Bowel Nurse - diagnostics

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a registered nurse to join the Gastrointestinal Physiology (GI) service. The nurse will work with Clinical Scientists to perform diagnostic investigations and provide patient-specific management, including anorectal physiology tests, biofeedback, and bladder and bowel care.

You will train and progress toward autonomous practice within an approved timeframe, collaborating with MDT colleagues and leading patient-focused care across Bristol and Weston sites.

Qualifications

• Essential: Registered Nurse (Adult), NMC.
• Essential: Post-registration experience in colorectal, gastroenterology, continence or related specialty.
• Desirable: Experience in specialist bladder and bowel assessment.

Responsibilities

• Clinical assessment and care for bladder and bowel patients, including detailed history and examinations.
• Undertake anorectal physiology, biofeedback, urodynamics and bowel management under supervision, progressing to autonomous practice.
• Manage daily caseload and provide telephone/remote triage and advice.
• Contribute to MDT meetings and care planning with multidisciplinary team.
• Develop and review individualized bladder and bowel care plans and follow guidelines.

Skills

Post-registration experience in GI/col

Bladder & bowel assessment experience

Communication & teamwork

Education

Registered Nurse (Adult), NMC

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic registered nurse with a genuine interest in specialist adult bowel care to join our Gastrointestinal (GI) Physiology service. You will work closely with the Clinical Scientists to perform diagnostic investigations and provide patient specific management.

You will learn, and then independently deliver, anorectal physiology testing, biofeedback, transanal irrigation and wider bladder and bowel management for adults with functional bowel conditions. Full training, supervision and a structured competency programme will be provided, with the aim of progressing to autonomous practice within an agreed timeframe.

The team are also integrated within the Urodynamic department and support the running of urodynamics and continence care. This role will give you exposure to these procedures and the opportunity to help treat complex pelvic floor patients in a holistic manner.

You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and will be required to present cases and lead discussion at MDT meetings.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of the GI Physiology team to provide diagnostic investigations and implement conservative treatment options.

Records and IT

• Keep a high standard of prompt and accurate patient records using IT systems, in line with Trust policy and NMC standards.
• Use IT systems to produce accurate written reports, assessments and clinic letters.

Teamwork, service development and deputising

• Engage in team training and service development, contribute to clinical and data collection audits, and attend and participate in team and other service-relevant meetings.
• Contribute to updating guidelines and patient information.
• Use your initiative to seek additional work that supports the smooth running of the team, for example team administrative tasks, stock ordering, responding to group tasks, booking appointments and contacting patients or carers.

Education, supervision and professional development

• Take part in regular clinical supervision and reflective practice, and maintain a portfolio of evidence.
• Commit to ongoing professional development, including learning to perform anorectal physiology, biofeedback, urodynamics and other specialist skills, and undertaking further study relevant to the role.
• Support and supervise less experienced staff and students effectively when required, including informal teaching on bladder and bowel care.
• Attend conferences and training events, occasionally outside the area.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Clinical assessment and care

• Complete comprehensive, holistic clinical assessments of patients with bladder and bowel problems, taking a detailed history and using validated symptom and quality-of-life scores.
• Undertake intimate clinical examinations, including pelvic floor assessment and digital rectal examination (DRE), recording findings accurately and following evidence-based guidelines for care and clinical procedures.
• Assess, diagnose, plan and promote an excellent standard of bladder and bowel health for every patient, irrespective of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability or sexuality.
• Encourage patients to take ownership of their pelvic floor problem, supporting them to improve symptoms through education and engagement with treatment, self-help and lifestyle approaches.
• Observe, report and act on any changes in a patient’s condition, using clinical judgement to recognise when action or escalation is required.
• Work within your own clinical competencies, following the agreed competency framework, and seek advice from colleagues within the service or from external sources when required.

Caseload, triage and telephone advice

• Manage your daily patient caseload and appointments during your shift.
• Undertake telephone-based initial clinical assessments, and provide advice and follow-up by telephone and other remote methods to patients, carers and colleagues.

Anorectal physiology

• Undertake a structured training programme in anorectal physiology, working under supervision until signed off as competent.
• Perform anorectal physiology tests, such as anorectal manometry and rectal sensation testing, and use the results to inform patient care.
• Once competent, run anorectal physiology clinics, including preparing patients, carrying out and recording tests, and producing accurate reports.
• Maintain, calibrate and clean equipment in line with infection prevention and manufacturer guidance.

Bowel management

• Develop and review individualised bowel management plans, including dietary and lifestyle advice, fluid intake, toileting position and routine, and medication optimisation.
• Escalate complex cases to senior colleagues and seek medical advice where appropriate.

Biofeedback and pelvic floor rehabilitation

• Learn and, once competent, deliver biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor and anorectal retraining for constipation, evacuation difficulty and faecal incontinence.
• Teach patients exercises and techniques, monitor progress and adjust treatment accordingly.

Transanal irrigation

• Learn and, once competent, assess patients' suitability for transanal irrigation (TAI) and initiate treatment.
• Train patients and carers to use TAI systems safely and confidently, with follow-up to review effectiveness, troubleshoot problems and support long-term adherence.
• Recognise contraindications, complications and when to seek medical or senior advice.

Bladder care and urodynamics

• Assess patients with bladder dysfunction and develop and review individualised bladder management plans, including fluid intake, toileting routine and lifestyle advice, escalating complex cases to senior colleagues.
• Learn and, once competent, perform urodynamic studies and use the results to inform patient care.
• Teach patients and carers specialist methods of bladder management, such as intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC), and review effectiveness and any complications.
• Maintain, calibrate and clean urodynamic equipment in line with infection prevention and manufacturer guidance.

Communication and relationships

• Communicate effectively, assertively and non-judgementally with a diverse range of patients of differing ages, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability and sexuality, and with family members, carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including GPs when appropriate.
• Communicate sensitively about intimate and often distressing symptoms, showing an empathetic and compassionate approach and supporting informed choice and shared decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, urologists, gynaecology, continence services, dietitians, physiotherapists, GPs and community teams.
• Contribute to MDT meetings and case discussions.
• Work with integrity and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (Adult), NMC
• Post-registration experience in colorectal, gastroenterology, continence, surgical or a related specialty

Desirable criteria

• Experience in specialist bladder and bowel assessment, e.g. pelvic floor assessment, digital rectal examination (DRE)

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.