Band 6 Community Specialist Nurse

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; England; Presencial; GBP 40.000 - 48.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Band 6 Community Specialist Nurse to provide expert nursing assessment and manage discharge-to-assess services within the Interim Team Community Discharge to Assess.

The role emphasizes frailty management, MDT collaboration, and education delivery, with leadership duties including deputising for the Clinical Lead and supporting initiatives to improve independence and reduce hospital admission.

Formación

• NMC registered Nurse required.
• BSc (Hons) in Nursing or equivalent.
• Evidence of CPD and post-graduate qualifications in frailty or related topics recommended.

Responsabilidades

• To work with patients under the service, providing specialist nursing assessments and core Initial assessments and screening tools with MDT input.
• Deliver education and training to staff on core clinical skills including infection control, medication management and wound care.
• Support the Clinical Lead and deputise in their absence; contribute to care pathways for frailty, discharge to assess and rapid response initiatives.

Educación

NMC registered Nurse, BSc (Hons) in Nursing or equivalent

Descripción del empleo

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Band 6 Community Specialist Nurse

The closing date is 15 November 2026

To provide specialist nursing expertise within the Interim Team Community Discharge to Assess Service.

Main duties of the job

To work with patients under the care of the service, for provision of a specialist nursing assessment or a generic core Initial assessment and screening tools making excellent use of MDT working.To undertake specialist nursing and assessment and treatment and also the development of rehabilitation/care programmes for adults, many of whom have complex medical and social needs with the aim of improving independence, function and quality of life.To promote avoidance of hospital admission through early recognition and effective management of the deteriorating patient, close agency working and being involved in Rapid Response initiatives and local practices where necessary.To support the role of the Clinical Lead, deputising in their absence as appropriate.To deliver regular education and training to staff within the service on core clinical skills relevant to the patient group including, infection control, medication management and wound care.

Interview: 24th November

About us

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

• To work with patients under the care of the service, for provision of a specialist nursing assessment or a generic core Initial assessment and screening tools making excellent use of MDT working.2. To undertake specialist nursing and assessment and treatment and also the development of rehabilitation/care programmes for adults, many of whom have complex medical and social needs with the aim of improving independence, function and quality of life.3. To promote avoidance of hospital admission through early recognition and effective management of the deteriorating patient, close agency working and being involved in Rapid Response initiatives and local practices where necessary.4. To support the role of the Clinical Lead, deputising in their absence as appropriate.5. To deliver regular education and training to staff within the service on core clinical skills relevant to the patient group including, infection control, medication management and wound care.Communication and Working Relationship SkillsCommunicates complex and sensitive information with patients regarding their management, treatment goals, likely outcomes, and ongoing care plans, taking into consideration communication differences and difficulties which may include but not be limited to, sensory loss, communication and cognitive impairments, and mood disturbances, ensuring this is done in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.Liaises and communicates effectively with carers and relatives, verbally or in writing, regarding their diagnosis, management and rehabilitation.Acts as a role model and provides support to junior staff and other members of the MDT when communicating sensitive and sometimes distressing information to patients, relatives and carers.Takes a collaborative role in ensuring effective communication with the multidisciplinary team, as well as colleagues across wider community health and social care services, to ensure a unified approach to treatment options and the delivery of optimum patient care.Pro-actively establishes links and networks with other nurses within the Trust, regionally and nationally in order to share best practice.Is proactive in coordinating high quality and timely written and verbal onward referrals to appropriate community services.To maintain accurate and confidential patient health care records and to submit statistical returns for the purpose of auditing and monitoring Analytical and Judgemental SkillsExercises independent clinical judgement by analysing and interpreting clinical signs and considers the range of options available.Able to assimilate large volumes of complex clinical information in order to inform clinical decision making at paceWorks with staff in ensuring that patients progress is monitored and evaluated effectively and treatment programs are adapted in line with evidence base as required.To lead in undertaking risk assessments relating to nursing interventions and especially in relation to patient safety in their own environment for example, medications management.Acts as deputy lead in the absence of the clinical lead, practising at a specialist level, demonstrating the ability to make judgements and decisions regarding patient care pathways, drawing on specialist theoretical, research and practical knowledge.Planning and Organisational SkillsOrganises own time, to manage and prioritise own caseload and manage clinical risk of own interventions.Role models flexibility and the need to be able to offer support to other clinical areas as required in line with escalation policy and major incident policy.Identifies to the Team Lead and Band 7 ESD Nurse any areas of concern in service delivery and works with them using a QI approach to plan and deliver service improvements.Organises and delivers an on-going programme of education and training to the staff within the service including induction training, competency assessment and nursing skills training to ensure patients are cared for safely and effectively.In the absence of the Clinical Lead coordinates the staffing workforce to deliver a timely and effective service including providing cover for sickness absence.Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and TherapyTo assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of patients, to meet their specific needs, using specialist clinical acumenTo provide highly complex information to patients and their families/carers, to empower them to manage their condition effectively and to make long-term health care choicesTo manage patient treatments using protocols regarding medication regimes, as clinically indicated.Provides expertise as a specialist clinician with advisory and clinical input into quality and harm-free patient care for patients, carers and MDT staff and other healthcare professionalsIn line with current evidence and using specialist clinical reasoning skills and physical assessment techniques, is responsible for the assessment and treatment of patients with frailty, providing particular expertise in:o Frailty syndromeo Falls, and multifactorial risks for fallso Medications managemento Nutritiono Pressure area careo Continence assessment and managemento Manual handlingo Mood and anxietyo Psychological wellbeingo Carer supportEnsures effective communication regarding assessment findings throughout the treatment process, to assist in the overall management of the patient.Utilises highly skilled nursing skills to optimise patient independence and progress whilst ensuring the safety of patient, staff, relatives, and carers throughout the rehabilitation process and as the patient progresses.Supports the team to effectively manage nursing needs within the community setting.May provide support to the acute hospital MDT in order for the in-patient team to perform appropriate assessments, identify risk and develop mitigation/management plans, in order to facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital.
• Supports junior and un-registered team members in the evaluation of individual treatment programs and analysing patient responses to treatment, adapting individual treatment goals, program, and/or specific activities throughout the intervention to accommodate variations in patient performance.Provides specialised teaching and/or instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote an understanding of the aims of the treatment plan and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.Proactively supports the management of patient flow throughout the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC registered Nurse
• BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in nursing
• Evidence of CPD
• Further training or courses attended in nursing topics such as continence, tissue viability, and medication management.
• Completion of postgraduate education or training on frailty
• Physical examination course.
• Member of a special interest group

