Clozapine Clinic Nurse
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and recovery-focused Band 6 Community Psychiatric Nurse to join the Wandsworth Clozapine Clinic. This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role within a well-established specialist service supporting people with severe and enduring mental illness who require clozapine treatment in the community.
Based at Springfield Hospital, Wandsworth, you will work autonomously alongside a Nursing Associate to coordinate and deliver borough-wide Clozapine clinics. The role does not involve holding a defined caseload; instead, you will provide clinical leadership and oversight, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of clozapine monitoring and depot medication administration. Clinics operate Monday to Thursday, with Fridays dedicated to administration, service development, audit, quality improvement and governance activities.
You will play a vital role in improving patient outcomes by providing continuity of care, specialist physical health monitoring and expert clinical oversight. Responsibilities include blood monitoring, physical health assessments, side-effect management, risk assessment and the timely escalation of concerns to medical colleagues and pharmacy services when required. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people with complex mental health needs while contributing to a high-quality, recovery-focused service.
Main duties of the job
As the lead nurse for the clinic, you will work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including the Borough Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Consultant Psychiatrists, pharmacists, Community Mental Health Teams, GPs and wider partner organisations. You will play a central role in coordinating care, managing clinic processes, ensuring compliance with Trust Clozapine Policies and national monitoring requirements, and contributing to a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.
Previous experience of working within clozapine services is desirable but not essential. We recognise that clozapine management is a specialist area and are committed to supporting the successful applicant through training, supervision and competency development. Applicants should, however, have a sound understanding of severe and enduring mental illness, community mental health practice, antipsychotic medication and physical healthcare monitoring.
The successful applicant will be a confident practitioner who is able to work independently, demonstrate strong clinical decision-making skills and communicate effectively across professional boundaries. You will be passionate about improving the physical health of people with serious mental illness and committed to delivering compassionate, person-centred care that promotes recovery and independence.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To take blood samples from patients ensuring consent is obtained before undertaking the procedure.
Ensure that blood samples are analysed using the PocHi and where required sent to the laboratory within specified time scales.
Managing blood results and take actions needed when results are outside normal parameters, following policy and national guidance.
To escalate concerns around service users physical health to the GP, MDT, and onsite pharmacist.
To escalate any concerns regarding IT failure and or the running of the clinic.
Managing clozapine applications like ZTAS and reporting issues to IT or managers when systems fail.
Ensure venipuncture is undertaken safely and in line with Infection Control Procedures.
Assess the general wellbeing of patients attending the clinic and discuss any concerns with relevant practitioners including pharmacy.
Provide physical and mental health monitoring and interventions in line with NICE guidelines such as ECGs.
Maintain regular contact with the pharmacy dept ensuring they are aware of patients who have not attended clinic.
Ensure that the clinic is fully stocked with the necessary forms, consumables, sundries and equipment.
Take responsibility for checking the cleaning, of all equipment and medications used in the clinic.
Ensure all equipment is safe and in working order.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Person Specification
Experience
- Demonstrated experience of working with people who experience serious ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a severe mental illness
- Phlebotomy training
- Previous experience of working with service users on Clozapine
- Knowledge of cardio Metabolic risks in clients with Severe and Enduring mental health conditions
Training & Qualifications
- RMN, social worker or occupational therapist with current relevant registration
- Evidence of continuing Professional Development
Knowledge & Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritise.
- Clinical supervision skills
- Research and audit skills
- Report writing skills
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, and National Policy
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address
Springfield University Hospital
15 Springfield Drive
London, Tooting
SW17 0YF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/