About this role
Job summary
Band 6 Community Mental Health Nurse - Assertive Outreach Team
Complex Psychosis Service | Hounslow | West London NHS Trust
Are you an experienced Mental Health Nurse looking for an opportunity to make a difference to people living with complex psychosis?
We are looking for a motivated, resilient and experienced Band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurse to join our developing Assertive Outreach Team (AOT), part of the Complex Psychosis Service in Hounslow.
Our Assertive Outreach Team provides intensive, flexible and community-based support to individuals with severe and enduring mental illness, particularly complex psychosis, who require a more assertive approach to their care. Many of the people we support have experienced repeated hospital admissions, difficulties engaging with traditional mental health services, co-occurring substance misuse and significant clinical and social complexities.
This is a hands-on clinical role for a nurse who is confident working autonomously, managing complex presentations and making sound clinical decisions. You will work as a Named Worker within a multidisciplinary team, undertaking assessments, developing and delivering care plans, managing clinical risks and providing interventions that promote recovery and sustained engagement.
Main duties of the job
You will work closely with service users, families, carers and partner agencies, including crisis services, police, ambulance services, housing and supported accommodation providers, social care and drug and alcohol services, to deliver coordinated and responsive care.
We are particularly interested in nurses who:
Have experience working with people with severe and enduring mental illness, particularly psychosis.
Are confident in clinical assessment, risk formulation and management, including risks to others.
Can work independently while recognising when to seek advice or escalate concerns.
Are persistent, flexible and creative in engaging people who may be reluctant to accept support.
Have a sound understanding of mental health legislation, safeguarding and medicines management.
Are compassionate, reliable and committed to delivering recovery-focused care in the community.
Previous experience in Assertive Outreach is welcome but not essential. We encourage applications from experienced nurses working in Early Intervention in Psychosis, Community Mental Health Teams, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams and other relevant mental health services.
You will be joining a developing service with opportunities to contribute to shaping how assertive outreach is delivered in Hounslow, supported by an experienced multidisciplinary team.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training Essential
Current professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing (RMN). Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Mental Health Nurse Evidence of post-registration training and continuing professional development relevant to adult mental health.
Desirable
Further training in psychosocial interventions for psychosis, such as psychoeducation, family interventions or motivational interviewing. Training in trauma-informed care, dual diagnosis or substance misuse. Additional training in physical health assessment, ECG recording or phlebotomy.
Experience Essential
Post-registration experience in multidisciplinary mental health services supporting adults with severe and enduring mental illness, particularly complex psychosis. Experience of community-based mental health practice, including autonomous working and managing complex presentations. Experience of engaging people who are reluctant to access services, repeatedly disengage or frequently use crisis and acute services Experience of assessing, planning, delivering and reviewing care for people with complex mental health and social needs. Experience of clinical risk assessment, formulation and management, including self-harm, self-neglect, violence and risks to others. Experience of recognising deterioration or relapse and responding appropriately to crisis, including escalation. Experience of working with service users, families and carers and coordinating care with health, social care, housing, supported living and other community agencies. Experience of working with people from diverse communities using recovery-focused and culturally responsive approaches.
Desirable
Experience in Assertive Outreach, Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP), community rehabilitation, crisis or other intensive community mental health services Experience of joint working with police, ambulance, probation or other emergency and public protection services Experience of working with drug and alcohol services, homelessness services or supported accommodation providers. Experience of mentoring students or colleagues, or contributing to audit and quality improvement.
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Sound understanding of complex psychosis, its treatment, relapse prevention and impact on service users, families and carers. Knowledge of assertive outreach, community rehabilitation, recovery-focused practice and the Named Worker model. Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Section 117 aftercare and safeguarding responsibilities. Skills in mental health assessment, risk formulation, risk management and crisis and contingency planning, including risks of harm to others. Ability to recognise clinical deterioration, exercise independent professional judgement and seek advice or escalate when appropriate. Knowledge and skills in safe medicines management, including psychotropic medication, adherence, adverse effects and physical health monitoring, in line with NMC standards and Trust policy. Understanding of co-occurring substance use, social vulnerability and their impact on engagement and risk. Ability to build therapeutic relationships, work collaboratively with the MDT and communicate effectively with families, carers and external agencies. Good organisational skills, clear clinical report writing and accurate electronic record keeping, including RiO.
Desirable
Awareness of forensic risk factors and Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Knowledge of Community Treatment Orders and structured violence risk assessment approaches. Skills in psychosocial interventions for psychosis, dual diagnosis or trauma-informed care. Knowledge of NICE NG181 and the Trust CRS Operational Policy.
Personal Qualities Essential
Motivated, compassionate and non-judgemental, with a persistent and flexible approach to engagement. Able to develop and maintain positive relationships with service users, families, carers, colleagues and partner agencies. Resilient and able to remain calm and professional in challenging or unpredictable situations. Reliable, disciplined and accountable, with the initiative to work independently and collaboratively. Reflective, aware of professional boundaries and willing to seek support when needed. Committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and culturally sensitive care.
Desirable
Creative and resourceful in developing approaches to engagement and supporting service improvement.
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 known as 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 (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name West London NHS Trust
Address Hounslow House
7 Bath Road
Hounslow
TW3 3EB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)