Job overview

We have vacancies at our Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital based in Staplehurst, Kent for B6 nurses to join our team.

We are a general adolescent hospital, supporting young people admitted informally or under section of the mental health act who present with acute mental health difficulties including eating disorders. We also operate a Health Based Place of Safety, which supports young people who have been detained under section by the police.

The focus of the role is on risk assessment, management and treatment in a general adolescent hospital setting and involves interfacing with other agencies and contributing to the therapeutic timetable. This is a collaborative piece of work as, within the hospital we have a wide range of staff groups including nurses, support staff, education, family therapists, music therapists, OT's, psychologists, psychotherapists, medics, social worker, admin, and management. 

This role will be completed within the capacity as DSN (designated senior nurse) whereby you would be expected to lead the nursing and support staff team each shift; which includes allocation, key input into clinical decision making, medication management, act as initial point of contact for escalation on shift, complete hand over and support all staff through the daily activities on the unit.

Applicants must have a nursing professional registration.

Main duties of the job

The team operate 24/7 and shifts that will be worked include: Earlies, Lates, Long days and nights.

The role involves supporting young people who have been admitted to engage in treatment around managing their mental health and risk. The average length of stay for young people is around 6-8 weeks during which time the young person and their family are offered treatment to support safe discharge back to the community. Young people admitted to the unit may engage in behaviours often associated with mental distress such as self-harm, agitation, suicidal thoughts and intrusive thoughts.

The post would suit someone who has an interest and/or experience in supporting young people with mental health needs. The right candidate will be able to work well under pressure, be seen as a leader amongst the team and in the face of emotional situations and be confident in making decisions in the best interests of children, young people and their families.  There is also opportunities for professional development in the form of a Deputy Ward Manager role for the right candidate, after they have finished their probationary period.

Working for our organisation

 Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities.
These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT  NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period.