Job summary
Are you a Mental Health Nurse (RMN) looking for a fresh challenge within Forensic Mental Health?

Ash Ward is a low secure inpatient service offering a safe, structured and therapeutic environment for individuals requiring specialist forensic mental health care. We focus on meaningful risk assessment, risk reduction, rehabilitation and supporting patients as they work towards returning to the community.

In this role, you'll deliver high-quality forensic mental health nursing care to individuals with mental disorders who have displayed offending behaviours or who present a significant risk to others. Your expertise will play a key part in helping patients progress through their recovery journey.

As a valued member of our multidisciplinary team, you'll provide comprehensive assessment and treatment to men of working age, working collaboratively to deliver a recovery focused model of care. Teamwork, communication and a genuine commitment to patient wellbeing are essential.

We're passionate about supporting your development, offering access to a wide range of internal and external training opportunities to help you grow both personally and professionally.

You'll work rotational shifts, including evenings and weekends, and may occasionally support other areas of the Trust to meet service needs.

You'll be joining a friendly, supportive and dedicated team who will ensure your transition into the ward is both positive and rewarding.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake specialised psychological assessments for service users with complex mental health needs.
• Contribute to psychological formulations and care planning.
• Deliver structured, evidence-based and psychologically informed interventions.
• Work within a psychology and trauma-informed framework to support recovery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues, service users and carers.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
• Participate in audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement activities.
• Receive and make effective use of regular clinical supervision.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities
The Clinical Associate Psychologist will work within Mental Health Rehabilitation Services to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people accessing the service.

The post holder will undertake specialised psychological assessments, contribute to bespoke clinical formulations, deliver structured evidence-based interventions and undertake agreed research activity, appropriate to their level of training, competence and experience.

Working within a psychology and trauma-informed service model, the post holder will function as a semi-autonomous practitioner, working independently on a day-to-day basis while receiving regular supervision from a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist. Other suitably qualified healthcare professionals may also contribute to supervision where appropriate.

The successful candidate will work closely with service users, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality, person-centred psychological care and support ongoing service development within Mental Health Rehabilitation Services.

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Mental Health Nursing.
• Registered Mental Health Nurse with active NMC registration.

Experience
Essential

• Have a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Have experience in a relevant clinical setting.

Desirable

• Previous experience supervising junior colleagues or students.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Have a good knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice and national guidelines.

Desirable

• Have a good knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice and national guidelines.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

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

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).