Job summary
We're looking for an experienced mental health nurse/mental health practitioner to join our team working in HMP Low Newton, which is part of the female prison estate in Durham.
This is a rewarding post, where you will get to practice a full range of psychiatric skills and interventions.
The scope of provision in HMP Low Newton covers young people, through to older adults, spanning remand prisoners, and short to longer term custodial sentences. The role of the clinical lead will be varied which will include assessments and intervention. There is a focus on trauma informed interventions.
You will make on going assessment of needs reflecting individual circumstances, including risk assessment, providing relevant interventions and coordinating discharge planning.
You will be committed to a person-centered approach and will have an ability to prioritise and work flexibly. We offer a comprehensive induction and a vast array of personal, professional and academic training opportunities enabling you to expand your skill set and evidence-based practice.
We are looking for a skilled nurse/mental health practitioner who will thrive working in a busy environment and enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary team, alongside partner providers from a variety of internal and external services.
Main duties of the job
You will have experience providing compassionate mental health care and have an understanding of the criminal justice system. You will make on going assessment of need reflecting individual circumstances and provide relevant interventions and input to discharge planning. You will be required to have strong coordination and planning skills, with the ability to make decisions based on comprehensive health and risk assessments.
You should be innovative, flexible and able to engage with patients with complex needs. You will be committed to a person-centred approach and have the ability to prioritise.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Details
Date posted
04 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-FMH-057-25-A
Job locations
HMP Low Newton
Brasside
Durham
DH1 5YA
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Candidates must have 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
Please contact Lyndsey Dobson, Team Manager, or Paul Wilson, Service Manager for an informal discussion about the role.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
1. RNMH,/RNLD or registered practitioner, current professional registration with NMC or relevant professional body.
2. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
3. MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education (within agreed timescales)
4. Clinical Supervisor (within agreed timescales).
5. Recognised sign-off mentor or must be achieved within agreed timescale.
6. Qualified practitioner in. CBT, DBT, PSI, dual diagnosis etc. (within agreed timescale).
7. Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
8. 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
9. Non-medical Prescriber (within agreed
Desirable
10. Leadership or management qualification
11. Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
Experience
Essential
12. Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting.
13. Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams
14. Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.
15. A good understanding of the Offender Health pathway
16. Quality improvement activities
Desirable
17. Leadership or management experience
18. Experience in a secure environment
19. Experience of providing clinical supervision
20. Experience of mentoring students on practice placement.
Skills
Essential
21. Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team
22. Provide leadership and monitor, co-ordinate and prioritise the activities of a team.
23. Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordinator responsibilities
24. Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice
25. Write reports
26. Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings
27. Use approved breakaway techniques