Diabetes Specialist Nurse - Maternity

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust is seeking a Diabetes Specialist Nurse in Maternity, responsible for the management of women with diabetes during pregnancy. The role includes providing clinical leadership, education, and support to staff while ensuring high-quality evidence-based care. Applicants should have relevant qualifications, clinical experience, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in nurse-led care and clinics.
• Evidence of leading learning in practice.
• Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialty.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical expertise in managing diabetes during pregnancy.
• Support initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy.
• Act as clinical leader and resource for maternity care professionals.

Skills

Advanced clinical expertise

Patient education

Collaborative working

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register

Level 7 Post Grad Cert or Master's Degree

Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice

Registered as an independent prescriber

Leadership Qualification / training

Job description

Go back University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Diabetes Specialist Nurse - Maternity

The closing date is 08 July 2025

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

The Band 7 Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) in Maternity and Antenatal Care plays a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary management of women with pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) throughout pregnancy. The post holder will lead the diabetes maternity and antenatal team, providing clinical leadership and supervision to a small, dedicated team including midwives and other healthcare professionals. They will ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care through expert clinical practice, patient education, and collaborative working with the wider maternity and diabetes services. This role also contributes significantly to service development, audit, and the ongoing professional development of staff to improve outcomes for mothers and babies affected by diabetes.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

Provide advanced clinical expertise in the management of diabetes during pregnancy (Type 1, Type 2, and GDM).

Participate in antenatal diabetes clinics alongside obstetricians, endocrinologists, dietitians, and midwives.

Support initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and insulin pump therapy.

Provide individualised education and self-management support to women with diabetes throughout the perinatal period.

Monitor maternal glycaemic control and fetal growth, adjusting treatment plans in collaboration with the MDT.

Support postpartum follow-up for women with GDM and arrange appropriate referrals for continued care.

Act as a clinical leader and resource for midwives, nurses, and other professionals involved in maternity care.

Provide guidance on best practice, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines for diabetes in pregnancy.

Contribute to the development and implementation of diabetes-related policies and care pathways within maternity services.

Deliver education for women with GDM and pre-existing diabetes.

Provide in-service training and updates for maternity staff on diabetes management.

Support professional development of junior staff and student nurses.

Participate in audits, clinical effectiveness projects, and research activities related to diabetes and pregnancy.

Monitor outcomes such as maternal glycaemic control, birth weight, delivery outcomes, and neonatal complications.

Use audit findings to inform service improvement and redesign.

Act as a key liaison between obstetric, diabetes, and primary care teams.

Communicate complex clinical information to patients in a clear, empathetic, and culturally sensitive manner.

Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient records in line with local and national guidelines.

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Level 7 Post Grad Cert (Min 60 Credits), Master's Degree within relevant speciality or equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant speciality training, experience or portfolio
• Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice
• Provide evidence of leading learning in practice
• Evidence of experience and completion of all band 6 competencies within relevant speciality
• Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialist area
• Evidence of change Management, leadership and innovation
• Clinical experience at Band 6 or equivalent within relevant speciality
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing and supervision of a range of learnings in practice
• Counselling / advanced communication skills qualification / training
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Multidisciplinary team working
• Experience of nurse-led care / clinics in own practice
• Team leadership role
• Awareness of own leadership skills/style
• Registered as an independent prescriber
• Leadership Qualification / training

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 Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearPer Annum (PA) Pro Rata