Adult and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses

Adult and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses (PSN26)

Applications are now invited for the following positions: Adult and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses (Permanent full time General Adult and Adolescent contracts available). Please indicate your interest in either General Adult, Adolescent or both on your application.

SPMHS is the largest independent, not for profit mental health service provider in Ireland and offers excellent opportunities for psychiatric nursing careers.

Job Title

Staff Nurse

Reporting To

Director of Nursing or designate

Place of Work

St Patrick's University Hospital or Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, James's Street, Dublin 8. The role also involves work in St Patrick's Hospital, Lucan, the Dean Clinics and other services operated by St Patrick's University Hospital.

Main Purpose

To work as part of a multi disciplinary team within the ward, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care in collaboration with other health professionals to deliver a high quality, safe service that supports the hospital's mission.

Hours of Work

The standard working week is 75 hours fortnightly, on a rotating shift basis over a 5 or 7 day week.

Key Responsibilities

• Organisational Management - take charge of the ward in the absence of senior nursing staff; lead governance and infection control actions; support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Facility Management & Health & Safety - maintain a safe environment, support risk management activities and report incidents.
• Staff Development - identify educational needs of students and staff, support professional development and supervise less experienced staff.
• Information Management - maintain patient confidentiality, record data accurately and comply with legislative and hospital policies.
• Patient Centred Care - provide evidence based care, involve patients and families in decision making, promote patient rights and facilitate advocacy.
• Assessment & Care Planning - conduct initial and ongoing assessments, complete nursing documentation and ensure plans reflect the patient's physical, psychological, social and cultural needs.
• Patient & Family Education - assess educational needs, facilitate informed consent, support discharge preparation and educate families.

Adolescent Specific Duties

• Act as Named Key Nurse for a defined cohort of young people.
• Collaborate in comprehensive assessment and development of recovery oriented care plans.
• Plan, facilitate and evaluate individual, group and family therapeutic interventions.
• Document clinical information accurately and lead the ward when the clinical nurse manager is absent.
• Adhere to all relevant legislation and professional conduct codes, and support staff and student competence.

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience

• Current registration with the psychiatric division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), or eligibility for such registration.
• Proven ability to establish solid working relationships within an organisation and with service users.
• Excellent clinical knowledge of adult and adolescent psychiatric nursing.
• Post registration experience desirable.
• Adolescent applicants only: experience in adolescent mental health nursing is desirable.

Skills, Competencies and Knowledge

• Knowledge of external agencies and their roles; experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Experience working in cross functional multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of mental health legislation, regulatory guidelines and the hospital strategy.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Self motivation, initiative, leadership qualities and awareness of own limitations.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

• Tenure: Permanent contract, pensionable.
• Working Week: 75 hour fortnight over a rotating shift base.
• Salary: Based on experience and the SPMHS 2026 Enhanced Staff Nurse salary scale.
• Annual Leave: Standard leave associated with the Staff Nurse grade.
• Pension: Defined contribution scheme with 4% salary deduction; internal appointments retain existing pension arrangements.
• Probation: Six month probationary period with ongoing performance review.
• Health: Full competence and health to undertake duties.
• Character: Good character required.
• Retirement Age: Normal retirement age 66 years.

Equal Opportunities Statement

St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer.