Registered Mental Health Nurse

NHS; Hailsham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Hailsham is seeking a compassionate Registered Mental Health Nurse (Band 5) to deliver high-quality care to individuals facing acute mental health challenges. This role includes managing nursing shifts, assessing patient care needs, and working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Newly qualified nurses are welcome, and the position offers support for professional growth and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

NHS pensions

Shift enhancements for weekends and bank holidays

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a current UK professional registration.
• Newly qualified nurses welcome; preceptorship provided.
• Experience in mental health settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage shifts and participate in regular patient care reviews.
• Assess and deliver tailored nursing care to patients.
• Support patients in their recovery journey.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Empathy

Problem-solving skills

Education

Registered Nurse (Mental Health) NMC Registered

Evidence of post-registration professional development (desirable)

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and resilient Registered Mental Health Nurse (Band 5) to join our multidisciplinary team. The post holder will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals experiencing acute or severe mental health conditions.

As a valued team member, you will work with service users, carers and the MDT to deliver evidence-based interventions. Your care, compassion and collaboration will be a key part of the process of supporting patients.

Excellent communication skills are vital, and we also encourage regular supervision and reflective practice to provide a supportive environment and to further enhance skills.

Full-time hours working on a rota system. Rotational nights, weekends and bank holiday working - all of which attract shift enhancements. Excellent rates of pay as per the agenda for change and an additional package of NHS pensions and generous annual leave entitlement.

Applicants must have a current UK professional registration.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of this job are:

• Effectively manage the shift & participate in regular meetings to review & monitor patients' care plans.
• Provide nursing perspectives in MDT meetings, tribunals & CPA reviews.
• Assess, plan, & deliver high-quality nursing care tailored to patients' needs.
• Administer medication safely, monitor its effects & manage any side effects.
• Conduct risk assessments & implement appropriate risk management strategies.
• De-escalate challenging behaviours & manage aggression using approved techniques (e.g., PMVA or MAPPA).
• Support patients in their recovery journey, focusing on rehabilitation & reintegration.
• Maintain accurate & up-to-date documentation while ensuring confidentiality in line with GDPR and safeguarding policies.
• Advocate for patients' rights while balancing risk management & public protection.
• Take on the role of Primary Nurse, reinforcing structured routines, maintaining therapeutic boundaries & ensuring junior staff adhere to best practices.
• Support the Ward Manager in supervising junior staff & contributing to service improvement initiatives, policy development, & audits.
• Complete incident reports & participate in post-incident debriefs to enhance learning and service development.

About us

The Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust are committed to investing in staff and offer regular quality supervision, reflective practice, in-depth training and development opportunities.

The Forensic Healthcare Service supports nurses to undertake both academic and professional development opportunities including nurse prescribing, advanced clinical practice and multi-professional responsible clinicians. We are keen to offer staff the support to progress through a clinical career pathway and have nurses undertaking MSc programs and degree modules.

Hellingly Centre is a member of Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services. QNFMHS benchmarks via peer reviews, creating opportunities for qualified staff to become certified peer reviewers for nationwide forensic services.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) within a secure forensic setting, providing high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to individuals with complex mental health needs, who may also have a history of offending behaviour. The role requires a high level of clinical skill, emotional resilience, and a strong understanding of risk management within the legal and security framework of forensic healthcare.

Clinical Care

• Deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based nursing care to service users with mental health needs.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and carers to formulate and review care plans.
• Administer prescribed medications, monitor their effects, and ensure accurate documentation.
• Support patients in daily living activities and recovery-focused interventions.

Multidisciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists.
• Attend and contribute to ward rounds, case conferences, and care planning meetings (CPA).

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Adhere to safeguarding procedures and promote the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
• Respond appropriately to challenging behaviours using de-escalation techniques and, where necessary, safe restraint procedures (PMVA training may be required).

Professional Development

• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisals, and mandatory training.
• Take part in quality improvement initiatives and audits.

Communication and Documentation

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date patient records using electronic systems.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, and other professionals.
• Ensure confidentiality and data protection compliance.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) NMC Registered
• Evidence of post-registration professional development (desirable)

Experience

• Newly qualified nurses welcome (preceptorship provided)
• Experience working in mental health settings (desirable)

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental attitude