Trainee Mental Health Nurse

TRAINEE MENTAL HEALTH NURSES

Please read the attached guidance before applying

Are you interested in a career as a Registered Mental Health Nurse but unable to give up paid employment to take up full time study? Do you have the right values of care, compassion, dignity, respect, openness, honesty, responsibility, and teamwork for working with people with Mental Illness in the NHS?

NHS Lothian, in partnership with the Open University, are seeking to recruit 20 trainee Mental Health Nurses to undertake the BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing through the Open University. This is a unique opportunity to be supported by both organisations to study to become a Registered Mental Health Nurse whilst employed on a permanent contract with NHS Lothian. Posts will be available across the range of Mental Health Services provided by NHS Lothian including Adult Acute Mental Health, Older Peoples Acute Mental Health, Dementia care, Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation, Eating Disorder Service, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Mother and Baby Mental Health Service.

Entry requirements:

• Core skills in numeracy at SCQF level 5 or Standard Grade Mathematics or Arithmetic (passed at credit level) or National 5 in Mathematics or Arithmetic or the equivalent.
• Core skills in communication at SCQF level 5 or Standard Grade English (passed at credit level) or National 5 in English or the equivalent.
• A requirement to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme prior to appointment.
• Be of good health and good character evidenced by a reference.

What is involved?

This is a 4-year programme. Upon successful completion and registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council, you will be guaranteed employment as a Registered Mental Health nurse in NHS Lothian Mental Health Services. You will be recruited initially to a Band 2 Healthcare Support Worker role (commencing 5th September 2022). During the first 16 months of employment, you will be required to complete 2 modules with the Open University whilst also working in paid employment to gain the required practice hours to enable you to enter Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Degree in Mental Health Nursing through the Open University. At this point you will transition into a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker for the remainder of your program of study and will be required to undertake clinical placements in 2 clinical areas out with your base ward / team to enable you to achieve practice-based competencies.

Employment contracts:

Full time 37.5hrs per week although part time contracts of 30hrs per week may be considered on request. Contracts are permanent. Band 2 salary is currently £19,609 - £21,615 and Band 3 salary is currently £21,709 - £23,603 (pro rata).

Working patterns:

Shift work on a rota basis, including unsocial hours, weekend working and nightshift working (financial enhancements will be paid for weekend and night shift working).

Work location:

Due to the nature of the program of study and clinical placements, you must be willing and able to work / have clinical placements on both the Royal Edinburgh Hospital site, Morningside, Edinburgh and at Specialist Regional Mental Health Units based at St John’s Hospital, Livingston. Interviews will take place during the week of 4th July 2022

Full Job Descriptions & Person Specifications can be found as attachments to this advert. You can also find information on the application process attached.

Caring for Scotland’s Capital

 genericrecruitment@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

For additional information contact Craig Stenhouse - craig.stenhouse@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk