Job overview

As a Staff Nurse on Blossom you will be an integral part of our multi-disciplinary team. This is a challenging but incredibly rewarding role, providing the opportunity to work on a busy and dynamic ward and to gain a variety of skills and experiences. 

Blossom ward is a specialist 12-bedded female Medium Secure and Forensic ward. We have to consider a complex picture for our service users, who are often victims of significant trauma and abuse, but also perpetrators of violence. 

The Hellingly Centre is a Secure Hospital, comprising of three Medium Secure Wards and one Low Secure Ward. Situated in rural East Sussex, close to Hailsham, Eastbourne and Lewes, we enjoy the benefits of both beautiful countryside and the convenience and amusements larger town links provide.

Previous applicants need not apply. 

Main duties of the job

As a Staff Nurse on Blossom Ward your main responsibilities are to:

• Uphold the core values of the ward promoting openness, transparency and learning
• Supervise and be an enthusiastic mentor of new and junior staff
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Manage shifts as a nurse in charge
• Work a mixture of shifts including Long Days (07:00 – 19:30) and Nights (19:00 – 07:30)
• Conduct thorough assessments of risks and risk management plans to support incidents on the ward

You will be working with service users who have committed criminal offences, but have often also been victims themselves. Service users regularly experience stigma for both mental health and offending history, so our role is to develop trusting and safe relationships which balance being collaborative and supportive with sound risk management skills.

No two days are the same; while we have structure and set boundaries, there is always a need to be able to adapt to what is a dynamic ward environment.

Working for our organisation

Working in the Forensic Healthcare Services:

Forensic mental health is a unique and fascinating field which provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance.

Being curious, creative, self-aware and assertive are important skills that you will build on, as you are often required to think ‘outside the box’.

We play a crucial part in supporting and advocating service users towards recovery, while maintaining the legal requirements within the MHA and of public protection.

Our Trust:

We provide mental health and learning disability care for all ages across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

We’d love you to join our organisation, rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, with 82% recognising patient care as our top priority in our staff survey.

Other key survey results include:

• 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
• 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles