About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) to join our multidisciplinary team across two GP surgeries in Newport. This is an exciting opportunity to work as an integral member of a GP-led primary care team, providing assessment, ongoing management and support for patients experiencing a range of acute and chronic mental health difficulties.
The post holder will work autonomously within their professional scope, undertaking face-to-face and telephone consultations, reviewing patients progress, assessing clinical risk and coordinating appropriate care. Close collaboration with GPs will be central to the role, including discussion of complex cases, changes in mental state and medication reviews.
The successful candidate will be confident in clinical decision-making, able to prioritise a varied caseload and skilled at recognising when patients require additional or urgent specialist support. They will be committed to compassionate, person-centred care and effective multidisciplinary working.
Working across two practices, this role offers the opportunity to build strong relationships with patients and colleagues and to contribute meaningfully to the delivery of integrated mental health care within general practice.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide assessment, management and follow-up for patients presenting with acute and chronic mental health difficulties across two GP surgeries in Newport.
Key responsibilities include
- Undertaking face-to-face and telephone mental health consultations, including assessment of mental state, clinical needs and risk.
- Managing an ongoing caseload, reviewing progress and developing appropriate, person-centred care plans.
- Identifying deterioration or urgent mental health needs and arranging timely escalation or referral to crisis and specialist services when indicated.
- Working closely with GPs to discuss clinical assessments, complex cases, risk management, treatment options and medication reviews.
- Liaising with community mental health teams, secondary care and other relevant services to promote continuity of care.
- Supporting patients to understand and manage their mental health conditions and engage with appropriate treatment and support.
- Maintaining accurate clinical records and working in accordance with professional standards, safeguarding requirements and practice policies.
The successful candidate will be an experienced mental health nurse who can work independently while recognising the importance of collaborative decision-making, appropriate clinical supervision and timely escalation of concerns.
About us
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a forward thinking team under a well established partnership serving a shared 33,000 patient list in South Wales .
Our team is comprised of :
6 GP Partners and 5 salaried GPs
Mental Health practitioner
Physicians Associates
First Contact physiotherapists
General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Practice Pharmacists
Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants
Administrators
Reception Team
Management Team
We are an approved GP Specialty Training Practice with a strong focus on education for both GP registrars and medical students. We are recognised as a leading Postgraduate 'Training Practice' affiliated to the Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, to provide undergraduate education.
As a partnership we are committed to giving our patients access to new treatments and healthcare opportunities through NHS-approved research studies.
If you are ready to make a commitment to our strong, highly capable team we welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) Location: Two GP surgeries in Newport, South Wales Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week Employer: GP practice group / partnership Reports to: To be confirmed by the employer Salary / Pay Band: To be confirmed
- 1. Job Purpose
To provide high-quality mental health assessment, clinical management and ongoing support for patients presenting with acute and chronic mental health difficulties across two GP surgeries in Newport.
The post holder will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, exercising professional autonomy within their scope of practice and working closely with GPs to support safe, effective and coordinated patient care.
The role will focus on assessing mental health needs, managing an ongoing caseload, identifying and responding to clinical risk, reviewing patients progress and facilitating access to appropriate specialist services when required.
- 2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Clinical assessment and management
- Undertake face-to-face and telephone consultations with patients experiencing a range of mental health difficulties.
- Conduct appropriate mental state assessments and holistic assessments of patients mental health needs.
- Assess and monitor clinical risk, including risks relating to self-harm, suicide, vulnerability and deterioration in mental state.
- Develop, implement and review individualised care plans in collaboration with patients, GPs and other relevant professionals.
- Manage an ongoing caseload, prioritising appointments and follow-up according to clinical need and risk.
- Provide ongoing monitoring and support for patients with chronic or enduring mental health conditions.
- Recognise changes in presentation and respond appropriately to emerging or deteriorating mental health needs.
- Work within professional competence, relevant clinical guidance and agreed practice procedures.
2.2 Urgent mental health presentations and risk management
- Assess patients presenting with urgent mental health concerns and determine appropriate next steps.
- Recognise situations requiring urgent medical review, specialist mental health assessment or emergency intervention.
