Physical Health Specialist Nurse
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust seeks a dynamic and experienced Band 7 Physical Health Specialist Nurse to join our Corporate Physical Health Team on a full‑time basis, working Monday‑Friday 09:00‑17:00. The post involves working flexibly across inpatient acute wards at Maudsley Hospital, New Douglas Bennett House, Bethlem Royal Hospital and the Ladywell Unit at University Hospital Lewisham.
Responsibilities
* Lead and support multiple inpatient teams to deliver safe, effective, evidence‑based physical health care across inpatient services.
* Promote health inclusion in primary and secondary care; support service users to access community health services and national screening programmes.
* Work closely with clinical leads to deliver on quality and improvement, consistent with CQC standards, national guidelines, Trust values and strategic objectives.
* Use expertise in assessing and supporting service users with comorbid serious mental illness (SMI) and physical health conditions to develop MDT colleagues.
* Advocate for the importance of physical healthcare for people with SMI and engage service users, carers and colleagues.
* Develop and deliver training, education and development opportunities for staff across all professional backgrounds.
* Deliver in‑house training on the management of medical emergencies (Trust Resuscitation Officer).
* Drive evaluation, research and audit to improve quality and assurance.
* Provide treatment and preventative healthcare services as requested.
* Support teams to deliver local and national objectives for physical health care in mental health services.
* Ensure accurate, up‑to‑date documentation and record‑keeping.
* Collect and collate information about clinical activity on the Electronic Patient Record.
* Report progress to care and management teams and contribute to service development.
* Maintain professional standards and attitudes towards the care and treatment of service users and families.
* Keep current knowledge of infection prevention & control, medical device management and physical health care through continuing education.
* Work collaboratively with inpatient MDTs; develop effective working relationships.
* Supervise junior colleagues or trainees.
* Maintain a system to offer physical health screening to all inpatients with SMI in the post holder’s designated clinical area.
* Support assessment and management of service users’ physical health care needs through feedback, discussion and reviews with the clinical team.
* Understand barriers to physical health checks for people with SMI, troubleshoot and provide solutions.
* Maintain effective relationships and clear lines of communication with other professionals, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.
Qualifications
* First level nursing qualification (RGN) or dual registration (RGN/RMN)
* Current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK)
* Clinical Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor training (NMC 2018)
* Teaching/training qualification
* Evidence of post‑graduate professional development (e.g., MSc, PGDip)
* Post‑graduate training in assessment and management of physical health conditions
* Training in clinical supervision
Experience
* Experience and ability in assessing and treating people with serious mental illness (SMI) and co‑morbidity with physical health conditions
* Significant post‑qualification experience working as an RGN in inpatient acute settings
* Experience taking clinical responsibility for physical health care delivery in a specified clinical area
* Experience teaching or training others
* Experience in clinical audit, governance and assurance processes/frameworks
* Experience monitoring the physical health of people with SMI
* Experience working in primary care
* Experience in clinical supervision
Knowledge & Skills
* Fundamental skills in managing diabetes, hypertension, delirium, wound care and infection including sepsis
* Competency in clinical judgement and risk assessment
* Ability to adopt new concepts and forward‑thinking approaches
* Understanding of aggravating and maintaining factors in physical health and comorbid mental disorders
* Use of a variety of patient‑supportive approaches
* Phlebotomy qualification and current skill
* ECG qualification and current skill
* Ability to support colleagues from different professional backgrounds
* Research‑informed understanding of evidence‑based assessment and treatment methods
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The Trust is committed to providing services that embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:
* Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment, and fostering good relations in everyday practice
* Ensuring that all services and staff understand and support our commitment
* Providing a smoke‑free environment
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