Job Title: Lead Nurse (RMN/RNLD)
Location: South West London
Salary: £50,375 – £56,329 per annum (dependent on experience) + £5,000 welcome bonus (pro rata based on hours)
Working Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Overview:

Our client is seeking an experienced and clinically confident Lead Nurse (RMN) to join their team at a respected mental health hospital in South West London. This is a leadership role focused on supporting high standards of nursing practice, developing others, and enhancing the quality of care delivered across inpatient services.

You’ll play a key role in supporting the nursing team, delivering patient-centred care, and shaping the clinical culture on the ward. The Lead Nurse acts as a specialist resource, a mentor, and a visible role model for excellence in nursing.

About the Service:

The hospital provides a range of inpatient mental health services, including:

• Acute Mental Health (Adults)
• Specialist services for OCD
• Addictions
• Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS)
• Neurocognitive conditions

This role offers a chance to work alongside a large, supportive MDT while influencing service quality and nursing development across a range of specialisms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert clinical leadership and specialist knowledge to the nursing team and wider MDT
• Maintain oversight of the clinical and care needs of all patients
• Support primary nurses in managing patient care and liaising with families and community teams
• Promote proactive risk assessment and the least restrictive practices within a recovery-focused model
• Review and challenge nursing practice constructively, leading by example
• Deliver clinical supervision, reflective practice and competency assessments
• Lead on nurse induction, preceptorship and development initiatives
• Support the meaningful application of the Care Certificate for HCAs
• Contribute to quality improvement, audits and service development
• Ensure safe and effective medication management and adherence to policies and national guidance
• Champion a positive ward culture and take the lead on nursing initiatives

Requirements:

• RMN with current NMC registration
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Prior experience in a clinical leadership or supervisory role
• Practice Assessor/Supervisor training
• Continued professional development in a relevant specialism (e.g. DBT, CBT, NMP)
• Strong communication and team-working skills
• Comfortable supporting service development and leading across multidisciplinary boundaries

Benefits:

• £5,000 welcome bonus (pro rata based on hours)
• Competitive salary with enhancements for nights, weekends and overtime
• 25 days’ annual leave + bank holidays (rising after 5 years of service)
• Free on-site parking and subsidised meals
• Fully funded NMC registration
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Career development and leadership pathways
• Individual CPD funding through professional development panel
• Access to private healthcare, cycle to work scheme and retail discounts
• Long service awards and refer-a-friend bonuses

Additional Information:

The role involves working standard nursing shifts, including out-of-hours leadership cover as part of the hospital rota. As part of infection control requirements, vaccination status will be requested during pre-employment checks but will not impact employment offers and will be managed in accordance with GDPR.