Mental Health Lead Nurse

The Mental Health Lead Nurse will provide clinical leadership and specialist mental health expertise within a care home setting. This candidate will support residents with a range or enduring and complex mental health needs, ensuring that the care is person centered, safe, recovery focused and evidence based in accordance with professional standards, legislation and policies. The role will entail providing clinical supervision, education and support to the care team and contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health care within the service.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as a clinical lead for mental health within the care home.

• Provide specialist advice and guidance to staff regarding the individuals needs.

• Promote a person centered, recovery focused and trauma informed approach to care.

• Undertake or contribute to comprehensive mental health assessments, intervention, monitoring, and review of their mental health needs. Identify changes in presentation, behaviour or mental state and ensure appropriate action.

• Promote positive risk taking and least restrictive approaches where appropriate.

• Support residents to develop coping strategies and maintain emotional wellbeing.

• Act as a key point of contact for mental health-related safeguarding concerns.

• Support the safe management and administration of prescribed medication. Monitor residents for therapeutic effects, side effects and changes in presentation associated with medication. Educate staff on the importance of safe monitoring of psychotropic medication and need for regular review.

• Provide clinical supervision, support/guidance to nursing and care staff. Support staff to develop their competence and confidence when recognising and responding to mental health needs. Support new staff through induction and ongoing development.

• Deliver / coordinate training relating to mental health.

• Promote reflective practice and learning from incidents and clinical reviews.

• Attend and contribute to MDT meetings and care reviews. Ensure effective communication and information sharing through the team and support timely referrals when needed for specialist services.