Community Specialist Diabetes Nurse

NHS; Harlow; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking a Diabetes Specialist Practitioner to enhance diabetes care across West Essex. The role involves providing expert clinical support, education, and training to healthcare professionals and patients, ensuring optimal management of diabetes. Candidates must possess relevant qualifications and a commitment to improving health outcomes for individuals with diabetes.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities and opportunities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Day One Flexible Employer

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant subject or equivalent with HPC/NMC registration.
• Post registration qualification in insulin management e.g. DAFNE educator.
• Current driving licence and ability to travel across sites.

Responsibilities

• Act as a clinical expert in diabetes care and management.
• Provide education and support for patients and their carers.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic care.

Skills

Diabetes management

Clinical expertise

Education and training

Communication skills

Education

Degree in relevant subject or equivalent

Post registration qualification in insulin management

Job description

Job summary

This is an integral part of the West Essex Care Closer to Home Strategy designed to ensure that patients receive appropriate safe care and treatment as close to home as possible.

The Diabetes Specialist Practitioner will work as an advanced practitioner who is a recognised expert in the field of diabetes management. The post-holder will be an autonomous clinician who will act as a diabetes resource/expert and key advisor leading on the development and provision of diabetes services.

The post holder will provide effective clinical skills to enhance health outcomes, in order to optimally meet the needs of people with diabetes across West Essex.

The post holder and his/her team will work across directorates and with partner organisations acting as a key contributor to the development of services for people with diabetes within those areas. This will include working with clinicians within primary and secondary care, the voluntary and non-statutory sector and most importantly people with diabetes and their families/carers to ensure care, including self-management is delivered most effectively.

Main duties of the job

- To act as a recognised clinical expert in all areas of diabetes care and management

- Practice clinically in agreed care settings according to approved protocols or guidance.

- To work as a practitioner within a multidisciplinary team, providing a continuous service for patients diagnosed with all forms of diabetes, providing holistic care, advice and support in community settings.

- To provide education and support for adult patients and their carers with regard to all areas of diabetes care and management Trust wide

- To act as a resource for health care professionals in both primary and secondary care settings, offering specialist advice and support regarding all aspects of diabetes and its associated therapies and complications

- To act as mentor to junior nurses, providing expert knowledge and advice, clinical supervision and clinical governance to ensure patient safety.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Details Date posted

19 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum plus HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-8997

Job locations

Latton Bush Centre, Harlow

Harlow

CM18 7BL

Job description Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

- To work as guided by NMC professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines

- To provide peer support to all health care professionals Trust-wide with regard to all aspects of diabetes care and management

- To provide expert diabetes knowledge and support to GPs, practice nurses and district nurses regarding all aspects of diabetes care and management

- Responsible for the provision of specialist knowledge and training in the use of medical devices used in the treatment/management of diabetes care

- Responsible and accountable for providing expert knowledge and advice by telephone to patient, carers, health care professionals and relevant others

- To provide structured education to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes within the framework of that provided within the trust

- Responsible for maintaining accurate and appropriate standards of documentation

- To deliver specialist knowledge of the delivery and actions of all oral and injectable therapies used in the treatment of diabetes

- To ensure own knowledge is up to date and evidence based

- Demonstrate a high level of clinical competence in diabetes management based on in depth knowledge, research and evidence based findings. Training will be provided within the diabetes department.

- To develop and maintain skills required to practice, using developed communication and teaching skills to educate patients by using motivational and counselling techniques to facilitate change

- Act as an effective role model to all healthcare professionals and as an expert resource on the management of diabetes

- Identify people with diabetes who are at risk of developing acute complications and agree a care plan/management strategy which will support patients carers and health care teams to manage their diabetes more effectively

- Empower and support patients with diabetes to achieve their self-management goals by making informed decisions relating to their glycaemic control and the prevention of diabetes complications

- To use biochemical results to optimise treatment interventions according to evidence based practice and incorporating the preference of the person with diabetes

- Ensure safeguarding and mental capacity issues are recognised and dealt with appropriately

- To participate in audits/research to monitor and develop the service in achieving identified outcomes NSF milestones and NICE guidelines and to influence change in the event of up to date research findings

- Participate in and encourage sharing of best practice and knowledge at relevant local and national meetings/networks

- To provide cover where appropriate (by mutual arrangement)and work in a collaborative way with the other diabetes specialist nurses to ensure adequate staffing levels .

- Make and receive referrals for patients who have diabetes with complex needs.

- Use advanced skills and expert knowledge to undertake comprehensive assessment of needs, establishing both the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient to inform the development of a comprehensive care plan.

- Analyse signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, investigations and other measures of function in formulating a specialist diagnosis.

- Develop evidence-based treatment plans based on sound clinical decision making.

- In partnership with patients and carers, facilitate a self-management approach to achieve optimum levels of self-care. Demonstrate, teach and supervise the care that families can undertake safely, advising as necessary.

- Interpret when necessary/applicable to the patient and family the implications of their condition/s, offering comprehensive information in a way that is understood, including how to recognise early signs of deterioration, how and where to seek support, intervention and treatment options and their likely outcomes.

- Contribute to the provision of expert advice and facilitation of policy development and implementation for identified areas of diabetes care, both within West Essex Integrated Community Services and other health and social care partner organisations.

- Provide expert level professional advice to the integrated teams, patients, carers and voluntary agencies.

- Exercise a high degree of personal professional autonomy and make critical judgements of the highest order.

- Liaise with professional associations and institutions and provide up to date resources and information for staff.

- Identify opportunities for service development and improved treatment.

- Identify clinical issues that reduce the quality of care, and support changes in practice to improve outcomes for patients.

Leadership

- To have knowledge and comply with the NMC Directives and Codes of Conduct

- To have knowledge and comply with Trust Policies and Procedures

- To actively support and maintain effective lines of communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients and their carers

- To work together with the diabetes multi-disciplinary team to develop pathways of care

- To assist with training programmes for all allied health care professionals working Trust wide

- To manage own workload and support more junior team members to prioritise workload safely and effectively

- Act as Trust Advocate across boundaries with outside agencies involved in the delivery of diabetes services

- Contribute towards the development of guidelines and protocols which reflect evidence based best practice and also to support implementation

- To Support and promote evidence based cost effective use of NHS resources

- Involvement in the acute/community care pathway redesign.

- Demonstrate good negotiation and influencing skills, with ability to represent diabetes at local and regional level.

- Investigate local complaints and take appropriate action.

- To monitor clinical waiting times, triaging referrals.

- To actively seek new knowledge, innovations and create appropriate change in line with risk management and professional boundaries.

- Promote, facilitate and participate in the provision of skill acquisitions.

- To lead, support, educate and motivate community colleagues to deliver optimum care.

- Ability to manage change at both strategic and operational levels.

Communication Skills

- Communicate highly sensitive condition related information to patients and carers.

- Deal sensitively with patients or cares who have a high level of anxiety and aggression caused by their condition/problems or their responsibilities.

- Effectively adapt communication techniques according to the individual needs of the patient e.g. the patient may have a learning disability, mental health problems, a confessional state, neurological condition or may not speak English as their first language.

- Respond to telephone calls to the service, providing information, advice, reassurance and support to callers.

- To liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team,

.Research

- To promote practice and education that is evidence based in relation to diabetes care.

- Participate in audits and use up to date research information to inform best clinical practice in diabetes care.

- To conduct and support audit of the quality and effectiveness of the diabetes service.

- Utilise technology to collect, share and retrieve data upon which to base informed practice.

- Promote evidence-based practice and assist staff in the utilisation of diabetes research to support patient care.

Education

- Contribute to education programmes arranged within the Trust and to integrated nursing teams.

- Participate in reflective practice.

- Identify own learning and development needs.

- Working collaboratively within the team to continuously collate, monitor and analyse service information making comparisons against quality standards, contributing towards the development of proposals for reducing clinical risk and improving clinical care, through the use of clinical systems in line with regulations and policies and procedures.

- To have working knowledge of IT skills working towards improvement of skills for the improvement of the service. Ensure all staff are made aware of changes required as part of the National Programme for IT and use of clinical systems.

- To input data and information accurately and completely using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems.

- To ensure the necessary precautions are adhered to when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act.

The post holder will be required to travel across all areas of the Trust and will at all times work alone, independently and as part of a team.

Job description Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

- To work as guided by NMC professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines

- To provide peer support to all health care professionals Trust-wide with regard to all aspects of diabetes care and management

- To provide expert diabetes knowledge and support to GPs, practice nurses and district nurses regarding all aspects of diabetes care and management

- Responsible for the provision of specialist knowledge and training in the use of medical devices used in the treatment/management of diabetes care

- Responsible and accountable for providing expert knowledge and advice by telephone to patient, carers, health care professionals and relevant others

- To provide structured education to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes within the framework of that provided within the trust

- Responsible for maintaining accurate and appropriate standards of documentation

- To deliver specialist knowledge of the delivery and actions of all oral and injectable therapies used in the treatment of diabetes

- To ensure own knowledge is up to date and evidence based

- Demonstrate a high level of clinical competence in diabetes management based on in depth knowledge, research and evidence based findings. Training will be provided within the diabetes department.

- To develop and maintain skills required to practice, using developed communication and teaching skills to educate patients by using motivational and counselling techniques to facilitate change

- Act as an effective role model to all healthcare professionals and as an expert resource on the management of diabetes

- Identify people with diabetes who are at risk of developing acute complications and agree a care plan/management strategy which will support patients carers and health care teams to manage their diabetes more effectively

- Empower and support patients with diabetes to achieve their self-management goals by making informed decisions relating to their glycaemic control and the prevention of diabetes complications

- To use biochemical results to optimise treatment interventions according to evidence based practice and incorporating the preference of the person with diabetes

- Ensure safeguarding and mental capacity issues are recognised and dealt with appropriately

- To participate in audits/research to monitor and develop the service in achieving identified outcomes NSF milestones and NICE guidelines and to influence change in the event of up to date research findings

- Participate in and encourage sharing of best practice and knowledge at relevant local and national meetings/networks

- To provide cover where appropriate (by mutual arrangement)and work in a collaborative way with the other diabetes specialist nurses to ensure adequate staffing levels .

