Specialist Mental Health Nurse / Practitioner

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Mental Health Nurse to join the Dorset Pain Management Service. This is a unique opportunity for a Band 6 Mental Health Nurse seeking a new challenge and wishing to develop specialist skills at the interface of mental and physical health. Previous experience of working with long-term conditions or persistent pain is desirable but not essential, as full training, support and supervision will be provided. We welcome informal conversations about the role.

The post is 30 hours per week and based at Poole Community Clinic with an additional base at Shelley Road, Boscombe, covering the East side of Dorset through a blend of face-to-face and online clinics.

Working as part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team while managing your own caseload, you will use core mental health nursing skills alongside pain management approaches to support individuals living with persistent pain and additional mental health challenges. You will work therapeutically with people experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, distress, trauma, and adjustment, helping them to build understanding, confidence and meaningful self-management strategies. The post holder will also work collaboratively with wider community mental health services, developing links to support individuals in meeting their combined physical and mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

The Dorset Pain Management Service is a vibrant, innovative, and inter-professional service, helping people living with chronic, non-malignant pain lead meaningful and valued lives. Our pan-Dorset service provides individual interventions and group programmes across the county through two locality teams.

Our staff mix includes pain consultants, psychologists, specialist physiotherapists, pain and mental health nurses, occupational therapists, therapy assistants, trainees, and a highly valued admin team. Alongside clinical work, there are opportunities to contribute to education, service development and training initiatives across primary and secondary care. We also share our work and model nationally and internationally.

A particular strength of our service is our fantastic service user movement. Our peer ambassadors help shape and deliver programmes, teaching and supporting others through the Pain Chain and our website.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

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.