Primary Care Mental Health Nurse

E P U T; Maldon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Nurse for a fixed-term role in Primary Care Mental Health. This position involves triaging and assessing patients, providing evidence-based treatments, and collaborating with GPs and multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will have robust clinical judgment and excellent communication skills, thriving in a dynamic environment. This role offers the chance to make a real difference in the community by supporting individuals with mental health challenges. Join a supportive organization that values care, learning, and empowerment, and enjoy a range of benefits including flexible working options and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS Staff Discounts

Training Opportunities

Buying/Selling Annual Leave

Flexible Working Options

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse with experience in primary care settings.
• Proficient in SystemOne and clinical assessment techniques.

Responsibilities

• Triage and assess patients to facilitate access to appropriate support.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe clinical practice.

Skills

Mental Health Nursing

Assessment Skills

Communication Skills

Stress Management

Clinical Judgment

Team Collaboration

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)

Non-Medical Prescriber

Venepuncture and ECG Training

Tools

SystemOne

Microsoft Word

Email

Job description

Employer heading

Band 7

About Us

EPUT provides community health, mental health, and learning disability services to support more than 3.2 million people across Bedfordshire, Essex, and Suffolk. We are among the largest employers in the East of England, with over 10,000 staff working across more than 200 sites. We also run the COVID-19 vaccination programme in mid and south Essex and north east Essex.

EPUT was established on 1 April 2017 following the merger of North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (NEP) and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT). A new leadership team was formed in 2020.

Our vision and values

Our Vision

"To be the leading health and wellbeing service in mental health and community care".

Our Purpose

"We care for people every day. What we do together, matters".

Our Values

• We Care
• We Learn
• We Empower

Our strategic objectives

• Deliver safe, high-quality integrated care services.
• Enable staff to be the best they can be.
• Collaborate with partners to improve services.
• Support thriving communities.

Our services include:

• Mental Health Services
• Community Health Services
• Learning Disabilities Services
• Social Care

Find out more in our service directory.

Job overview

Previous applicants need not apply

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave in the Primary Care Mental Health service in Braintree Maldon Essex. The role is based in General Practice, working with Primary Care teams to triage, assess, manage, and follow up with patients, providing brief interventions for those registered with GPs in the area. You must be highly skilled, motivated, autonomous, and confident in delivering evidence-based psychological and non-psychological treatments for common mental health disorders following assessments.

Excellent assessment skills and knowledge of local services are essential, as the practitioner will act as the gatekeeper for referrals to secondary services. Collaborating with Primary Care colleagues, the practitioner will provide support, advice, education, and problem-solving skills regarding assessment and management of mental health disorders. You will also act as a 'sign poster' to other services and contribute to developing integrated care pathways.

Main duties of the job

• Experience as a qualified Mental Health Nurse in a Primary Care setting.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage stress effectively.
• Robust clinical judgment.
• Autonomous working and responsibility-taking.
• Participate in patient safety investigations, complaints, and other relevant inquiries.
• Mentorship and supervision of students.
• Develop innovative practices to handle service demands, referrals, KPIs, and caseload management.
• Hold a UK driving licence, essential for travel to various bases.
• Work with GPs, Primary Care teams, and Psychiatrists to support patients in appropriate environments from a multidisciplinary perspective.
• Triage and assess patients to facilitate access to appropriate support.
• Manage and deliver effective, safe services supporting clinical governance.
• Conduct physical health investigations like ECGs and interpret results.
• Non-medical prescriber preferred.
• Knowledge of Systmone patient documentation system.

Working for our organisation

We seek motivated staff who share our values of Care, Learn, and Empower. We offer benefits including:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS staff discounts
• Training opportunities
• Buying/Selling annual leave
• Opportunity to work bank shifts and broaden experience
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Day One Flexible Employer

We support flexible working; discuss options with the recruiting manager. Successful applicants can request flexible working from day one.

Join our Staff bank

Our staff bank hires clinical and non-clinical professionals for shifts across trust sites. All permanent staff are enrolled, with options to work additional shifts if desired. Indicate your interest in joining the staff bank in your application.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Create a seamless service pathway in collaboration with community teams, inpatient services, and other agencies.
• Work with GPs, psychiatrists, and multidisciplinary teams to support patients in appropriate environments.
• Ensure safe clinical practice, maintaining CQC standards and NHS principles.
• Triage patients to ensure appropriate support, avoiding unnecessary system navigation.
• Manage and monitor clinical governance and quality standards.
• Lead initiatives to improve service quality and safeguard standards.
• Perform physical health assessments like ECGs and interpret results.
• Provide education on medication management, side effects, and compliance.
• Support physical healthcare development through training and education.
• Offer clinical leadership in multidisciplinary meetings.
• Adhere to policies, maintain accountability, and contribute to policy development.
• Engage with statutory and voluntary agencies for holistic care.
• Identify and manage risks, contributing to risk registers.
• Promote behaviors aligned with trust values and NHS standards.
• Report and investigate incidents appropriately.
• Deliver evidence-based care following NICE guidelines, including non-medication strategies.
• Build relationships with external agencies involved in health care.
• Provide training to colleagues as needed.
• Complete accurate statistics and meet KPIs.
• Identify service improvements and implement changes.
• Conduct complex nursing assessments.
• Ensure performance targets are met.
• Use computer systems effectively, including Word, Email, and SystemOne.
• Educate patients and families to support dignity and independence.

Person specification

Education Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
• Non-Medical Prescriber
• Venepuncture and ECG training with interpretation skills
• Physical health screening capabilities

Knowledge

• Risk management and suicide prevention training
• Mentorship training
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Proficiency with SystemOne

Skills and Experience

• Experience in primary care mental health
• IT and computer skills
• Effective communication skills
• Experience using Systmone

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work under pressure and manage stress
• Self-motivated team player
• Ability to prioritize workload

Corporate

• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to travel across trust sites

Please note -

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applicants should write their applications independently. AI use may lead to rejection. Support is available for disabilities.

Professional References

Include references covering the last three years of employment. Personal references are not accepted.

Initial DBS check costs are the responsibility of the new employee and will be deducted from the first salary.

Job share applications are welcomed.

Equal Opportunities Employer

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including those with experience of using mental health services and people with disabilities. Contact us for accessible application formats.

Vacancies may close early at the Trust's discretion. Check your email regularly. If you do not hear within three weeks, consider your application unsuccessful.

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff undergo safeguarding procedures.

Covid Vaccination

Vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory. For info or to book, contact [email protected].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Appropriate UK professional registration is required. The role is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks.