Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Mental Health Nurse to help lead the development of our mental health strategy at Cambridge University Hospitals. This specialist role supports clinical leadership and measurable service transformation, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on patient care in an acute hospital setting.

You should have prior experience in service improvement, leadership, governance, measuring outcomes and working collaboratively with diverse health partners. This position allows you to actively integrate mental health expertise within acute care, delivering holistic, safe and compassionate support to patients.

A key aspect involves supporting staff in managing mental health challenges across varied clinical areas. Education and training are also central to the role; you'll deliver regular education sessions and help shape CUH’s mental health education programme and be able to measure success.

You’ll enhance staff confidence and knowledge in supporting patients facing mental health difficulties. This is a dynamic and rewarding role offering variety and growth, alongside a supportive, experienced team. Initiative is welcomed, aligning with our goal to provide the best patient care.

While weekend shifts are not routinely rostered, occasional support may be requested during high demand periods, with unsocial hours payments applicable. Optional weekend bank shifts may also be available.

The post is based at Cambridge University Hospitals, Addenbrookes, as part of the Mental Health Team and aims to promote safe and effective mental health care.

To maintain a visible and engaged professional presence throughout the hospital departments and services.

Support and advise the workforce in the management and care of patients with mental health challenges.

Contribute to multidisciplinary decision making regarding patient care.

To promote and contribute to collaborative working with other departments, services and agencies, including other mental health services internal and external to the hospital.

Actively contribute to the delivery and development of the mental health education programme for CUH staff.

Contribute to service developments in line with national policies and drivers including the 10 year plan promoting mental health care.

Liaising with mental health providers to support transfers of care to appropriate care pathways.

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 8th November 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 24th November 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:

• applied for a Graduate visa
• or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

This advert closes on Sunday 8 Nov 2026