Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Mental Health Practice Development Nurse (Band 7) to support the education, professional development, and clinical practice standards of nursing staff within Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC), including the Emergency Department, and Acute and General Medicine (AGM) inpatient wards.
Working as part of the Mental Health Enhanced Care Team, and closely with Departmental Sisters/Charge Nurses and the wider multidisciplinary teams, you will ensure staff are skilled, confident, and competent in delivering safe, compassionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and least-restrictive care to patients with complex mental health needs.
You will lead and deliver specialist training, mentorship, and clinical supervision, supporting staff development, statutory and mandatory training, and preceptorship programmes. You will monitor and evaluate clinical practice, contribute to quality improvement initiatives, and help embed evidence-based standards across the directorates. You will work clinically, driving improvements in the standard and quality of care being delivered, leading by example.
This is a unique opportunity to shape mental health care in a fast-paced acute hospital environment, bridging mental and physical health pathways, enhancing staff confidence, and improving outcomes for patients experiencing mental health crises.
Closing date: 24/12/2025
Main duties of the job
The Mental Health Practice Development Nurse (PDN) will lead and coordinate education, training, and professional development for nursing staff across UEC and AGM wards, supporting patients with complex mental health needs. Working closely with non-mental health PDNs, Matrons, and multidisciplinary teams, the post holder will help staff build the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to deliver high-quality, person-centred mental health care. They will champion compassionate, trauma-informed, and least-restrictive approaches.
Key duties include designing, delivering, and evaluating specialist training, alongside providing clinical supervision, mentorship, and preceptorship. The PDN will monitor practice standards, support quality improvement activity, contribute to audits, and embed evidence-based care. They will identify learning needs, promote reflective practice, and support staff following challenging incidents to sustain a psychologically safe environment.
The PDN will support statutory and mandatory training, the development of new and existing staff, and the integration of mental and physical health pathways. Acting as an expert resource for clinical problem-solving, they will escalate concerns appropriately and contribute to service development. This role provides a vital link between clinical education, practice improvement, and frontline mental health care in a fast-paced acute hospital setting.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. See
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. See
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities. See
We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description and Person Spec for more detailed description of the role of a PDN in GSTT/
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Mental Health Nurse or dual registered RN/ RN(MH) or RN(LD)/ RN(MH). To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
2. Specialist professional knowledge of mentorship, education and development practice to post-graduate level or equivalent
Desirable criteria
3. Postgraduate Certificate Advanced Practice
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience of designing, delivering and evaluating training sessions / programmes
5. Significant post registration experience within mental health
6. Experience of mentoring/ supervising/ assessing students and junior colleagues in practice
7. Leadership/ management experience
Desirable criteria
8. Experience working in an Acute Hospital
Skills/ Abilities
Essential criteria
9. Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills
10. Excellent time management and organisational skills, particularly re: working to deadlines
11. Ability to confidently and articulately present to large audiences
Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. Understanding of the principles of teaching and learning and their application within the practice setting
13. Understanding and knowledge of curriculum design and development.
14. Knowledge of local, regional and national policies pertaining to practice experience and education
15. Knowledge of recruitment, selection, performance management and disciplinary procedures.
16. Understanding of the interface between physical and mental health
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.