Mental Health Nurse - Enhanced Therapeutic Observations and Care
The closing date is 12 May 2026
We are seeking 3 Registered Mental Health Nurses to deliver outstanding specialist mental health nursing support to patients identified as requiring enhanced therapeutic observation and care following triage and assessment by the ETOC Team Leader or Senior ETOC Nurse.
This patient group will most often involve the care of patients with mental illness or who are presenting with risks associated with a mental health condition, but may also include:
* Learning disability, autism or other neurodiversity
* Dementia
* Intoxication
Main duties of the job
Working a 24/7 shift pattern, the ETOC Practitioner will be expected to support expert assessment and review of patients triaged by the ETOC Team Leader or Senior ETOC Nurse, utilising a dedicated risk formulation model and other appropriate clinical tools to plan, deliver and review mental health or behavioural support interventions.
The ETOC Nurse will use their experience to proactively identify and assess for possible causes of behavioural escalation and, utilising excellent skills in verbal de‑escalation, develop, deliver and contribute to care plans to manage these. They will extend their expertise to support junior colleagues providing ETOC care to patients across site.
The ETOC Nurse will be required to provide direct care, particularly to more complex patients requiring ETOC, and support activities of daily living, and together with the activity co‑ordinators and wider ETOC team will formulate and deliver meaningful therapeutic engagement to support patients through their stay at King's.
The ETOC Nurse will be expected to provide and contribute to core nursing care and support with patient physical health within the scope of their own knowledge and competence.
The ETOC Nurse will on occasion be expected to assist in restricting the movement of patients who are being cared for using:
* Mental Capacity Act (2005)
* Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2005)
* Mental Health Act (1983)
Job responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities:
1. Providing hands‑on care to patients including:
* Undertaking 1‑1 enhanced therapeutic observations, care and engagement with patients in an honest, open and non‑judgmental way, acting as a role model not only to junior ETOC team staff but also to King's staff in the wider clinical area.
* Recognising and valuing patients as individuals, acknowledging the importance of maintaining patient respect and dignity at all times and ensuring that the care provided respects equality and diversity.
* Ensuring the timely escalation of any concerns to the MDT, area nurse in charge and ETOC Team Leader or Senior ETOC Nurse.
* Monitoring and recording patient clinical observations, such as physical observations and vital signs, and escalating as appropriate any signs or symptoms of deterioration to the ward or department nursing team.
* Providing person‑centred, holistic, relational care to patients presenting with complex mental health needs or other behaviours that challenge, supporting a detailed, rolling mental state examination of the patient where necessary, delivering psychotherapeutic interventions where indicated.
* Working to and following the Trust ETOC policy, along with any other policies relevant to area or role.
* Utilising experience, knowledge and skills to support junior B3 staff in the wider team and ensuring effective handovers and risk management.
* Implementing the principles of recovery – encouraging and supporting patients to engage with healthy lifestyles, facilitating psychosocial activities and other activities of their interest.
* Advocating for the patients’ needs and rights.
* Assisting patients with activities of daily living whilst encouraging independence, as appropriate.
* Assisting with patient nutritional needs – eating, drinking, menu selection, meal delivery and special diets according to the individual patients’ needs.
* Engaging with patients who may present with challenging behaviour, utilising enhanced verbal de‑escalation skills to support the safe and appropriate management of patients.
* Leading on, providing and contributing to a rolling risk assessment of patients, including an initial robust formulation, providing and recording observations, information and clinical thinking to support safety, and using tools such as DASA, DASA‑YV or BVC to assess and proactively address causes of distress before they occur.
* Escorting patients off ward where appropriate to do so.
* Ensuring relevant electronic notes and incident reports are completed in a timely manner and to a high standard.
* Participating in multidisciplinary team handovers providing excellent holistic nursing observations, including behavioural triggers and de‑escalation techniques.
* Assisting in the maintenance and safekeeping of patients’ property in line with Trust policy.
* Ensuring that all patients and relatives are welcomed and orientated to the environment, and facilitating supportive contact with the patients’ wider support network.
* Being a reflective practitioner; engaging in de‑briefs, supervision and staff support sessions, and being mindful of own mental wellbeing, personal boundaries and self‑care.
* Actively supporting the management of any mental health or behaviour emergencies involving patients under the care of the ETOC team.
Knowledge and Frameworks:
* Demonstrate a thorough understanding of mental health disorders and symptoms, assessment, risks, management and treatment, and a clear understanding of the importance of mind and body care.
* A thorough understanding of the causes of behaviour that challenges, including trauma, dementia, delirium, learning disability, autism and other forms of neuro‑diversity and cognitive impairment.
* A clear understanding of behavioural management approaches and techniques, including the role of psychopharmacology.
* A thorough working knowledge and detailed understanding of the MHA, MCA and DOLS and other legislation applicable to the practice area and how they are implemented in practice.
Communication:
* Contributing to an effective communication process with appropriate and accurate information to patients, carers, family, friends and colleagues.
* Engaging and listening carefully and actively, and responding using appropriate language and accessible communication methods and skills, developing communication skills to enable and support difficult conversations, acknowledging cultural differences and professional boundaries.
* Maintaining timely and accurate written and electronic patient records in line with Trust policy.
* Reporting, without delay, any safety or security concerns to maintain the safety of patients, carers, staff and others to appropriate authorities and organisations.
* Reporting safeguarding concerns in line with Trust policy and professional responsibilities.
* Responding respectfully to concerns or complaints raised by patients, families and carers and escalating in accordance with trust policies.
* Maintaining confidential information in accordance with Trust Policies.
Team working and Professional development:
* Protecting patients, self and others by maintaining a clean and healthy environment in accordance with health and safety and infection control policies.
* Supporting senior staff in ensuring audit and compliance activities and reports are kept up to date.
* Working in ways that support shared responsibility within the team, demonstrating support, respect and courtesy towards colleagues, working in a professional manner and with Trust values always in mind, respecting the boundaries of the relationship with patients, carers and staff.
* Attending and participating in team meetings where required.
* Providing supervision to junior colleagues as required, both on a shift‑by‑shift basis and more formally as a named supervisor.
* Supporting any teaching commitments held by the team as required.
* Engaging in reflective practice to ensure effective patient care is based on evidence‑based practice, and with Trust values in mind. Attending staff training and meetings including reflective practice groups where required.
* Demonstrating own role to others and acting as a role model to others at all times in accordance with Trust values.
* Undertaking any other duties that are commensurate with the band and nature of the post.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Registered Mental Health Nurse with active UK NMC registration at the time of starting appointment.
* Evidence of post‑registration professional development.
* Registered General Adult, Paediatric or Learning Disability Nurse.
* Further education or qualification related to the management of violence and aggression.
Knowledge and Experience
* Able to manage patients’ emotional needs and demonstrate empathy and caring.
* Ability to function effectively under pressure.
* Clinical expertise relevant to the area.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£38,488 to £46,852 a year per annum including high cost area
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