Job summary
Are you a passionate and experienced mental health professional ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Join one of England's top-performing and most inclusive NHS Trusts as our new Associate Clinical Lead - Mental Health as a fixed 1 year term contract.

At Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud of our commitment to delivering world-class care, supporting our diverse workforce, and leading innovation in healthcare. As part of our Corporate Nursing division, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting mental health services across our Trust.

Main duties of the job
About the Role
As Associate Clinical Lead, you will:

• Provide expert guidance on mental health legislation including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Act as a key liaison between hospital teams and mental health services.
• Lead and manage RMNs (Bank and Agency), ensuring high-quality, consistent care.
• Support staff in assessing mental capacity and making DoLS referrals.
• Reduce delays for patients awaiting mental health beds and escalate issues appropriately.
• Be a visible clinical leader, supporting staff and advocating for patients.

About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."

If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For

• Registered RMN with post-qualification study.
• Extensive experience in acute mental health care and autonomous practice.
• Strong knowledge of legal frameworks and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to professional development and inclusive care.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a Trust that values kindness, openness, and development.
• Work in a supportive, inclusive environment with award-winning staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Access to a wide range of development programmes and flexible working options.
• Contribute to innovative projects through CW Innovation and research leadership.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered RMN or RN(Mental Health)
• Evidence of post-qualification study and educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of recent continuing education and professional development

Desirable

• Formal/assessed qualifications in conflict resolution or Preventing and managing aggression
• Oliver McGowan training trainer

Experience
Essential

• Extensive post registration experience in acute mental health care
• Experience at band 6 or equivalent or working as an independent autonomous practitioner
• Proven professional competence
• Proven ability to evaluate training and/or education packages and amend contents as required
• Previous experience in a general health care environment
• Previous experience of managing psychiatric patients in a non-psychiatric setting

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Working knowledge of legal frameworks and responsibilities re: Mental Health Act (1983; am2007), capacity and consent to treatment, CPA process
• Knowledge of the NSF for Older People
• Experience of relevant operational and strategic work in the NHS
• Experience in acute assessment / planning skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of the National Service Framework for Mental Health
• Knowledge of Essence of Care benchmarking standards for mental health

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address
Cross site
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital/West Midd Hospital
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Clinical Lead Mental Health
Lucy Presley
lucy.presley1@nhs.net
07553033239