District Nurse Specialist

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider is seeking a passionate District Nurse Specialist to join their community nursing team in Plymouth. The role involves delivering high-quality nursing care and providing clinical leadership in care homes. Candidates must have a District Nurse Specialist qualification and a commitment to improving patient outcomes. This position offers a dynamic work environment and focuses on collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.

Benefits

Protected CPD time

Training pathways

Funding for qualifications

Qualifications

• Ability to conduct advanced clinical assessments and diagnose.
• Experience supervising students and/or staff.
• Current experience in all relevant clinical practice areas.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proactive nursing care in care homes.
• Support care homes with complex clinical needs.
• Provide clinical leadership to care home staff.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership

Caseload management

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Level 7 Specialist Practitioner qualification

NMC Registration

V150 / V300 non‑medical prescribing qualification

Job description

Job summary

Are you a passionate & experienced District Nurse Specialist looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of care home residents? We are seeking a District Nurse Specialist to join our dynamic community nursing team, with a dedicated focus on supporting care homes across Plymouth.

You must possess a District Nurse Specialist Practitioner Qualification, enabling you to conduct advanced clinical assessments, diagnose, and independently practice non‑medical prescribing while incorporating relevant research into care delivery.

This is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with the MDT, care home staff, residents, families and wider multidisciplinary teams to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care. You will act as a clinical lead, providing expert nursing input, promoting best practice and supporting the development of care home staff through education & mentorship.

The position requires a positive demeanour, strong communication, leadership and caseload management skills, requiring you to uphold integrity & initiative while effectively managing care as a Care Manager/Coordinator and utilising specialised skills to enhance risk management for patients and caregivers through evidence‑based practice.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to be able & willing to work across a 7‑day service. Job shares are considered. The role may be closed earlier if a high number of applications is received.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proactive and responsive nursing care to residents in care homes.
• Support care homes in managing complex clinical needs, including long‑term conditions, palliative care and frailty.
• Provide clinical leadership and guidance to care home staff.
• Facilitate integrated working with GPs, social care and other community services.
• Promote safe discharge planning and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and service development.
• Champion safeguarding practices and uphold the highest standards of care, protecting residents from harm and abuse.
• Lead on safe and effective third‑party delegation, ensuring appropriate tasks are delegated and supported by robust training and supervision.
• Monitor delegated tasks to ensure compliance with clinical standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Manage a complex District Nursing caseload in partnership with caseload holders.
• Take lead in MDT meetings, working with multi‑professionals to achieve holistic patient management.
• Triage and respond to urgent referrals, utilising advanced clinical skills and non‑medical prescribing.
• Provide holistic, evidence‑based care aligned with national and organisational policies.
• Maintain accurate records and audit care delivered to patients and carers.
• Act as a clinical advisor on health‑care issues within your area of expertise.

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.

We are guided by values of kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility and collaboration, focusing on sustainability and empowerment of staff and those we serve.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programmes and funding for qualifications such as the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sectors of the community, including those with lived experience of mental health, neuro‑diverse conditions and learning disabilities. Reasonable adjustments are available during the application process.

Person Specification – Essential Skills

• Evidence of relevant specialist training relating to the role.
• Ability to respond to urgent calls across the locality.
• Good multi‑agency liaison skills.
• Good time‑management and delegation skills.
• Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence‑based practice.
• IT literacy.
• Ability to work with difficult and complex situations.
• Flexible, adaptable and team‑player.
• Ability to act as a role model and motivate others.
• Non‑judgemental attitude.
• Capability to travel across geographical area.

Desirable

• Completed V150, with expectation to undertake V300 non‑medical prescribing.

Additional Requirements – Essential

• Familiar with and committed to NHS principles and values.
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement of patient outcomes.
• Consistently bring clinicians at the heart of decision‑making.
• Create and foster a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
• Use evidence to drive improvements and seek innovation.
• Demonstrate commitment to partnership working.
• Attention to detail and outcome focus.
• Ability to act as a champion for patients/carers and influence others.
• Travel across Plymouth and other geographical areas – reasonable adjustments available.

Qualifications – Essential

• Registered Nurse with a Level 7 or above Specialist Practitioner / Modules qualification.
• NMC Registration.
• Teaching skills.
• V150 / V300 non‑medical prescribing qualification.
• Experience supervising students and/or staff.
• Evidence of mentoring.
• Sign‑off clinical competency for all registered and unregistered staff.

Experience – Essential

• Clinical and management skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Innovative and assertive approach.
• Current experience and knowledge in all relevant clinical practice areas.
• Experience managing sensitive issues and overcoming communication obstacles.