- Make and receive referrals for patients who have diabetes with complex needs.

- Use advanced skills and expert knowledge to undertake comprehensive assessment of needs, establishing both the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient to inform the development of a comprehensive care plan.

- Analyse signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, investigations and other measures of function in formulating a specialist diagnosis.

- Develop evidence-based treatment plans based on sound clinical decision making.

- In partnership with patients and carers, facilitate a self-management approach to achieve optimum levels of self-care. Demonstrate, teach and supervise the care that families can undertake safely, advising as necessary.

- Interpret when necessary/applicable to the patient and family the implications of their condition/s, offering comprehensive information in a way that is understood, including how to recognise early signs of deterioration, how and where to seek support, intervention and treatment options and their likely outcomes.

- Contribute to the provision of expert advice and facilitation of policy development and implementation for identified areas of diabetes care, both within West Essex Integrated Community Services and other health and social care partner organisations.

- Provide expert level professional advice to the integrated teams, patients, carers and voluntary agencies.

- Exercise a high degree of personal professional autonomy and make critical judgements of the highest order.

- Liaise with professional associations and institutions and provide up to date resources and information for staff.

- Identify opportunities for service development and improved treatment.

- Identify clinical issues that reduce the quality of care, and support changes in practice to improve outcomes for patients.

Leadership

- To have knowledge and comply with the NMC Directives and Codes of Conduct

- To have knowledge and comply with Trust Policies and Procedures

- To actively support and maintain effective lines of communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients and their carers

- To work together with the diabetes multi-disciplinary team to develop pathways of care

- To assist with training programmes for all allied health care professionals working Trust wide

- To manage own workload and support more junior team members to prioritise workload safely and effectively

- Act as Trust Advocate across boundaries with outside agencies involved in the delivery of diabetes services

- Contribute towards the development of guidelines and protocols which reflect evidence based best practice and also to support implementation

- To Support and promote evidence based cost effective use of NHS resources

- Involvement in the acute/community care pathway redesign.

- Demonstrate good negotiation and influencing skills, with ability to represent diabetes at local and regional level.

- Investigate local complaints and take appropriate action.

- To monitor clinical waiting times, triaging referrals.

- To actively seek new knowledge, innovations and create appropriate change in line with risk management and professional boundaries.

- Promote, facilitate and participate in the provision of skill acquisitions.

- To lead, support, educate and motivate community colleagues to deliver optimum care.

- Ability to manage change at both strategic and operational levels.

Communication Skills

- Communicate highly sensitive condition related information to patients and carers.

- Deal sensitively with patients or cares who have a high level of anxiety and aggression caused by their condition/problems or their responsibilities.

- Effectively adapt communication techniques according to the individual needs of the patient e.g. the patient may have a learning disability, mental health problems, a confessional state, neurological condition or may not speak English as their first language.

- Respond to telephone calls to the service, providing information, advice, reassurance and support to callers.

- To liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team,

.Research

- To promote practice and education that is evidence based in relation to diabetes care.

- Participate in audits and use up to date research information to inform best clinical practice in diabetes care.

- To conduct and support audit of the quality and effectiveness of the diabetes service.

- Utilise technology to collect, share and retrieve data upon which to base informed practice.

- Promote evidence-based practice and assist staff in the utilisation of diabetes research to support patient care.

Education

- Contribute to education programmes arranged within the Trust and to integrated nursing teams.

- Participate in reflective practice.

- Identify own learning and development needs.

- Working collaboratively within the team to continuously collate, monitor and analyse service information making comparisons against quality standards, contributing towards the development of proposals for reducing clinical risk and improving clinical care, through the use of clinical systems in line with regulations and policies and procedures.

- To have working knowledge of IT skills working towards improvement of skills for the improvement of the service. Ensure all staff are made aware of changes required as part of the National Programme for IT and use of clinical systems.

- To input data and information accurately and completely using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems.

- To ensure the necessary precautions are adhered to when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act.

The post holder will be required to travel across all areas of the Trust and will at all times work alone, independently and as part of a team.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential

• Degree in relevant subject or equivalent with HPC/NMC registration
• Post registration qualification in insulin management e.g. DAFNE educator
• Working knowledge of the NSF for Diabetes and relevant NICE guidelines

Desirable

• Registered non-medical prescriber or willingness to achieve within the first 6 months in post

Corporate Essential

• Current driving licence
• Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential

• Degree in relevant subject or equivalent with HPC/NMC registration
• Post registration qualification in insulin management e.g. DAFNE educator
• Working knowledge of the NSF for Diabetes and relevant NICE guidelines

Desirable

• Registered non-medical prescriber or willingness to achieve within the first 6 months in post

Corporate Essential

• Current driving licence
• Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Latton Bush Centre, Harlow

Harlow

CM18 7BL

Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Latton Bush Centre, Harlow

Harlow

CM18 7BL

Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)