Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) - Band 6
Job overview
The Emergency Department at Kingston Hospital, in collaboration with colleagues at South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust has developed an innovative model of care for patients presenting in Mental Health Crisis.
The Mental Health Assessment Unit is co-located with the Emergency Department and accepts patients from A&E who are awaiting psychiatric assessment or onward referral/admission to secondary care mental health services. The unit aims to provide an improved environment and clinical pathways for this patient group by supporting early psychosocial interventions on the principle of a ‘therapeutic wait’
Main duties of the job
As the dedicated nurse for the unit you will be primarily responsible for the care and safety of the patients within the unit and providing simple and early psychosocial interventions. With the support of the ED Nurse in Charge you will oversee the admissions to the unit from the main A&E department and work in partnership with the Psychiatric Liaison Team to facilitate patients admission to secondary care service or discharge with communicate support.
Patients in the unit may present with mental health problems, self-harm, or as a psychiatric crisis. You will also be expected to work with patients presenting with psychosomatic disorders, as well as a variety of psychological issues related to physical disorders.You will clinically supervise junior staff in the unit, directing their workload and interventions with patients’.
Working for our organisation
Development and staff wellbeing
Your growth and personal happiness matters to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development with a supportive, empowering environment.Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.
To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, regular wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.
We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly "shoutouts" and patient feedback, monthly and staff awards.
Our Trust values
These words are important reminders, but it's our behaviours that tell people who we are. We expect all colleagues to bring values to life in their work.- Compassionate
- Inclusive
- Collaborative
- Inspiring
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more and person specification information about the role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- RMN with current NMC registration
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
- Educated to degree or diploma level nursing
Experience
Essential criteria- Demonstrable post-qualification experience in psychiatry, with evidence of practice at Band 5 level.
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a severe mental illness
- Experience of working in a Liaison Psychiatry setting
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Risk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Specialist knowledge of mental health disorders as well as their relationship to physical disorders
- Knowledge of counselling skills and psychosocial interventions, particularly related to psychological adjustment to illness, physiology and nursing care