- Escalate clinical concerns promptly to the appropriate GP, crisis service or emergency service.
- Liaise with relevant services to facilitate timely assessment and continuity of care.
- Document risk assessments, clinical decisions, safety planning and escalation arrangements accurately.
2.3 Working with GPs and the multidisciplinary team
- Work closely with GPs across both surgeries to coordinate the care of patients with mental health needs.
- Discuss clinical assessments, complex presentations, changes in mental state, risk and management plans with GPs.
- Contribute to shared clinical decision-making and the development of appropriate treatment and follow-up plans.
- Undertake medication reviews within the post holders competence and agreed responsibilities, discussing recommendations and treatment considerations with GPs.
- Liaise with community mental health teams, psychiatrists, crisis services and other relevant health and social care professionals.
- Facilitate appropriate referrals and communication between primary care and specialist services.
- Contribute to multidisciplinary discussions and service development as appropriate.
2.4 Patient-centred care and communication
- Establish therapeutic relationships with patients based on trust, respect and professional boundaries.
- Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Involve patients in decisions about their care and promote recovery, independence and self-management where appropriate.
- Provide information about relevant services, treatment options and sources of support.
- Involve family members or carers where appropriate, with due regard to consent, confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Recognise the impact of social circumstances and wider health needs on mental wellbeing and coordinate support where appropriate.
2.5 Clinical documentation and information governance
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records in accordance with professional and practice requirements.
- Record assessments, care plans, clinical decisions, medication-related discussions and referrals appropriately.
- Use the practices clinical systems effectively and comply with information governance and data protection requirements.
- Communicate relevant clinical information to other professionals involved in patient care, in accordance with confidentiality requirements.
2.6 Safeguarding, clinical governance and professional development
- Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding concerns in accordance with local procedures.
- Practise in accordance with the NMC Code and other applicable professional standards.
- Maintain current professional registration and undertake continuing professional development.
- Participate in appropriate clinical supervision, reflective practice and professional support arrangements.
- Comply with relevant health and safety, infection prevention, confidentiality and clinical governance policies.
- Identify opportunities to improve the quality, safety and coordination of mental health care within the practices.
- 3. Organisation and Working Arrangements
The post holder will work across two GP surgeries in Newport as a member of the practices multidisciplinary teams.
The role requires effective organisation, independent clinical working and close collaboration with GPs and other healthcare professionals. The post holder will be expected to manage competing demands, prioritise according to clinical urgency and communicate promptly when additional support or escalation is required.
The division of working time between the two sites, clinic arrangements and any specific administrative or meeting commitments will be agreed with the employer.
- 4. Professional Accountability and Scope of Practice
The post holder will be professionally accountable for their own practice and must work within their competence, professional registration requirements and agreed responsibilities.
Clinical decisions will be made in accordance with professional standards, relevant guidance and practice protocols. The post holder must seek advice or escalate concerns when a patients needs exceed their scope of practice or require additional clinical input.
Medication-related responsibilities will be undertaken within the post holders competence and agreed arrangements, working collaboratively with GPs. Independent prescribing is not specified as a requirement of this post.
- 5. General
The post holder will comply with the policies and procedures of the employing organisation and maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality and patient care.
This job description outlines the principal responsibilities of the role and may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder as service requirements develop. Any additional duties must be appropriate to the post, the individuals competence and the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post-registration experience in mental health nursing.
- Experience assessing and managing patients with a range of acute and chronic mental health conditions.
- Experience undertaking mental state assessments and clinical risk assessments.
- Experience managing a caseload and coordinating ongoing patient care.
- Experience working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
Desirable
- Experience working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience working within or alongside general practice or other primary care services.
- Experience liaising with crisis services, secondary care and community mental health teams.
- Experience undertaking medication reviews and contributing to treatment discussions with prescribers.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to mental health nursing.
Desirable
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or additional training in mental health assessment, risk management or evidence-based mental health interventions.
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
Ringland Medical Practice
Address
Ringland Health Centre
Ringland Circle
Newport
NP19 9PS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://ringlandmedicalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)