Physical Healthcare Nurse

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

West London NHS Trust is looking for a Physical Healthcare Nurse to join our committed team, supporting the physical healthcare needs of inpatients across Acute mental health inpatient services. This position offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, delivering comprehensive physical health support to individuals with complex mental health needs.

This role requires a proactive and skilled nurse with a deep commitment to patient care and a passion for continuous professional growth. As a valued team member, you will provide high-quality physical healthcare interventions, support ward-based staff in advancing their physical healthcare skills, and help deliver education initiatives that enhance patient well-being. You will play a critical role in our integrated care approach, improving the lives of our patients through dedicated, holistic support.

The physical health nursing team is dedicated to fostering growth and development within our team. After one year in this role, qualified candidates will have the opportunity to apply for the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Master's Apprenticeship, paving the way for career advancement and further specialization in integrated healthcare.

Main duties of the job

As a Physical Healthcare Nurse, the candidate will play a critical role in supporting the physical health needs of inpatients within mental health units, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care is provided alongside mental health services. Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, they will actively engage with patients to conduct comprehensive health assessments, monitor physical health conditions, and provide hands-on care that includes minor procedures and vital sign monitoring. They will also serve as a resource for ward-based staff, guiding and mentoring colleagues in physical health care practices and skill development to enhance overall patient care across units.

To excel in this role, the candidate should be a proactive and skilled nurse with a strong foundation in physical health assessment and treatment, as well as an empathetic approach to patient interaction. The role requires the ability to handle medical emergencies calmly and effectively, with the confidence to lead during simulations and real-world incidents. Key qualities include excellent communication skills, clinical judgment, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care. Candidates should be organized, attentive to detail, and passionate about promoting integrated care in a mental health setting.

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' overall by 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 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Current professional registration with statutory body: The Nursing and Midwifery Council UK
• Clinical practice Supervision and Practice assessor training (NMC, 2018)
• Teaching/Training qualification
• Evidence of post-graduate professional development e.g. MSc, PGDip.
• Post-graduate training in the assessment and management of physical health conditions

Experience

• Experience and ability in the assessment and treatment of people with serious mental illness (SMI) and co-morbid physical health conditions
• Significant post-qualification experience of working as an RGN in inpatient acute settings
• Experience and ability to take clinical responsibility for physical health care delivery in a specified clinical area
• Experience teaching / training others.
• Experience in clinical audit, governance and assurance processes/frameworks
• Experience of monitoring the physical health of people with serious mental illness (SMI)
• Experience of working in Primary Care
• Experience in clinical supervision

Knowledge

• Fundamental skills in managing diabetes, hypertension, delirium, wound care and infection including sepsis.
• Evidence of competency in clinical judgement and risk assessment
• Ability to take on new concepts / forward thinking
• Clear understanding of aggravating and maintaining factors in physical health and comorbid mental disorders

Skills

• Wound care management
• Able to take ECG
• Interoperate NEWS score observations

Other Requirements

• Willingness to undergo additional training, education and mentoring to develop clinical skills

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.