Continence Nurse

Livewell Southwest; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Protected CPD time

Training pathways

Nurse Training Scholarships

Job summary

Livewell Southwest invites applications for a Specialist Continence Nurse to deliver focused community care, supporting patients in their homes, residential and clinic settings. The role emphasises autonomy with collaboration across our specialist continence service.

You will assess and treat bladder and bowel incontinence, promote independence and dignity, and build therapeutic relationships with patients and carers in a compassionate, evidence‑based approach.

Qualifications

• Passion to improve quality of life for people with bladder and bowel health needs.
• Experience delivering person-centred, evidence-based continence care.
• Ability to work autonomously within a skilled community nursing team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist continence assessments and interventions.
• Undertake advanced level continence assessments and form treatment plans.
• Use clinical judgement to manage bladder and bowel incontinence effectively.
• Promote self-care, independence and patient empowerment.
• Support carers with education, advice and reassurance.
• Provide continence education and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Continence care

Community nursing

Autonomous practice

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Job description

Job summary

26.15 hours per week.

Proposed interview date in person Friday 13 November 2026

Deliver Specialist Care. Empower Independence, Change Lives in the Community.

Are you a passionate, skilled nurse with a drive to improve quality of life for people living with bladder & bowel health needs? Would you like to work in a specialist, community focused role where your expertise, compassion & clinical judgement make a meaningful difference every day?

We are delighted to invite applications to join our specialist community Continence Service, delivering high quality care across Plymouth, SH&WD.

Why Join Our Continence Service?

By joining our team, you will

• Be part of a dedicated specialist service making a genuine difference to peoples lives


• Use & develop advanced clinical skills in continence care


• Work autonomously while having the support of a knowledgeable, collaborative team


• Build long-term therapeutic relationships with patients & carers


• Contribute to innovation, education & continuous improvement in community care


• Experience meaningful, varied work in a role that truly values your expertise


• Join us & be part of a service where your specialist skills create lasting positive change.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to provide a specialist continence service to patients and their carers within the community. You will work autonomously and collaboratively to support individuals with bladder and bowel incontinence, delivering person centred, evidence-based care that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing

This is a highly rewarding role for a nurse who enjoys building therapeutic relationships, working holistically, and supporting people to manage long-term conditions confidently in their own environments

Where You'll Work

• Patients own homes


• Residential and nursing homes


• Clinic settings

This provides the opportunity to tailor care to individual needs and to see the real impact of your expertise on patients lives

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist continence assessments and interventions


• Undertake advanced level continence assessments, forming comprehensive, person-centred treatment plans


• Use expert clinical judgement to manage bladder and bowel incontinence effectively


• Promote selfcare, independence, and patient empowerment


• Support carers with education, advice, and reassurance


• Provide continence education


• Share specialist knowledge and competencies


• Use digital technology to support assessment, communication, and ongoing care

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline. All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities

1. JOB PURPOSE

To be responsible for assessing, triaging, planning, implementing, evaluating care which may be complex, sensitive and unpredictable with the support of senior nurse nurse specialist caseload holder

To Co-ordinate the delivery of care, application of clinical judgement in day-to-day changes in patients' needs and circumstances external to the individual, determining when to seek advice from senior clinical or management staff. This includes response to immediate crisis.

To undertake and to develop all nursing skills and competencies, updating as required for their role to enhance the skill mix of the nursing team ensuring that the ever‑changing health needs of patients are met.

To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, legible, and all care given to be documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies, the relevant professional body guidelines and Government directives.

To provide clinical supervision to other staff and students.

Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own health and wellbeing, maximising independence and facilitating health promotion.

Depending on role you will be required to work within a defined geographical area undertaking specific clinical nursing duties to patients in a variety of settings such as their own homes, care homes, other community locations or clinic set

Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff in the absence of the team leader.

1. SCOPE AND RANGE

To work within the scope of the NMC professional code of practice. Moving across the organisation should the need arise, for example, in a pandemic situation.

Your role may require you to be a non‑medical prescriber Nurse Prescriber taking responsibility for prescribing in line with Nurse Prescribing formulary and Plymouth Area Joint Formulary.

To work within Livewell Southwest policies.

Within the role you will be expected to work with more complex patients providing holistic evidence‑based care, assessing, planning, implementing the treatment requirements of the practice population.

To work collaboratively and maintain key working relationships with managers, service heads and leads.

Establish and uphold proactive connections with stakeholders, including ICBs, NHS Organisations, CHC, PCNs, Plymouth City Council, as well as private/voluntary sector St. Lukes.

Lead and participate in the management of enhanced assessments, rehabilitation programmes

Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own health and wellbeing, Maximise independence.

Share knowledge and skills and empower others.

Support the audit of patient outcomes.

Some services may need extra training to administer certain medications, such as intravenous medication, oxygen, or medicines under patient group directives.

Prevent hospital admission.

You may be required to undertake 7 days working, including bank holidays, this is subject to the terms and conditions set out in your contract of employment.

