Overview
Join to apply for the Physical Health Nurse role at Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust. We are creating Kent and Medway’s first, and only, NHS Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for women, and are seeking a talented Physical Health Nurse to help us deliver this vital service. The start date for this post will be January 2026, to allow for onboarding, induction, and training before the anticipated arrival of the first patient in April 2026. All positions also benefit from a High Cost Area allowance. For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Megan Coomber Job title: Matron Email address: megan.coomber@nhs.net Telephone number: 01322 622222.
Join a diverse and compassionate team committed to delivering excellent care and support for service users and their loved ones. We are recruiting now to ensure our new female PICU team is in place with enough time to train, form team bonds and prepare. The role offers ongoing professional development, bespoke training, and a comprehensive induction program.
Responsibilities
* To ensure that the physical health needs are met for those individuals with mental illness are met whilst an inpatient on a Mental health Ward
* Develop staff knowledge to enhance their confidence and competence to enable them to recognise and address the physical health needs of acutely unwell patients within an inpatient unit. This includes developing their ability to collaboratively develop a person-centred care plan.
* Work in a challenging/often demanding driven environment
* Engage in audit and evaluation
* Be part of a team wishing to always improve the user experience of mental health services
* Support the management team in a leadership role
* Offer up-to-date training in physical health for all ward staff
* Liaise and build a working relationship within our local acute Trust hospitals.
* To be confident and competent to perform the relevant nursing physical health assessments, which includes the 6 parameters of the Lester Tool for all patients within 72 hours of admission, including all vital signs.
* To provide education either in a group setting or on a one to one basis for our patients concerning living a healthier lifestyle.
Working in a PICU is rewarding but demanding. It is likely to involve caring for people with severe and complex mental health conditions, and the team will support you to deliver right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Qualifications / Requirements
* Dedicated, compassionate Physical Health Nurse (RGN)
* Experience in providing comprehensive physical healthcare in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team
* Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care with a focus on physical health promotion, prevention and management
* Ability to perform physical health assessments including the Lester Tool’s 6 parameters within 72 hours of admission
* Ability to educate patients in living a healthier lifestyle, in group or one-to-one settings
Salary note: All jobs based at our Dartford unit come with a High Cost Area Supplement: 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1303 per year and a maximum payment of £2198 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly). The salary listed is inclusive of the High-Cost Area Allowance.
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