Senior Mental Health Nurse – Enhanced Therapeutic Observations and Care
Closing date: 06 July 2026
We are seeking 3 Band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurses to deliver specialist mental health nursing support to patients identified as requiring enhanced therapeutic observation and care following triage and assessment by the ETOC Team Leader.
- Learning disability, autism or other neurodiversity
- Dementia
- Intoxication
Main duties of the job
The Senior ETOC Nurse will support expert assessment and review of patients triaged by the ETOC Team Leader, work a 24/7 shift pattern and deputise for the ETOC Team Leader on occasion, completing triage assessments for all ETOC referrals across the Denmark Hill Site.
Using experience, the Senior ETOC Nurse will proactively identify and assess causes of behavioural escalation, develop and deliver care plans, and support junior colleagues in providing ETOC to patients across the site.
They will provide direct care to complex patients, support activities of daily living, formulate and deliver therapeutic engagement, and contribute to core nursing care and support with patient physical health within their scope of competence.
Occasionally, the Senior ETOC Nurse will assist in restricting the movement of patients under the Mental Capacity Act (2005), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2005) and Mental Health Act (1983).
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across five sites. Our vision is to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person‑centred, digitally‑enabled and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and require individuals ready to join a highly professional team and make a lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus.
Clinical responsibilities
- Providing hands‑on care to patients including 1‑1 enhanced therapeutic observations, care and engagement, acting as a role model to junior ETOC staff.
- Recognising and valuing patients as individuals, maintaining respect and dignity and ensuring care respects equality and diversity.
- Ensuring timely escalation of any concerns to the MDT, area nurse in charge and ETOC Team Leader.
- Monitoring and recording patient observations and escalating signs of deterioration to the ward or department nursing team.
- Providing person‑centred, holistic, relational care, supporting a detailed, rolling mental state examination and delivering psychotherapeutic interventions where indicated.
- De‑putising for the ETOC Team Leader and providing a responsive triaging service to wards and departments at Denmark Hill, including risk formulation and decision‑making on the level and duration of ETOC.
- De‑putising as shift co‑ordinator when required, allocating resources across the site, supporting the team and ensuring effective handovers.
- Implementing recovery principles by encouraging patients to engage with healthy lifestyles and psychosocial activities.
- Advocating for patient needs and rights.
- Assisting patients with activities of daily living and encouraging independence where appropriate.
- Assisting with patient nutritional needs, meal selection, delivery and special diets according to individual needs.
- Engaging patients who may present with challenging behaviour and using enhanced verbal de‑escalation skills to support safe management.
- Leading on, providing and contributing to a rolling risk assessment of patients, using tools such as DASA, DASA‑YV or BVC to proactively address causes of distress.
- Escorting patients off the ward where appropriate.
- Ensuring relevant electronic notes and incident reports are completed in a timely manner and to a high standard.
- Participating in multidisciplinary team handovers, providing holistic nursing observations including behavioural triggers and de‑escalation techniques.
- Assisting in the maintenance and safekeeping of patient property in line with Trust policy.
- Ensuring patients and relatives are welcomed, oriented to the environment and supported to contact their wider support network.
- Being a reflective practitioner, engaging in de‑briefs, supervision and staff support sessions, and mindful of own mental wellbeing, boundaries and self‑care.
- Actively supporting the management of any mental health or behaviour emergencies involving patients under the care of the ETOC team.
Knowledge and Frameworks
- Knowledge of mental health disorders, assessment, risks, management and treatment, and an understanding of mind and body care.
- Understanding of behaviours that challenge and the causes including trauma, dementia, delirium, learning disability and autism; and other forms of cognitive impairment.
- Clear understanding of behavioural management approaches and techniques, including the role of psychopharmacology.
- Working knowledge of MHA, MCA, DOLS and other legislation, and how they are implemented in practice.
Communication
- Contributing to effective communication processes, providing accurate information to patients, carers, families and colleagues.
- Engaging listening carefully and actively, responding with appropriate language and accessible communication methods.
- Developing communication skills for difficult conversations, acknowledging cultural differences and professional boundaries.
- Maintaining timely and accurate written and electronic patient records in line with Trust policy.
- Reporting safety or security concerns promptly to maintain safety for patients, carers, staff and others.
- Reporting safeguarding concerns in line with Trust policy and professional responsibilities.
- Responding respectfully to concerns or complaints raised by patients, families and carers, escalating appropriately in accordance with Trust policies.
- Maintaining confidentiality of information in accordance with Trust Policies.
Team working and Professional development
- Protecting patients, self and others by maintaining a clean and healthy environment, supporting audit and compliance activities.
- Demonstrating support, respect and courtesy, working professionally and with Trust values in mind, respecting boundaries with patients, carers and staff.
- Attending and participating in team meetings as required.
- Providing supervision to junior colleagues on a shift and formal basis as a named supervisor.
- Supporting teaching commitments held by the team as required.
- Engaging in reflective practice to ensure evidence‑based patient care, attending staff training and reflective practice groups.
- Demonstrating own role to others and acting as a role model in accordance with Trust values.
- Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the band and nature of the post.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
- 1st level Registered Mental Health Nurse
- Further professional studies relevant to Mental Health or equivalent experience
- Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification
- Registered General Adult, Paediatric or Learning Disability Nurse
- Further education or qualification related to the management of violence and aggression
- Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
- Demonstrable clinical expertise relevant to the area
- Significant past experience working with people presenting with behaviours that challenge
- Experience of either DSN roles or roles within MH emergency teams
Skills, competencies and personal qualities
- Excellent verbal de‑escalation skills
- Excellent risk assessment and management skills, including management of suicidal patients or those at risk of self‑harm
- Communication skills – able to communicate with patients and staff at all levels, adapting style as necessary
- Team‑building and working skills – able to lead a team to achieve results
- Experience with service user involvement and co‑production
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£47,951 to £56,863 a yearPer Annum Including High Cost Area
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