2. MAIN DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Responsibility for People Management

Be responsible for the planning, implementing, development, delivery and evaluation of care across community nursing teams/clinics.

To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and delegate where appropriate to the skill mix of the team.

As part of your role there may be a requirement / opportunity to undertake Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP) discussion, to achieve this you will be required to be competent in advanced communication, care planning and attended appropriate training to support competence.

To act as a role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of specialist practice and professional conduct.

Be responsible for providing and maintaining a learning environment and maximise opportunities for educational and development in the clinical area to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards. Acting as expert resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals.

Take part in the process of clinical supervision and support clinical supervision and reflective practice for team members.

To develop strategies for continued professional development as Non-Medical Prescriber if relevant for role

Support recruitment and selection of new staff, which may include being part of an interview panel.

Act as mentor for new staff and students, including leading on a structured induction and training programme for new members of staff.

Support the coordination of study leave, annual leave, and rotas to ensure the service is operationally covered. Where difficulties are identified in maintaining service provision that this is escalated to senior managers of the service in team managers absence.

Support the team manager in the supervision, line management, appraisals, mandatory training, standards and staff performance to work within the teams and supporting and investigating staff performance and absence.

Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development, maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role.

Within your job role there will be clinical specific competencies which you may need to undertake to enhance your knowledge and skills in practice.

Integrate theory into practice.

Support staff to complete documentation within the agreed organisational timeframes.

In the absence of the service manager, be responsible for the day-to-day management (without direct supervision) of the team and patient care provided to the agreed local and professional standards.

To maintain effective verbal and written communication with the clinical team and to keep staff informed of changes to prescribing intervention or treatment provided to service users.

To work in partnership with medical staff and service‑users in the development and implementation of clinical management plans related to an individuals treatment and prescribing needs.

To establish and maintain good liaison with key stakeholders in the individuals care e.g. GP practices and other services in the area, including sharing prescribing information and rationale.

2.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

To demonstrate awareness of resources, providing cost effective and quality-controlled usage of products.

To have a working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory funding and the legislation guidance that underpins these funding streams, ensuring service users meet the eligibility criteria when advocating for/ utilising services on the service users behalf e.g. Care Act eligibility, Housing legislation etc

Be authorised signatory and signing off the supplies and expenses. These include off duty, staff overtime, annual leave, bank nurses and the procurement of supplies for the team.

Exercise a duty of care in relation to the use of the organisations equipment and resources in a cost-effective manner.

To be responsible for overseeing and monitoring and authorising of equipment and ensuring maintenance and repair.

Track stock levels and ensure the supply levels are sufficient to meet the demands of the service.

Maintain effective working relationships with multidisciplinary team and deliver a cost-effective quality service to patient/carers within a defined geographical area.

To contribute to resource governance through knowledge and appropriate prescribing decisions.

2.3 Responsibility for administration

The post holder may be required to use a computer, mobile phone or lone working device and will be required to adhere to Livewell Southwest policies regards their use.

Compliance will be monitored through observation, spot checks and through incident management in line with the Organisations Incident reporting and Investigation policy.

The post holder will be expected to oversee the standard of patients records by audit or peer review and have a regular open discussion with team members.

Support the team manager in the recording of accurate clinical activity data.

To be responsible for maintaining lone working information for identified staff group and monitoring staff adherence to lone working policy and use of devices.

Ensure accurate records of FP10 prescription use maintained in accordance with organisational Medicines Policy.

Person Specification

Specific Skills

Essential

• Good time management


• Autonomous practitioner with the ability to work unsupervised.


• Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice.


• Ability to work alongside clinicians to support and enhance quality of patient care.


• Excellent interpersonal skills in Leadership, co‑ordination and management skills.


• Delegation skills.


• IT Literate.


• Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.


• Ability to act as a champion for patients and carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.

Desirable

• Flexible/Adaptable


• /Team player


• Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st Level Nurse Registration


• (degree or diploma)


• NMC Registration


• Current Registered Nurse with a relevant registered experience.


• Experience of mentoring.

Desirable

• Recognised teaching qualification mentorship or equivalent.


• Leadership experience/qualifications


• NMP prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.


• DNSPQ Qualification


• Specialist Nurse modules

Knowledge

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of current practice within the area specified in job purpose


• Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies


• Ability to translate best practice evidence and national policies in practice.


• Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care.


• Understanding of NICE guidance.


• The post holder will have experience undertaking Incident Investigations.

Desirable

• Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development


• Knowledge of service development


• Previous primary care / community experience.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Familiar and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.


• Demonstrate commitment to focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.


• Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.


• Ability to work flexibly, demonstrating commitment to partnership working.


• Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.

Desirable

• Values and diversity difference.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registered experience


• Able to demonstrate Clinical Management skills appropriate to the role.


• Proven relevant experience of Leadership.


• Experience in leading and development of new pathways of care and delivering best practice


• Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.

Desirable

• Experience and working knowledge of community setting desirable.


• Management/Leadership qualification


• Experience of influencing change in the workplace.

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.

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).

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