Job Description

Have you ever wanted to work in PICU?



Elizabeth Casson House is an 8-bed female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) based at Callington Road Hospital. We provide specialist care for individuals who require high levels of support and enhanced safety during periods of mental health crisis, offering a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on recovery when it matters most.



This is a 6-month secondment for a Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) who is passionate about trauma-informed care and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You'll join a forward-thinking team committed to collaborative working, professional development and high quality care.



As a Band 5 RMN on Elizabeth Casson House, you will play a crucial role within the team and in the day-to-day running of the ward, ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for service users during their most challenging times.

Your responsibilities will include:

Delivering high-quality, trauma-informed nursing care to service users during acute episodes of mental illness.



Working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and external agencies such as prisons and forensic teams.



Building therapeutic relationships and supporting service users through their recovery journey, making a real difference during times of crisis.



Contributing to care planning, risk assessment, and safe management of complex needs in a specialist PICU environment.



Engaging in reflective practice, clinical supervision, and ongoing professional development to enhance your skills and knowledge.



We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.



We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.



Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.



AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.



At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.



Description of the duties



1. Clinical Nursing Practice



To carry out clinical nursing practice within designated areas, working to provide high quality, evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, intervention and evaluation.

This will include:

Utilising excellent communication skills to develop a rapport with service users, carers, colleagues and visitors. Provide and receive complex sensitive confidential information. Recognising the potential barriers to communication and practicing with empathy, reassurance and understanding. Undertaking comprehensive nursing assessments using analytical and judgement skills. Collaboratively undertaking clinical risk assessments and developing and supporting personal safety plans and crisis and contingency planning with the service user, and where appropriate carers and families. Using professional, clinical knowledge acquired through training to degree/diploma level and current practice-based evidence to plan and organise provision of care. Planning appropriate care and treatment interventions alongside colleagues, service users and where appropriate carers and families. Providing specialist advice in relation to care to service users and where appropriate carers and families. Delivering a range of psychosocially-informed nursing therapies in accordance with service user's care plans, needs and preferences. Utilise opportunities to offer health promotion and education. Demonstrating developed nursing skills obtained through practice, understanding the importance of accuracy and a narrow margin for error. Demonstrating a commitment to reducing restrictive practice. Administering appropriate medication within relevant Trust and legislative guidance. Ensuring the ordering, storing and disposal of medication complies with relevant Trust and legislative guidance. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the key elements of the relevant Mental Health Legislation. Collaboratively evaluating the impact and effectiveness of care and working to improve these outcomes. Supervising the practice of less experienced and newly qualified practitioners, student nurses or support worker colleagues.

2. Continuing Professional Development



To maintain and develop professional knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure best practice delivery including evidence based, current and responsive interventions in line with the changing needs of the service user and the service.

This will include:

Taking responsibility for post-registration education and for continuing professional development as outlined in NMC standards. Participating in education and training opportunities. Undertaking a thorough revalidation process in line with NMC and AWP policy. Maintaining up to date knowledge of the relevant medicines, related medication management issues, and act in accordance with the appropriate NMC standards and Trust guidance. Abiding by the legal rules, statutory regulations and professional responsibilities in relation to practice as outlined in the NMC code of conduct. Receiving restorative clinical supervision on a regular basis in line with the Trust clinical supervision policy. Engaging in management supervision from an identified line manager, or appropriate delegate, in line with the Trust management supervision policy. Engaging with Trust appraisal process in line with policy. Maintaining Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). Working within the Trust Policies and Procedures.

3. Education, Development and Collaborative Learning



To work towards a sustainable culture of continuous collaborative learning to keep own practice clinically

current, and to foster a team learning ethos.

This will include:

Support effective learning environments by upholding the NHSE Safe Learning Environment Charter principals. Modelling nursing skills and promoting the value of clinical nursing to modern mental healthcare at any opportunity including demonstrating own activities to new starters, less experienced practitioners and students. Providing advice, mentoring and supervision (both management and clinical) for colleagues. Acting as a Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor for a range of learners, and provide robust.

practice development and assessment experiences.

Support other registrants to undertake a thorough revalidation process in line with NMC and AWP policy.

4. Recording, Reporting and Communication



To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and professional guidelines.

This will include:

Keeping contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with NMC guidelines and Trust policy. Adhere to records management requirements as outlined in Trust policies and procedures . Practice within the legal requirements relevant to the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Legislation. Taking part in a rolling programme of audit. Undertaking relevant practice development and/or research activity.

5. Compassionate Leadership and Management



To use own skills, knowledge and resources to provide clinical leadership for colleagues and external professionals at all levels, acting as a professional ambassador for mental health and learning disabilities

nursing, and related development activities.



To make best use of available workforce resources based on

agreed staffing models ensuring provision of best care possible.



Follow Trust and Service Policies in regard to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.

This will include:

Using own skills, knowledge and resources to provide clinical leadership for all members of the MDT.



Effectively managing own time.



Undertaking the Nurse in Charge role in absence of a more senior nurse, or as part of developmental activity.



Providing supervision for unregistered practitioners in accordance with Trust management and clinical supervision policies.



Providing appraisals for junior staff in accordance with the Trust appraisal policy.



Maintaining the safety of service users and staff within the inpatient setting and ensure legal obligations are fulfilled.



Understanding any identified environmental risks and their mitigation plans.



Taking part in environmental risk assessments as requested.



Utilising electronic rostering systems.



Managing temporary staffing resources in line with AWP guidance.



Being familiar with and complying with all Policies and Procedures operational within the Trust.



Maintaining stock control and a personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources.