Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

MHCAS Nurse Practitioner

The closing date is 27 January 2026

Job summary

The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service at St. Charles Hospital provides a consultation and assessment service for all patients over the age of 18 years who present in a mental health crisis. This service functions as a dedicated 24/7 alternative to A&E for individuals requiring urgent mental health support.

The role involves biopsychosocial assessment, management and review of all adult patients over the age of 18 years (including over 65s) as part of your day-to-day clinical activity. As a member of a large multidisciplinary team, the types of referral that you would expect to receive would include; Deliberate self-harm, Disorders of mood - depression, anxiety, mania, Psychotic illness, and Associated substance misuse issues and withdrawals.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as a key member of the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service. The work will involve the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of mental health needs in a diverse patient population, including risk assessment and the development of risk management plans. You will be required to make clear autonomous decisions based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgements based on available treatment options, including those related to admission and discharge planning. Your interpersonal skills will be expected to be excellent and you must be able to confidently communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing. You must be able to demonstrate de-escalation skills with challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile situations.

The post-holder will be expected to work flexibly within the team. The working hours will be a combination of rotational shift working (long day shifts and nights shifts) to ensure a 24/7 service is provided

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff who provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. CNWL is recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

Details

Date posted

13 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-J-UC-0041-A

Job locations

St Charles Hospital

Exmoor Street

London

W10 6DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role involves biopsychosocial assessment, management and review of all adult patients over the age of 18 years (including over 65s) as part of your day-to-day clinical activity. As a member of a large multidisciplinary team, the types of referral that you would expect to receive would include; Deliberate self-harm, Disorders of mood - depression, anxiety, mania, Psychotic illness, and Associated substance misuse issues and withdrawals.

The post holder will work as a key member of the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service. The work will involve the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of mental health needs in a diverse patient population, including risk assessment and the development of risk management plans. You will be required to make clear autonomous decisions based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgements based on available treatment options, including those related to admission and discharge planning. Your interpersonal skills will be expected to be excellent and you must be able to confidently communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing. You must be able to demonstrate de-escalation skills with challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile situations.

Please see attached job description for details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role involves biopsychosocial assessment, management and review of all adult patients over the age of 18 years (including over 65s) as part of your day-to-day clinical activity. As a member of a large multidisciplinary team, the types of referral that you would expect to receive would include; Deliberate self-harm, Disorders of mood - depression, anxiety, mania, Psychotic illness, and Associated substance misuse issues and withdrawals.

The post holder will work as a key member of the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service. The work will involve the comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of mental health needs in a diverse patient population, including risk assessment and the development of risk management plans. You will be required to make clear autonomous decisions based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgements based on available treatment options, including those related to admission and discharge planning. Your interpersonal skills will be expected to be excellent and you must be able to confidently communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing. You must be able to demonstrate de-escalation skills with challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile situations.

Please see attached job description for details.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse or Registered Social Worker

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant psychiatric liaison or community crisis team experience
  • Evidence of ability to effectively lead an effective shift in a busy and acute environment
  • Experience in the management of psychiatric emergencies

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of recent legislation and guidelines affecting crisis services.

Desirable

  • An understanding of Clinical Governance
  • Ability to use IT systems

Attitudes, Aptitudes & Personal Characteristics

Essential

  • Experience of effective communication with other agencies at a variety of levels
  • Ability to manage resources effectively.
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse or Registered Social Worker

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant psychiatric liaison or community crisis team experience
  • Evidence of ability to effectively lead an effective shift in a busy and acute environment
  • Experience in the management of psychiatric emergencies

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of recent legislation and guidelines affecting crisis services.

Desirable

  • An understanding of Clinical Governance
  • Ability to use IT systems

Attitudes, Aptitudes & Personal Characteristics

Essential

  • Experience of effective communication with other agencies at a variety of levels
  • Ability to manage resources effectively.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Charles Hospital

Exmoor Street

London

W10 6DZ


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Charles Hospital

Exmoor Street

London

W10 6DZ


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Thorarinn Freysson

thorarinn.freysson1@nhs.net

07856281310

Details

Date posted

13 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-J-UC-0041-A

Job locations

St Charles Hospital

Exmoor Street

London

W10 6DZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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