mental health nursing

Pulsejobs.com; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health nursing recruitment agency is seeking registered mental health nurses to provide essential care. The role includes developing care plans and supporting patients with mental health conditions. Ideal candidates are registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council and have experience in mental health settings. Opportunities for flexible working across NHS and private sectors available.

Benefits

Flexible shifts

Personalized career support

Access to NHS frameworks

Qualifications

• Registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
• Experience with mental health conditions.
• Ability to work independently and make clinical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop care plans for patients with mental health conditions.
• Administer medication as per the guidance.
• Provide support to patients and their families.

Skills

Risk assessment skills

Autonomous working

Therapeutic communication

Education

Nursing degree registered with NMC

Tools

Documentation software

Job description

As a leading UK mental health nursing recruitment agency, Pulse offers a wide range of opportunities for registered mental health nurses (RMN), learning disabilities nurses (RNLD), psychiatric nurses, community psychiatric nurses (CPN) and healthcare assistants (HCA). We offer the widest choice of shifts across the NHS and private sector, so you can make your flexible mental health nursing job work for you.

Explore our range of mental health nurse jobs in the UK. We offer a variety of permanent roles as well as temporary and locum mental health nursing roles across the NHS and private healthcare organisations.

A mental health nurse provides care and support to people with mental health conditions. Some of a mental health nurse’s day-to-day responsibilities might be developing care plans, administering medication, providing support to patients and their family, and more.

What is a mental health nurse’s salary in the UK?

A mental health nurse’s salary in the UK, in the NHS, starts in the region of £25,000 , rising to around £31,000 in band 5. Experienced NHS mental health nurses can earn in the region of £40,000 and up to £53,000. Mental health nurse jobs in the private sector may have varying salaries, depending on a number of things such as location, type of organisation and year of experience.

How do you get a job in mental health nursing?

You need to be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to work as a mental health nurse in the UK. To be eligible to register you must complete a pre-registration nursing degree or registered nurse degree apprenticeship delivered by an NMC-approved education institution (AEI). Then it’s beneficial to gain experience to develop the skills required to become a mental health nurse before applying for jobs in mental health nursing.

How does community mental health nursing differ from ward-based roles?

Community mental health nursing involves providing care in people’s homes and community settings rather than a hospital environment. Nurses work more autonomously, managing their own caseloads and making independent clinical decisions.

The role requires excellent risk assessment skills, the ability to work alone safely, and strong care coordination abilities. Community nurses often manage longer-term therapeutic relationships and work closely with various community services, GPs, and social care providers to support recovery in the least restrictive environment.

What’s involved in specialist eating disorder roles?

The role involves managing complex physical and mental health needs simultaneously, supporting both emergency and planned admissions, and working closely with families and carers. Nurses need specialist knowledge in areas such as nasogastric feeding, refeeding syndrome, and specialist psychological approaches like CBT-E.

How do early intervention team positions work?

Early intervention teams work with people experiencing first episodes of psychosis or severe mental health problems. Nurses focus on early detection, rapid response, and intensive support to promote recovery and prevent long-term mental health difficulties.

The role involves engaging young people and families, providing psychoeducation, supporting social inclusion, and monitoring treatment response. Nurses work flexibly to maintain engagement, often focusing on education, employment, and social goals alongside symptom management.

How do you support nurses in specialist personality disorder services?

Nurses in personality disorder services receive enhanced training in specific therapeutic approaches like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) or Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT). Regular clinical supervision and reflective practice are essential components of support.

The role requires understanding of trauma-informed care, ability to maintain therapeutic boundaries, and skills in managing complex interpersonal dynamics. Nurses need support to manage the emotional impact of the work and maintain consistent approaches within the team.

How do you handle complex risk management?

Complex risk management involves comprehensive assessment, clear documentation, and collaborative care planning. Nurses need to balance risk management with therapeutic engagement, involving service users in safety planning where possible.

