Lead Nurse (RMN/RNLD)
Job Title: Lead Nurse
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.