Experience

• Minimum of 18-24 months of postgraduate experience in a community/elderly care or rehab setting
• Supervision of staff
• Experience of working in a community nursing or rehab team.
• Specific frailty experience
• Research and audit
• Student supervision
• Ability to assess, manage and provide nursing interventions to patients with frailty and those with complex multi pathologies at specialist level.
• Ability to teach and supervise junior staff and peers regarding neurological nursing topics and issues.
• Skills in goal setting & evaluating outcome measures
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Ability to produce clear written documentation of intervention & reports
• Moving & handling skills and able to use specialist equipment appropriate to the patient group.
• Ability to learn and develop own clinical skills with frail patient group
• Able to assess
• Specific skills relating to continence or wound care

Knowledge

• Sound theoretical and practical knowledge of ageing
• Conversant with developments related to hospital discharge and discharge to assess at national and local levels
• Understanding of National drivers for older people's care
• Knowledge of the clinical pathway for frailty from acute care to long term management
• Ability to critique evidence base and apply to clinical practice
• Knowledge of Quality Improvement Methodology

Other requirements specific to the role

• Flexible to the needs of the service and able to prioritise clinical workload
• Good IT skills with the ability to utilise number of basic computer programmes competently (i.e. outlook, word, excel, databases)
• Recognises stress in self and others
• Ability to work under pressure and with frequent interruptions
• Able to travel within geographical area as required by service/requirements of post and needs to drive and have access to own car for work purposes.
• Able to triage and prioritise effectively
• Understanding of equipment needed for discharge

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work unsupervised and on own initiative and as part of multi-disciplinary team
• Effective communication skills using a range of methods
• Ability to deal appropriately with difficult situations
• Highly motivated
• Supportive of staff/team members
• Needs to work holistically and be patient centred
• Professional approach
• Good time management

Language requirement

• Be able to speak and understand English as necessary to undertake the role

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust