Job summary
Are you a registered nurse/dual registered nurse with proven clinical assessment skills?
Are you passionate about supporting individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) and understand the importance of their physical health?
We are recruiting a Senior Community Nurse to join our specialist team covering Oxfordshire. Reporting to the Clinical Nurse Lead, you will provide clinical leadership to Health Care Assistants, Nursing Associates, and junior Registered Nurses, while supporting our Specialist Physical Health Liaison Nurse.
Our Physical Health in SMI Team is a small, dedicated group improving the physical health of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) - made up of Dual Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates and Health Care Assistants who have a direct impact on improving the physical health of those with SMI. We work alongside community mental health teams to deliver direct care, make referrals, and provide education and support.
Though geographically spread, we maintain strong team connections through daily support and regular training. We offer a collaborative environment with excellent development opportunities, including non-medical prescribing and advanced practice training.
This role focuses on coordinating care to bridge the gap between physical and mental health services, ensuring individuals with SMI receive holistic, patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
Working within the specialist Physical Health in SMI team, you will be:
- Jointly responsible for the day-to-day clinical management of the team as well as managing your own caseload of patients.
- Providing clinical supervision to members of the PH in SMI team. You will be both assessing the physical health of those with SMI (including cardiometabolic assessments) and documenting your findings within the patient record for those under your care.
- Expected to support the team when they identify abnormal results and provide/plan care as appropriate.
- Liaising with both the community multi-disciplinary team, in-patient mental health services as well as with external organisations such as primary care clinicians, smoking cessation services and locally commissioned providers of physical health support.
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
Person Specification
Clinical Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience in advanced physical health assessment and care planning
- Understanding of the physical health risks associated with SMI, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
- Knowledge of long-term condition management (e.g., COPD, hypertension, diabetes).
- Ability to recognise and manage physical health deterioration, both acute and chronic
Desirable
- Competence in smoking cessation, substance misuse support, or dietetics for individuals with SMI
- Experience in conducting NHS Health Checks
Mental Health Awareness
Essential
- Understanding of the impact of SMI on physical health and vice versa
- Awareness of how psychotropic medications affect physical health
Desirable
- Awareness of 3rd Sector Organisations and how they support those with SMI
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Empathy, patience, and a non-judgemental approach
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities in individuals with SMI
Additional Training & Experience
Essential
- Post-registration experience in a community nursing or mental health setting
- Experience in health promotion and lifestyle interventions (e.g., smoking cessation, weight management, exercise programmes)
Desirable
- Training in brief interventions such as Motivational Interviewing
Further Qualifications & Development
Essential
- Specialist training in long-term condition management (e.g., diabetes care, respiratory conditions).
- Post Registration Leadership course/experience
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards it
Person Specification
Clinical Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience in advanced physical health assessment and care planning
- Understanding of the physical health risks associated with SMI, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
- Knowledge of long-term condition management (e.g., COPD, hypertension, diabetes).
- Ability to recognise and manage physical health deterioration, both acute and chronic
Desirable
- Competence in smoking cessation, substance misuse support, or dietetics for individuals with SMI
- Experience in conducting NHS Health Checks
Mental Health Awareness
Essential
- Understanding of the impact of SMI on physical health and vice versa
- Awareness of how psychotropic medications affect physical health
Desirable
- Awareness of 3rd Sector Organisations and how they support those with SMI
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Empathy, patience, and a non-judgemental approach
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities in individuals with SMI
Additional Training & Experience
Essential
- Post-registration experience in a community nursing or mental health setting
- Experience in health promotion and lifestyle interventions (e.g., smoking cessation, weight management, exercise programmes)
Desirable
- Training in brief interventions such as Motivational Interviewing
Further Qualifications & Development
Essential
- Specialist training in long-term condition management (e.g., diabetes care, respiratory conditions).
- Post Registration Leadership course/experience
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards it
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).
