Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Mental Health Nurse

The closing date is 12 February 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Mental Health Nurse to join the Dorset Pain Management Service. The successful candidate will ideally have experience of working with patients with long term conditions but if not please do get in touch anyway and have a chat as full training and support will be provided.

The post is to cover East Dorset and the team base will be Poole Community Clinic with hybrid working and face to face clinics in locations across the patch.

We are looking for ideally full time hours but part time will also be considered.

The Dorset Pain Management Service is a vibrant service, consisting of an inter-professional team. We employ modernised clinical practice to help people coping with chronic, non-malignant pain lead meaningful lives.

Our pan-Dorset service offers individual interventions and group programmes in various locations county wide; these are delivered by two teams across the county. The staff mix includes pain consultants, psychologists, specialist physiotherapists, pain and mental health nurses and occupational therapists, therapy assistants, trainees from various departments and our hardworking admin support team.

The strongest element of our service is our fantastic service user movement - our peer ambassadors support us by helping design and deliver programmes, teaching and supporting others through the Pain Chain and through our website, www.dorsetpain.org.uk

Main duties of the job

Working as part of the Multi -disciplinary team the post holder will provide high quality person centred care to patients living with persistent pain. Management of own caseload providing individual and group programme sessions. Providing specialist advised regarding the care of patients for other professionals. Liaising with and supporting shared care with mental health services.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£30,945 to £37,264 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C342.25

Job locations

Dorset Pain Management Service Poole Community Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
  • Membership of the relevant Professional Body

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Practitioner Band 5 level
  • Experience of specialist working
  • Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism

Desirable

  • Recent previous experience within a comparable role

Managerial/Supervisory Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing clinical supervision and mentoring to junior staff

Information Technology

Essential

  • Able to analyse data and produce reports using Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills.
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy
Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
  • Membership of the relevant Professional Body

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Practitioner Band 5 level
  • Experience of specialist working
  • Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism

Desirable

  • Recent previous experience within a comparable role

Managerial/Supervisory Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing clinical supervision and mentoring to junior staff

Information Technology

Essential

  • Able to analyse data and produce reports using Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills.
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy

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.

UK Registration

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

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset Pain Management Service Poole Community Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset Pain Management Service Poole Community Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

East Team Lead

Alison WIckham

alison.wickham@nhs.net

012023038069

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£30,945 to £37,264 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C342.25

Job locations

Dorset Pain Management Service Poole Community Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT


Supporting documents

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