment and risk management that involves making decisions based on knowledge of the research evidence, knowledge of the individual service user and their social context, knowledge of the service users own experience

Coordinating junior staff and the wider care team in providing hands-on care to service users and evaluating processes of care delivered. This will include undertaking 1-1 engagement with service users in an honest, open and non- judgmental

Developing care plans that reflect service user needs by working in partnership with service users, wider MDT and family/carers.

Ensuring the monitoring and recording service user clinical observations are undertaken, such as physical observations and vital signs and treating or escalating as appropriate any signs or symptoms of deterioration.

Promote healthy lifestyles and give health promotion advice

Advocating for service users needs and rights, encouraging and empowering them to have an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care.

Recognising and responding appropriately to challenging behaviour in line with Trust policies, leading and coordinating junior staff and the wider care team in the management of difficult situations, using de-escalation and developing resilience and strategies to manage, including leading staff and patient de-briefing sessions.

Demonstrating a depth of knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the MHA, MCA and DoLs and other legislation applicable to the practice area and how they are implemented in practice ensuring adherence to legislation at all times.

Contributing to an effective communication process with appropriate and accurate information to service users, carers, family and friends by engaging and listening carefully and actively and responding using appropriate language and accessible communication methods and skills.

Demonstrating effective clinical communication and documentation to internal and external stakeholders ensuring effective verbal and written handover of relevant and objective information.

Contributing towards the on-going quality of service and care by managing the patient caseload, organising care including delegating tasks and duties appropriately to staff with relevant competency, identifying and mitigating any risk issues in relation to the service users health and social Informing the relevant Health care professionals if there are any significant:

Changes in the service users physical or mental stateFactors relevant to the service userIncidents related to the service user

Maintaining timely and accurate service user written/electronic records in line with Trust policies.

Reporting, without delay, any safety or security concerns to maintain the safety of service users, carers, staff and others in line with Trust

Maintaining confidential information in accordance with Trust

Protecting service users, self and others by maintaining a clean and healthy environment in accordance with health and safety and infection control policies. Ensuring safe working practices and working environment including monitoring and maintaining cleanliness of the service area and report, without delay, all hazards - real and potential.

Working in ways that support shared responsibility within the team: demonstrating support, respect and courtesy towards colleagues; working in a professional manner and with Trust values always in mind, respecting the boundaries of the relationship with service users/patients, carers and families.

Leading sessions on reflective practice for the wider care team to ensure effective patient care is based on evidence based practice and with Trust values in mind.

Participating in supervision by nominated senior staff member, including annual review of performance as part of the appraisal (or PADR) system. Providing and coordinating and overseeing the supervision to Bands 2 5 nursing

Demonstrating and promoting a clear leadership role to others and acting as role model to others at all times in accordance with Trust

Undertaking mandatory training as required by Trust policy plus support junior staff to complete Care Certificate, Trust Level 2 Apprenticeship if appropriate and other CPD training related to the role

Supporting the team manager to conduct clinical or governance reviews of the teams activity and the monitoring of performance and collating and disseminating the information to the appropriate individual.

Supporting Band 5 nurses to lead for the assessment and co-ordination of the Care Certificate for all Healthcare Support Workers in the clinical area, particularly if reasonable adjustments need to be made to complete training and learning.

Deputising for the team manager in their absence and be accountable for the nursing care and management of team, including maintaining communication with the modern matron and clinical service lead

Assisting the team manager in ensuring the team is safely staffed, prioritising and deploying resources within budgetary parameters and escalating concerns to senior nursing staff where appropriate in accordance with HR policies and procedures.

Supporting the team manager to investigate incidents and complaints: compile reports and disseminate this information to senior

Recognising nursing practice that needs improvement and to work in partnership with the team manager to ensure appropriate action is taken to address it.

Linking with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to ensure delivery of care is in line with current teaching standards for both pre-registration and post registration nursing.

Supporting junior staff to undertake and complete apprenticeships as part of their career progression

Maintaining your status as a practice assessor and practice supervisor and participate in training of student

Participate in the provision of a good quality learning environment for students and staff within team.

Maintaining a work development portfolio and complying with all requirements of NMC revalidation.

Measuring and developing standards of care through collection of benchmarking data where appropriate and undertake audits to ensure care meets the requirements of the CQC and Service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Participating and encouraging research within the clinical environment and ensure knowledge of it is widely disseminated throughout the team, trust and wider

Contributing to research and audit activities, disseminating knowledge and results and contributing to relevant audit practice development and research activity that may be taking place in the work.

Contribute to the effective functioning of the team and service through attendance at relevant meetings, taking responsibilities within the service as appropriate and negotiated with the line manager.

To be responsible for the management of financial and physical resources and to have an awareness of resources used within the team.

Carry out regular weekly audit of clinical and office items and to order any shortages on e-procurement

Being a specialist clinic, the post holder will also be expected to deliver, or advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care regarding issues related to clozapine when required in line with the Trust clozapine policy, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered Adult Nurse/ Mental Health Nurse/Learning Disabilities Nurse
• o Diploma, Degree or Masters Level Qualification
• o Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor

Experience and Knowledge

• o Knowledge and experience of clinical assessment including brief mental state examination, brief physical health screening, recording of NEWS, Risk Assessment and Risk management
• o Knowledge of the caution to take before administration of clozapine medication, its effects, side effects and possible adverse reaction
• o Knowledge of Relevant Research and its application to Assessment treatment and Case Management

Skills and Abilities

• o Ability to assist the service user to develop a Recovery and Crisis, physical and psychological Care Plan complementing their existing care plan
• o Skills in performing ECGs and to bleed service users (phlebotomy)
• o Ability to chair meetings and to take minutes

Experience

• o Able to provide quality care that is responsive to the service user's needs, without close supervision
• o Experience of working with service users with severe and enduring mental illness or treatment resistant schizophrenia / psychosis
• o Experience of running Groups and other wellbeing activities such as psychosocial interventions to promote recovery
• o Experience of supervising staff

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.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

£44,806 to £53,134 a yearper annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-NUR-7264115-FR

Job locations