Job summary
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will be a senior practitioner working exclusively within the adult acute inpatient wards (Southgate and Northgate), providing expert clinical leadership, advanced nursing practice, and specialist interventions to individuals admitted in acute mental health crisis. The post holder will play a pivotal role in supporting ward teams to deliver safe, therapeutic, and recovery-focused inpatient care, ensuring high standards of clinical practice across the inpatient pathway.
Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary inpatient team, the CNS will undertake comprehensive and complex mental state and risk assessments, provide advanced clinical formulation, and lead on clinical decision-making for patients with high acuity and complexity. The role will include supporting admission planning, ongoing inpatient care, and discharge processes, ensuring care is timely, person-centred, and least restrictive.
The CNS will provide specialist clinical advice and consultation to nursing and medical colleagues within the inpatient setting, supporting the management of risk, use of the Mental Health Act, positive behavioural support, and reduction of restrictive practices. The post holder will act as a key clinical resource on the wards, offering visible leadership, real-time clinical support, and escalation guidance in response to emerging risks and deterioration.
Clinical practice
* Undertake comprehensive biopsychosocial, mental state, and risk assessments for adults admitted to acute inpatient wards, including individuals with high levels of complexity, risk, and comorbidity.
* Provide advanced clinical formulation and specialist nursing interventions to support stabilisation, recovery, and risk management within the inpatient setting.
* Lead and contribute to clinical decision‑making around admission, ongoing inpatient care, use of the Mental Health Act, and discharge planning, ensuring care is person-centred and least restrictive.
* Provide visible clinical leadership during daily ward MDT reviews, safety huddles, handovers, ward rounds, and SBAR planning, supporting timely escalation and risk mitigation.
Leadership, education & supervision
* Provide high-quality clinical supervision, reflective practice, and professional support to nursing staff, with a particular focus on junior nurses, newly qualified staff, and preceptors within the inpatient wards.
Partnership working
* Work collaboratively with inpatient MDT colleagues, including medical staff, psychology, occupational therapy, and social care, to ensure coordinated and effective inpatient care.
* Liaise with community mental health teams, AMHP services, bed management, and external agencies to support safe admissions, continuity of care, and effective discharge planning.
About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Job details
Details Date posted: 02 March 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pa/pro rata
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 246-WSU7699686-A
Job locations: Adult Acute Inpatient Wards – Wedgwood House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
Person specification
* Experience: Extensive experience at which has required supervision and mentorship of others.
* Extensive experience of practice within clinical area with proven track record in delivering high quality care.
* Qualifications: RMN or RNLD professional qualification.
* Non‑Medical Independent Prescriber.
* Knowledge: Able to demonstrate sound clinical expertise and knowledge of mental health disorders and their treatments.
* Other: Ability to travel to all Trust locations if required.
* Skills: Ability to communicate widely in a clear manner.
* Ability to self‑manage time and meet agreed deadlines.
Legal and sponsorship information
* Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
* Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
* UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Employer name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address: Adult Acute Inpatient Wards – Wedgwood House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
Website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
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