At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide mental health support to prisoners, assess their needs, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.
- Company: Join a leading provider transforming health and care services across the UK since 2006.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, wellness support, and access to discounts and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable lives while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 38000 £ per year.
# Mental Health Nurse – HMP Chelmsford## Job IntroductionAs part of a multidisciplinary team, you\’ll play a crucial role in delivering high-quality mental health care, supporting rehabilitation, and promoting recovery for some of society\’s most vulnerable individuals.Location: HMP Chelmsford, EssexHours: Full-time | 08:00 ā 18:00 (Days) + scheduled 10:00 ā 20:00 shifts on rotationContract Type: Permanent, 40 hoursSalary: Ā£35,000 – Ā£38,000* To provide high quality planned and urgent mental health support to prisoners within a secure setting, this includes supporting RMNS with emergency alarms within the prison.* This energetic and diverse role is part of a multi professional workforce delivering care to patients both within the Enhanced Care Unit, Residential Wings and all other areas that prisoners have daily access to such as workshops.* As an RMN you will carry a caseload of patients and will be responsible for assessment and treatment of those patients.* This will involve being part of the case management team in ACCT reviews.* The role will involve integrated working alongside multi professionals within the whole prison setting not just healthcare* Provide support and to all staff on your shift ensuring day to day functions are maintained* Complete the induction training for new starters and be an appointed mentor the end of probation.* Providing supervision to clinical and non-clinical staff where appropriate.* Carry your own caseload* Assess patients, plan their care, administer treatment and discharge or refer them as appropriate to other healthcare professionals or external agencies.* Be a team member in all ACCT reviews and advise the prison with direct reference to the prisoners mental health* Assess prisonerās fitness for detention, release or transfer.* Assess alcohol and drug intoxication and withdrawal.### The Ideal Candidate**Person Specification*** Excellent communication and inter-personal skills* Ability to build and develop relationships* Must be confident and capable of autonomous practice and able to work independently* To act as a patients advocate in a non-judgemental manner**Essential Experience / Qualifications*** Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with active PIN* All candidates are subject to prison vetting checks* Ability to work effectively as part of a multi professional team within a fast-paced environment**Desirable Experience*** Experience in a Prison environment* Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team### Package DescriptionAs āMental Health Nurseā, youāll be part of our valued team:* Salary depending on experience Ā£35,000.00 to Ā£38,000.00 with group pension* 240 hours Annual Leave* Company Policy Sick pay* Enhanced Maternity Package* Life Assurance* Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on everyday purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you* Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover lifeās emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates* Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing ā from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling* Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our āOutstandingā learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise* An open, just culture where youāre encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care ā backed up by at least Ā£100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year### About the CompanyWe change lives by transforming health and care. Established in 2006 we are one of the UK\’s leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services. Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year – guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.We\’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team. Weāre a Disability Confident Committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.While it doesnāt happen often, sometimes a role is very popular, and weāll need to close it earlier than the date weāve shown here. If youāre keen to join our team, weād love to hear from you so please apply as soon as you can.As youād expect, safeguarding and protecting the children, young people and vulnerable adults that we work with is of the utmost importance so we have policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices and everyone who joins the team is subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.Finally, we need to let you know that the company youāll work for is part of HCRG Care Group Holdings Limited and by applying for this job weāll need to process and hold information about you. If you would like to know a little more about how we use your information, please see our website\’s privacy policy.### Mental Health Nurse – HMP Chelmsford* **Salary** Ā£35,000 – Ā£38,000* **Frequency** Annual* **Job Reference** HCRGCG/TP/13082/16749* **Contract Type** Permanent – Full Time* **Closing Date** 12 September, 2025* **Job Category** HCRG – Nursing and Midwifery Registered* **Business Unit** HCRG – Prisons* **Location** HMP Chelmsford , United Kingdom* **Posted on** 27 August, 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Mental Health Nurse - HMP Chelmsford employer: HCRG Care Group
Contact Detail:
HCRG Care Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Nurse - HMP Chelmsford
āØTip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and dynamics of working in a prison environment. Understanding the unique mental health needs of prisoners can set you apart during interviews.
āØTip Number 2
Network with current or former mental health professionals who have experience in prisons. They can provide valuable insights and may even refer you to opportunities within their networks.
āØTip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions that assess your ability to handle crisis situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed challenging scenarios.
āØTip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to continuous professional development. Highlight any relevant training or courses you've completed that relate to mental health care, especially in high-pressure environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Nurse - HMP Chelmsford
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN). Emphasise any previous work in a prison environment or with vulnerable populations, and showcase your ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the job description. Mention your passion for mental health care, your communication skills, and your ability to build relationships with patients. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the ideal candidate criteria.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you clearly state your qualifications, including your active PIN as an RMN. If you have additional training or certifications related to mental health or working in secure settings, be sure to include those as well.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight your excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully advocated for patients in a non-judgemental manner and how you've contributed to a positive team environment in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at HCRG Care Group
āØUnderstand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Mental Health Nurse in a prison setting. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and dynamics of working within HMP Chelmsford, as well as the importance of rehabilitation and recovery for prisoners.
āØShowcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with both patients and colleagues during the interview. Use examples from your past experiences to highlight these skills.
āØPrepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you would handle specific situations in a prison environment. Think about past experiences where you successfully managed challenging situations and be ready to discuss them.
āØHighlight Teamwork Experience
As this role involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team, be sure to emphasise your experience in collaborative settings. Discuss how you have contributed to team goals and supported colleagues in previous roles, particularly in high-pressure environments.