Job overview
Blake Ward is an 8-bed female psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) supporting female patients in the Trust during a time when they require intensive nursing intervention to support recovery of their mental illness.
The post holder will be a member of the PICU ward team and will support women in an acute phase of their illness with day-to-day activities and supporting with the stabilisation of their mental health.
The post holder will be a motivated and compassionate individual who will provide support and assistance to the professionally qualified staff on the specialist ward. Responsibilities will include direct nursing care, clerical, cleaning and ancillary duties. They will use a compassionate and experience focused, trauma informed approach to all aspects of patient care within the specialised service.
Main duties of the job
1. Contribute to patient care on Blake Ward
2. To be an active member of the Ward Team
3. To be able to follow and carry out directions from qualified staff
4. Develop therapeutic professional relationships with patients
5. Work as part of a primary nursing team for identified patient
6. Promote and support patients’ rights, beliefs and choices whilst on Blake Ward, taking into account issues of diversity and cultural needs.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Staff benefits
7. Pay Enhancements:
Band
Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight)
3
Time plus 35%
Time plus 69%
8. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
9. Excellent pension
10. Cycle to work scheme
11. Salary sacrifice car scheme
12. Wellbeing programme
13. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
14. Pay Enhancements:
Band
Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight)
1
Time plus 47%
Time plus 94%
2
Time plus 41%
Time plus 83%
3
Time plus 35%
Time plus 69%
4 – 9
Time plus 30%
Time plus 60%
15. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
16. Excellent pension
17. Cycle to work scheme
18. Salary sacrifice car scheme
19. Wellbeing programme
20. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Knowledge, Education and Experience
Essential criteria
21. Experience in a caring role
22. Must demonstrate the ability to make written entries in care plans
Desirable criteria
23. Experience working in PICU or acute female mental health services
24. Vocational qualification at level 3 or equivalent experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
25. Good interpersonal and communication skills
26. Ability to respond sensitively to emotional distress
27. Ability to work as part of a team
28. Demonstrate an interest in working in this area
Desirable criteria
29. Awareness of least restrictive practice principles
30. Be aware of stigma and discrimination of persons with Mental Health
31. Show initiative and ability to create a therapeutic environment
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.