Diabetes Nurse

The Methodist Church in Britain; Banbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Medical Limited's Banbury Cross Health Centre is seeking a specialist diabetes nurse to lead assessment and medicines management for patients with various forms of diabetes. The role includes training and advising GPs and practice nurses, and managing high‑risk patients from practice registers.

Candidates must hold an NMC registration, a postgraduate diabetes qualification, and substantial post‑registration diabetes experience.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in diabetes care is required.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in diabetes care is required.
• Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and management for diabetes patients (type 1, type 2, gestational and other forms).
• Carry out comprehensive reviews: glycaemic control, HbA1c, cardiovascular risk, medication optimisation and lifestyle.
• Initiate and titrate diabetes medications, including insulin where trained.
• Identify and manage acute issues: hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and DKA risk.
• Monitor long-term complications (cardiovascular, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy).
• Support CGM/flash glucose monitoring use and data interpretation.
• Deliver education on self-management, diet, weight, activity, glucose monitoring, adherence and digital literacy.
• Provide specialist training to GPs, practice nurses and healthcare assistants.

Skills

Diabetes care

Insulin therapy

Diabetes education

Clinical decision making

Autonomous practice

Motivational interviewing

Education

Postgraduate qualification in diabetes care

Evidence of CPD in diabetes care

Job description

This specialist diabetes nurse post sits within Banbury Cross Health Centre, run by Principal Medical Limited, a GP federation. The core of the work is specialist assessment and medicines management, including insulin, for people with type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. The post also trains and advises GPs and practice nurses, and takes on high-risk patients from practice registers. Candidates need NMC registration, a postgraduate diabetes qualification and substantial post-registration diabetes experience.

What the job involves

• Provide specialist assessment and management for patients with type 1, type 2, gestational and other forms of diabetes, including LADA, MODY, steroid, secondary and drug-induced diabetes
• Carry out comprehensive reviews covering glycaemic control, HbA1c, cardiovascular risk, medication optimisation and lifestyle, including deprescribing where appropriate
• Initiate and titrate diabetes medication, including insulin where appropriately trained
• Identify and manage acute issues such as hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and DKA risk, giving safety-netting and sick-day advice
• Monitor patients for long-term complications, including cardiovascular, kidney disease, neuropathy and retinopathy
• Support use of CGM and flash glucose monitoring and interpret glucose monitoring data
• Deliver personalised education on self-management, diet, weight, physical activity, glucose monitoring, medication adherence and digital literacy
• Provide specialist advice and training to GPs, practice nurses and healthcare assistants, supporting insulin initiation and complex regimens
• Identify high-risk patients through practice diabetes registers and manage them proactively with personalised care plans
• Work with endocrinology, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and community teams, and facilitate referrals to secondary care
• Take part in clinical audit, quality improvement and development of diabetes care pathways and integrated services
• Support inpatient diabetes management, consult with ward staff, and mentor junior nursing staff and students

What’s required

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in diabetes care
• Evidence of continuing professional development in diabetes care

Registration & licences

• Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Experience

• Post-registration experience in diabetes management
• Experience working in primary care or community nursing
• Experience managing patients with complex diabetes
• Experience in patient education, lifestyle support and chronic disease management
• Minimum 23 years of clinical experience in diabetes (as printed)

Skills & knowledge

• Advanced understanding of diabetes management in community settings
• Insulin therapy initiation and adjustment
• Interpreting blood glucose and continuous glucose monitoring data
• Communicating complex health information clearly to patients and clinicians, with motivational interviewing and behaviour change skills
• Autonomous assessment, management and clinical decision-making for complex cases

Other

• Clinical role model who mentors nurses and healthcare assistants, encourages best practice across GP practices and PCNs, and contributes to service improvement
• Empathy, shared decision-making, awareness of psychological, social and cultural factors, and maintaining dignity and confidentiality
• Working effectively in primary care multidisciplinary teams, valuing other professions, supporting integrated care and contributing to team discussions

Nice to have

• Independent prescribing qualification
• Advanced clinical assessment training
• Certification in insulin pump therapy or diabetes education
• Experience in research, audit or service development
• Experience supporting diabetes registers or population health initiatives
• Experience with insulin pumps or diabetes technology