The role requires knowledge of various risk assessment tools, understanding of legal frameworks, and ability to coordinate with multiple agencies. Regular risk assessment reviews, clear communication within teams, and support for staff managing high-risk situations are essential.

How does working in CAMHS differ from adult services?

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) require specialist knowledge of child development, family dynamics, and age-appropriate interventions. Nurses work extensively with families, schools, and social services to support young people’s mental health needs.

The role involves adapting communication styles for different age groups, understanding safeguarding processes, and working within educational frameworks. CAMHS nurses need expertise in conditions that commonly present in childhood and adolescence, and skills in engaging young people in their care.

What’s different about working in psychiatric liaison?

Psychiatric liaison nurses work at the interface between mental and physical healthcare, typically based in general hospitals. They provide rapid mental health assessment and intervention for people attending A&E or admitted to general wards.

The role requires excellent assessment skills, the ability to work at pace, and knowledge of both physical and mental health conditions. Nurses need strong consultation skills to support general hospital colleagues and must be confident in managing crisis situations and risk in various hospital settings.

What’s involved in dual diagnosis unit positions?

Dual diagnosis units support people with both mental health and substance use issues. Nurses need expertise in both mental health care and addiction treatment, understanding how these conditions interact and impact recovery.

The role requires knowledge of detoxification protocols, substance use interventions, and mental health treatments. Nurses must be skilled in managing complex presentations, including acute mental health crises complicated by substance use, and working with multiple agencies to coordinate care.

What’s involved in perinatal mental health roles?

Perinatal mental health nurses specialise in supporting women’s mental health during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. They need expertise in both maternal mental health conditions and child development, working closely with maternity services and health visitors.

The role involves careful medication management during pregnancy and breastfeeding, supporting mother-infant bonding, and managing safeguarding concerns. Nurses must be skilled in assessing risk to both mother and baby, and supporting families through this vulnerable period.

What’s involved in specialist addiction roles?

Addiction specialists work with people using various substances, providing assessment, treatment planning, and recovery support. Nurses need knowledge of different substances, withdrawal management, and various therapeutic approaches to addiction.

The role involves managing complex physical and mental health needs, supporting harm reduction, and coordinating care with other services. Nurses must be skilled in motivational approaches, relapse prevention, and working with families affected by addiction. They often work closely with peer support workers and recovery communities. It is often useful for nurses to hold a Non-Medical Prescriber qualification to work in these settings.

Why choose Pulse to find a mental health nursing job?

At Pulse, we put our nurses first. We don’t just help you to find jobs, but we support you with your career goals. We’re a leading mental health nursing agency with dedicated consultants who will give you personalised support when looking for your next mental health nursing role. We’re proud to have been awarded approved supplier status on all major NHS frameworks; meaning unlike some agencies, our mental health nurses have access to shifts at all major NHS trusts. We also partner with many private sector organisations which gives you lots of choice when choosing which sector you would like to work in.

What our candidates say

4.5 147 reviews

1 year ago

Pulse has provided me with excellent job opportunities as a clinician psychologist at the latter stages of my career.

Francis Harvey

1 year ago

It as been a good experience working for pulse. They are professional and supportive team. Very likeable staff

Gaynor Welburn

1 year ago

Overall really easy process it’s time consuming however it’s important you have the correct information . I have had support from start to finish so Thankyou Riahna

1 month ago

It was a lot to take because there is a lot of online training you have to complete and pass but with the support of my compliance officer Jesse I had someone to offer support with every stage of m...

Great agency to work with, they are giving me my first job as a doctor in the UK since obtaining my full license as an IMG

3 months ago

Hassle-less job seeking, though their internal communication might have some issues that I have to send out some documents a couple of times for them to come through. Agents are friendly, professio...

Pulse staff are efficient professionals and fantastic people!

Ahmed Elmubarak

4 months ago

Very good experience. Staff are friendly and helpful. Supported me through stressful times

Diana

4 months ago

Very nice and helpful staff. Always solve my queries and available anytime, especially Stephen Burgess.

Saqib Nawaz

4 months ago

Great locum company to work for.

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