Mental Health Nurse - Reserve

Royal Army Medical Service

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • Officer
  • Specialist
  • medical

A Mental Health Nurse gives advice to Army units and Medical Officers on mental-health issues as well as managing a patient case load.

You'll help support soldiers and officers as part of a team working in a diverse range of clinical environments. You'll treat patients everywhere from community mental-health facilities on military bases to Multi-role Medical Regiments (MMR) in operational environments and have the opportunity to work in management, training and administration. You'll enjoy access to outstanding learning and development opportunities and get to travel, take part in Adventurous Training and play sports for the Army. With a competitive salary, non-contributory pension and free healthcare too, you'll get great rewards - and an amazing experience.

Royal Army Medical Service

The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) is responsible for maintaining the health of servicemen and women. The Corps is represented wherever the British Army is deployed, providing medical support to operations, exercises and Adventurous Training expeditions all over the world.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Provide general and specialist nursing care to soldiers and civilians

  • Manage daily patient case load on a ward within a Joint Hospital Group On operations you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, often alongside other multi-national forces

  • You could work in modern UK hospitals or the more austere and challenging conditions of a field hospital abroad

  • Excellent continued professional development up to and beyond MSc level

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Reserve (part time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 17 years & 9 months to 49 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    You need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as an Adult Mental Health Nurse (RN/RNMH).

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test): level 5.8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

JOIN AS A REGISTERED MENTAL HEALTH NURSE

As a Registered Mental Health Nurse, you'll be part of a team that provides the highest standard of care. Army nursing can be tough, so we'll give you the best possible military and professional training. You can develop your skills throughout your career with further study up to and beyond MSc level, funded by us. It's not all hard work though.

Training

You start Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.

  • Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.

  • Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.

JOIN AS A STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NURSE

You can join the Army Reserve as a Student Mental Health Nurse, however, until you complete your nurse training and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council you will fulfil an alternative role within the medical unit of your choice.

Qualifications you could get after training

On successful entry into the Army Medical Services Reserve you will be eligible to apply for consideration in CPD for Professional Qualifications commensurate to Role within with the Army Medical Services.

Pay & benefits

You’ll be paid on a daily rate commensurate to your qualifications. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.

More about Reserve benefits

How to Apply

If you've got your qualifications, then apply online. Your application will be passed to our specialist team, who will help guide you through the process towards joining in this role. You'll need to pass a specialist skills interview to check that your skills are in line with our needs.

More about the joining process