Staff Nurse | Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Maidstone is seeking a Band 5 Staff Nurse for its detoxification unit. The role involves coordinating care for patients undergoing substance withdrawal, administering medication, and facilitating therapeutic group sessions. Ideal candidates will have at least 18 months of post-registration experience and a passion for addiction services. Join a committed team that values compassionate and effective mental health care, ensuring the safety and support of individuals in recovery.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 18 months post-registered experience.
• Experience in addiction services is essential.
• Understanding of relapse prevention strategies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the running of the inpatient detox unit.
• Administer medication and assess withdrawal symptoms.
• Lead recovery-focused group sessions.
• Supervise support workers.

Skills

Medication administration

Clinical assessment

Risk management

Facilitating group therapy

Education

Registered Nurse with 18 months post-registration experience

Job description

We are looking for a Band 5 Staff Nurse to join our busy team at Bridge House, based in Maidstone.

You will be required to be the Nurse In Charge of a stand‑alone 9 bedded Inpatient Detoxification Unit, coordinating the running of the unit, admissions and discharges, working alongside support workers. You will be responsible for the safety of highly complex patients undergoing alcohol, opiate and other substance withdrawals.

The client group has an extensive history of trauma and require psychosocial interventions such as group therapy, which you will be expected to facilitate.

This position requires a passionate and enthusiastic registered nurse with a minimum of 18months post‑registered experience and a passion for working in addiction services. Please be advised that this position is not open to those registered nurses who have recently qualified and require a period of preceptorship.

• Giving medication, assessing and treating acute withdrawal symptoms
• Assessing and treating physical health needs
• Using recognised assessment tools to inform care
• Facilitating recovery focussed group sessions
• Coordinating support workers and delegation of tasks
• Completing admission and discharge processes
• Have an understanding of relapse prevention strategies and signposting
• Providing supervision for support workers
• PA/PS for students

We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated ‘Good’ by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It’s why we’re passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.

Take a look at our Community Nursing Video

The Staff Nurse at Bridge House inpatient detoxification unit plays a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate care to individuals undergoing substance and alcohol withdrawal.

The role includes clinical assessment, medication administration, risk management, and therapeutic engagement, all aligned with NICE guidelines.

Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, the nurse supports recovery through structured interventions and emotional support. Their contribution enhances service quality, promotes patient safety, and strengthens team cohesion—ensuring a responsive, person-centred environment that empowers clients and upholds the organisation’s commitment to excellence in addiction care.

Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

This advert closes on Tuesday 6 Jan 2026