Mental Health Nurse Job Description

What is the job description of a Mental Health Nurse? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Mental Health Nurse? What does a Mental Health Nurse do?

Job description of a Mental Health Nurse

Mental health nurses are responsible for planning and providing support and medical and nursing care to people in hospital, at home or in other settings who are suffering from mental ill health. Mental health nurses work as part of a team of professional and medical staff that includes doctors, social workers, therapists and psychiatrists.

This Mental Health Nurse job description example includes the list of most important Mental Health Nurse duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Mental Health Nurse profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Mental Health Nurse Duties and Responsibilities

Mental Health Nurse job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Writing and updating patient records.
  • Giving advice and arranging support for patients, relatives and carers
  • Agreeing/reviewing care plans and monitoring progress
  • Visiting patients at home
  • Assessing treatment success at case conferences/ meetings
  • Liaising with doctors, social workers and other professionals
  • Assessing and planning nursing care requirements
  • Organising workloads
  • Building relationships with, reassuring, listening and talking to patients
  • Administering medication

Mental Health Nurse Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Mental Health Nurse job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A degree in Nursing
  • Excellent observational skills to assess patients and look out for signs of tension or anxiety
  • Strength, stamina and physical fitness particularly if working in a hospital or secure residential unit
  • Excellent communication skills for dealing with patients and their families
  • The ability to stay calm and think quickly in challenging circumstances
  • Emotional resilience and a non-judgemental approach
  • Skills in decision making and time and stress management
  • Empathy with patients and the situation they're in
  • The ability to help others overcome social stigma related to mental health.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Mental Health Nurse starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Mental Health Nurse job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Mental Health Nurse may also reference it in preparation for the interview.