Perinatal Mental Health Nurse

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Band 5 Mental Health Nurse to join the Florence House Perinatal Unit in Bournemouth. The role focuses on caring for pregnant and postnatal women and their babies, with emphasis on therapeutic interventions and safeguarding familiar bonds.

Newly qualified nurses with an NMC PIN are welcome, and a comprehensive Preceptorship Programme is provided.

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse with post-registration training or evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Experience or interest in perinatal mental health is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessment and manage risk.

Skills

Risk assessment

Team working

Communication skills

Autonomy

Leadership

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse

Psychosocial interventions/CBT training

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Perinatal Mental Health Nurse

The closing date is 21 October 2026

Florence House has an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Mental Health Nurse to join our team

Florence House is a 5-bedded Mother and Baby Unit providing a high quality of care and treatment for pregnant and postnatal women experiencing mental health difficulties. Babies are admitted with their mothers to build and maintain the mother/infant relationship.

The ideal candidate will need to be interested in Perinatal Mental Health, enthusiastic, caring, and a good team player. Some experience of working with women with mental health difficulties and children is preferred, but not essential.

We aim to promote a calm and therapeutic approach where patients and families are supported by a friendly, skilled and enthusiastic team that enables them to move forwards with their recovery.

We welcome applications from newly qualified nurses who have received or are awaiting their NMC PIN and we provide a comprehensive and fully supported Preceptorship Programme for newly qualified healthcare professionals.

Applications from candidates who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

You will be part of a highly motivated and dedicated MDT delivering high quality care to women and their babies, with an emphasis on therapeutic and diverse interventions. We work closely as a multi-disciplinary team and value learning, having regular teaching and supervision with a shared vision.

Experience of working within an acute setting is preferable, however a full induction programme is provided for the successful applicant. You will be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing a high standard of care. A good working knowledge of child and adult safeguarding is essential. The applicant must have excellent clinical skills, be able to thoroughly assess risk and formulate safe and effective risk management plans. Supervision and learning opportunities are actively encouraged.

Applicants should have a warm and friendly disposition with good communication and interpersonal skills. You must be robust and resourceful and willing to work outside their comfort zone in an environment which can be demanding and stressful.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

• Registered Mental Health Nurse
• Working knowledge of; Mental Health Legislation, Care Programme Approach;Confidentiality, NMC Code of Conduct
• Evidence of further post registration training
• Qualification in Psychosocial interventions/CBT

Job specific experience

• Experience of taking responsibility for individual clients care.
• Experience of undertaking comprehensive risk assessment and implement risk management plans.
• The ability to undertake evidence- based interventions with woman suffering from mental health problems in the perinatal period

Managerial/supervisory experience

• Experience of managing other staff members
• Highly developed communication skills
• Evidence of effective team working and the ability to work autonomously
• Ability to organise self and others to achieve tasks
• Ability to work under pressure in acute situation with minimal supervisions

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.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust