Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Nurse Associate

The closing date is 02 February 2026

Job summary

The Nurse Associate role is not the same as a Healthcare Assistant or Support Worker role and applications that are tailored towards a HCA role will be automatically rejected.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Specialist Community Forensic Team for a highly motivated and flexible Nurse Associate to join our team.

The team offers intensive community forensic mental health support for service users with a forensic history with complex mental health needs from the Essex area who have been cared for within medium and low secure mental health units, primarily in Essex. We are a multi-disciplinary community team with our base at 2 Heath Close, Billericay. We work with service users across Essex to support them towards discharge from inpatient secure services where we continue to support their recovery once they are living in the community. Our ethos is to encourage meaningful engagement with service users, improve access to support and promote social inclusion.

The successful candidates will have experience of working directly with individuals with a forensic history, both in the community and as inpatients. They will be committed to offering flexible and person centred services in order to meet the risks and needs of our service users. They will have confidence in managing complex and sometimes challenging situations that may arise within the course of our work, and will be excellent communicators.

Main duties of the job

The post holder has the responsibility of providing and enhancing services for individuals in secure settings pre, during and post discharge to support timely transitions to community settings.

The role will be embedded within a Multi-disciplinary team with a specific focus of expediting the safe, smooth discharge of service users specifically within Brockfield House and other secure services to a range of appropriate community placements. The post holder would be required to attend regular inpatient reviews to monitor the progress of service users and to ensure that any potential delay to discharge is addressed at the earliest opportunity. The team will support clients across Essex.

The post holder is also expected to contribute and support the day to day operational management of the SCFT.

The post holder will support people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing.

The post holder will be expected to administer depot medication following completion of formal training and medication competency test as per policy

The post holder will be expected to undertake therapeutic observation as per policy and undertake required physical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, ECG's, urinalysis, weight and height in accordance with NEWS2 monitoring and report exceptions appropriately. The will also be expected to undertake clinical tasks including vital sign observations, venepuncture and ECGs

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9725

Job locations

Specialist Community Forensic Team

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse Associate compliant with the requirements for NMC registration
  • Foundation Degree Nursing Associate
  • GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or equivalent
  • To administer medication relevant to the role following completion of formal training and medication competency test as per policy
  • Care certificate

Desirable

  • QCF in Care/Health and Social Care Level 2/3 or equivalent experience o

Knowledge

Essential

  • The post holder should have a working knowledge and understanding of evidence based interventions and their application on practice.
  • The post holder should understand the scope of the role of Nursing Associate in the context of the team and the organisation and how the role may contribute to service development.
  • The post holder should know when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
  • The post holder should understand the need for continued professional development in accordance with the requirements of NMC registration
  • Evidence of supporting daily living and community networking

Desirable

  • Ability to balance competing priorities and multi-task.

Skills/Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Basic level of dealing with service users with complex health needs
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Have experience of delivering person centred care under the supervision of a RN
  • Reasonable confidence and competence in using IT systems (e.g. Outlook, Word, clinical or other record systems) relevant to the role.
  • Have experience of working in collaboration with members of a multidisciplinary team in delivering care and have the ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision and as part of the MDT
  • Evidence time management skills and ability to prioritise own workload
  • Ability to set clear objectives/targets and prioritise workload and competing demands.
  • Have the ability to work on their own initiative under appropriate supervision and engage in reflective practice
  • Able to recognise own limitations in the context of the nursing associate role
  • Ability to participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Ability to communicate with members of the public and heath and care providers - in a courteous respectful and helpful way. Be an effective role model.
  • Ability to build relationships and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of culture, social and health beliefs and opportunities on service users.

Desirable

  • Decision making, delegation and problem solving skills

Knowledge and understanding

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of care planning
  • Knowledge of physical healthcare needs
  • The post holder should have working knowledge and commitment to evidence based interventions and have an understanding of their application on practice
  • The post holder should understand the scope of the role of Nursing Associate in the context of the team and the organisation and how the role may contribute to service development.
  • Awareness of safeguarding issues and responsibilities under relevant legislation Basic understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
  • Knowledge of NICE guidance
  • Basic understanding of needs and service users
  • The post holder should understand the need for continued professional development in accordance with the requirements of NMC registration.
  • The post holder should know when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care including: oDeprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act oChildren's Act oEquality Act 2010 oHealth and Safety Act oData Protection Act oUnderstanding of the Care Programme Approach (CPA)

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour
  • Ensures that the organisational values are demonstrated by self and others every day and that any matters of concern are addressed in a timely way, either directly; or raised with the relevant Line Manager; or through the relevant processes within the Trust as appropriate
  • Ability to work in an open manner as part of a team with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in own and other organisations, whilst at the same time recognising your own clinical responsibility and limitations
  • Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm and resilience.
  • Commitment to enhance own and staff development
  • Genuine commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.
  • Uphold EPUT Customer Care Standards
  • Reliable and excellent timekeeper
  • Approachable and friendly
  • Insight into how to evaluate their own strengths and development need
  • Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and the unpredictable nature of workload and individual service user contact
  • Ability to work on their own initiative
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Qualities

Essential

  • Fitness Analysis as appropriate
  • Current full UK driving licence and access to vehicle
  • Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
  • Uphold EPUT Policies and Procedures
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse Associate compliant with the requirements for NMC registration
  • Foundation Degree Nursing Associate
  • GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or equivalent
  • To administer medication relevant to the role following completion of formal training and medication competency test as per policy
  • Care certificate

Desirable

  • QCF in Care/Health and Social Care Level 2/3 or equivalent experience o

Knowledge

Essential

  • The post holder should have a working knowledge and understanding of evidence based interventions and their application on practice.
  • The post holder should understand the scope of the role of Nursing Associate in the context of the team and the organisation and how the role may contribute to service development.
  • The post holder should know when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
  • The post holder should understand the need for continued professional development in accordance with the requirements of NMC registration
  • Evidence of supporting daily living and community networking

Desirable

  • Ability to balance competing priorities and multi-task.

Skills/Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Basic level of dealing with service users with complex health needs
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Have experience of delivering person centred care under the supervision of a RN
  • Reasonable confidence and competence in using IT systems (e.g. Outlook, Word, clinical or other record systems) relevant to the role.
  • Have experience of working in collaboration with members of a multidisciplinary team in delivering care and have the ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision and as part of the MDT
  • Evidence time management skills and ability to prioritise own workload
  • Ability to set clear objectives/targets and prioritise workload and competing demands.
  • Have the ability to work on their own initiative under appropriate supervision and engage in reflective practice
  • Able to recognise own limitations in the context of the nursing associate role
  • Ability to participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Ability to communicate with members of the public and heath and care providers - in a courteous respectful and helpful way. Be an effective role model.
  • Ability to build relationships and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of culture, social and health beliefs and opportunities on service users.

Desirable

  • Decision making, delegation and problem solving skills

Knowledge and understanding

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of care planning
  • Knowledge of physical healthcare needs
  • The post holder should have working knowledge and commitment to evidence based interventions and have an understanding of their application on practice
  • The post holder should understand the scope of the role of Nursing Associate in the context of the team and the organisation and how the role may contribute to service development.
  • Awareness of safeguarding issues and responsibilities under relevant legislation Basic understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
  • Knowledge of NICE guidance
  • Basic understanding of needs and service users
  • The post holder should understand the need for continued professional development in accordance with the requirements of NMC registration.
  • The post holder should know when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care including: oDeprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act oChildren's Act oEquality Act 2010 oHealth and Safety Act oData Protection Act oUnderstanding of the Care Programme Approach (CPA)

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour
  • Ensures that the organisational values are demonstrated by self and others every day and that any matters of concern are addressed in a timely way, either directly; or raised with the relevant Line Manager; or through the relevant processes within the Trust as appropriate
  • Ability to work in an open manner as part of a team with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in own and other organisations, whilst at the same time recognising your own clinical responsibility and limitations
  • Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm and resilience.
  • Commitment to enhance own and staff development
  • Genuine commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.
  • Uphold EPUT Customer Care Standards
  • Reliable and excellent timekeeper
  • Approachable and friendly
  • Insight into how to evaluate their own strengths and development need
  • Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and the unpredictable nature of workload and individual service user contact
  • Ability to work on their own initiative
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Qualities

Essential

  • Fitness Analysis as appropriate
  • Current full UK driving licence and access to vehicle
  • Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
  • Uphold EPUT Policies and Procedures

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

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Specialist Community Forensic Team

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Specialist Community Forensic Team

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Nurse

Jenny Watson

jenny.watson5@nhs.net

01277637241

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9725

Job locations

Specialist Community Forensic Team

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Supporting documents

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