Overview
Are you a dedicated, compassionate RMN or RNLD committed to providing great care? Do you want the chance to help shape a new and genuinely innovative service for the women of Kent and Medway?
We’re creating Kent and Medway’s first, and only, NHS Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for women, and are seeking talented RMNs/RNLDs to help us deliver this vital service. We have several vacancies available, these can be full time or part time (22.5 hrs per week minimum for part time).
As a key member of the multidisciplinary care team, you will have continuing responsibility to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care, communicate findings, influence change and promote health, best practice, patient safety and experience.
Please note that the start date for this post will be February 2026, to allow for onboarding, induction, and training before the anticipated arrival of the first patient in April 2026.
We are unable to accept applications from newly qualified nurses at this stage. Given the high acuity and complexity of the environment, our priority is to establish a core team of experienced nurses to support the safe opening of the new PICU.
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, come and join our diverse and compassionate team committed to delivering excellent care and support for service users and their loved ones.
All positions also benefit from a High Cost Area allowance.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Responsibilities
* Carry out comprehensive, systematic nursing assessments which take account of relevant mental, physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, and environmental factors, in partnership with the patient and others through interaction, observation and measurement.
* Work collaboratively with other disciplines, patients and their carers to agree a holistic person-centred care plan that addresses the needs identified through assessment.
* To deliver and evaluate safe, competent patient centred-care in partnership with the service user and their carers to support recovery.
About us
Working in a PICU is very rewarding but we want to be honest and share that it is demanding too. It is likely to be needed by people with severe and complex mental health conditions (e.g. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and may be associated with Personality Disorder, Substance Misuse and PTSD).
While emotionally challenging, the opportunity to support critically unwell women back to their communities, ensuring “right care, in the right place, at the right time”, is immense, and your skilled, multidisciplinary, team will be there to support you.
You would be working as part of a team of mental health experts, dedicated to making sure the most unwell women in our communities have the same access to specialist care as men.
We are recruiting now to make sure our new female PICU team is in place with enough time to train, form team bonds and prepare. So you can all make a profound difference to patient outcomes from day one.
We also offer ongoing professional development to help you adapt and progress your career, including bespoke training and a comprehensive induction program.
Details
Date posted: 29 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,602 to £39,686 a year per annum pro rata (inclusive of high-cost area supplement)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 380-AC0731-A
Job locations: Littlebrook Hospital, Dartford, Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, DA2 6PB
Job responsibilities
What is High Cost Area Allowance?
The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting, is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,303 per year and a maximum payment of £2,198 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly) (2025 figures).
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
* BSc Nursing - RMN/RNLD
* Current NMC registration
* Experience of Mental Health/Learning Disabilities settings and/or working with people with Mental Health/Learning Disabilities conditions
Desirable
* Experience of working in a PICU/Inpatient/Female Ward
* Post registration mentorship qualification
Experience
* Experience within inpatient setting
Other information
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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Littlebrook Hospital, Dartford, Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, DA2 6PB
Employer’s website: https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk
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