OPAT Nurse Specialist

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Nurse for OPAT/IV Therapy. The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, operating across inpatient and outpatient settings with a 7-day service.

A current UK driving licence and access to a car are essential. The post offers a salary between £39,959 and £48,117 pro rata per annum and requires extensive post-registration nursing experience, OPAT knowledge, and leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• NMC registration and revalidation required.
• Significant post-registration nursing experience at least Band 5 level.
• Experience mentoring, supporting and developing staff.
• Experience in OPAT and managing clinical workload.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy implementation and suggest changes to practice where necessary.
• Manage financial and physical resources.
• Ensure safe use of equipment and be an authorised signatory for purchases.
• Recruitment and HR processes in the clinical area.
• Mentor, supervise and develop junior staff.

Skills

OPAT experience

Nurse management

Mentoring staff

CVAD competencies

Clinical decision-making

Teaching/education

Driving licence

Education

NMC registration & revalidation

UK nursing qualification

Job description

Main area OPAT/IV therapy Specialist Nurse Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent: Working hours are 08.00am - 16.00pm - Bank Holidays and Weekend working as part of a 7-day service Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 320-CDCS-4310

Site University Hospitals of Derby & Burton Town Derby Salary £39,959 - £48,117 pro rata pa Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 14/10/2026

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

With over 14,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds. All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.

The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme

To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

if you are blind or visually impaired and require application material in an alternative format- such as Braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic formats oryou require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on 01332 788466

The Trust is proud to be a signatory of the Care Leavers Covenant and is committed to supporting care-experienced people into employment.

Applicants who identify as a care leaver and who meet the essential criteria for the role, as detailed in the person specification, will be guaranteed an interview.

If you wish to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this within your application.

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for;

Job overview

We are looking for an individual with broad adult nurse experience as a Registered Nurse, a positive outlook and a passion for driving services forward. Experience within Outpatient/inpatients Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) and across inpatient/outpatient/ community setting is preferred, but anyone who can demonstrate a high standard of general adult nursing may apply.

We will provide all speciality relevant training. Substantial post qualification experience in nursing, with evidence of management skills gained through theoretical knowledge or experience. Experience of mentoring and developing staff. Peripheral venous Cannulation / venepuncture skills/ CVAD Competencies. Clinical decision-making skills.

An understanding of the role of an OPAT nurse, in relation to the current health care environment. Demonstrate in depth specialist knowledge, skills and innovative practice in the delivery of OPAT Experience in teaching & educating others as this is a key element of the role an understanding including knowledge of the 5 OPAT delivery methods, including outreach and visiting patients in the community setting. Experience and involvement of service expansion including cross site working at all UHDB sites.

Must hold current UK driving License and have access to a car which can be used and is insured for work purposes.

Main duties of the job

Takes the lead for implementing some policies/procedures and suggesting changes to practice/ procedures where necessary.

Responsibilities for financial and physical resources.

Takes personal responsibility for effective management of resources and safe use of equipment.

Ensures maintenance of equipment is an authorised signatory for the purchase of equipment.

Responsibilities for human resources Day to day management of the clinical area.

Undertakes some appraisals and identifies staff development needs.

Participates in the recruitment of staff. Initial stages of the management of HR policies.

Acts as a mentor/preceptor / clinical supervisor to members of staff.

Responsibilities for information services

Accurately maintains patient/staff records, records own data. Responsibilities for research & development Participates in audits and research within own clinical area.

Uses the results of research to inform own clinical practice.

Freedom to act Works within Professional codes of practice.

Work is managed rather than supervised.

Physical effort Physically able to perform the full range of nursing duties

Closing date of applications: 30 September 2026

Interview date: 14 October 2026

Working for our organisation

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers

Important visa information: Due to UK Home Office immigration rule changes effective from 22 July 2025, applicants sponsored under Occupation Code 6131 (Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants) may not be eligible to bring dependants under the Skilled Worker route if their Certificate of Sponsorship is issued on or after this date. Applicants are responsible for understanding how these rules apply to their individual circumstances. The Trust cannot provide immigration advice. Further information is available on the Skilled Worker visa: Your partner and children - GOV.UK

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa

Read about the Health and Care Visa for employing overseas nationals (excluding Irish citizens) under the points-based immigration system.

Person specification

Skills and Ability

• Contributes to be a decision maker
• Able to assesses associated risks and takes appropriate action
• Manages the clinical workload, prioritising and re-prioritising
• Supports safe/ safer staffing
• Driving Licence

Qualifications

• NMC registration & revalidation Requirements. Significant post registration experience, and experience at a band 5 post

Experience & Knowledge

• Evidence of management / leadership skills gained through theoretical knowledge and or Experience.
• Experience of mentoring, supporting, coaching and developing staff
• Specific knowledge of the clinical area / OPAT speciality
• Evidence of teaching/ nurturing

Communications and interpersonal skills

• Communicates condition related, sensitive information to patients, Public and staff.
• Understands and overcomes barriers to Communication and acceptance
• Negotiation, persuasion, motivation, reassurance, facilitation and influencing skills

Values and Behaviours

• Evidence of commitment to Trust values and behaviours

Other requirements

• Contributes to change
• CVAD essential to role as the majority of the work will involve Intravenous medications and accessing Mid/PICC lines.
• Contributes to standardisation

Skills

• Provide supervision of the delivery of care responding to changing clinical situations, whilst providing the necessary advice and support to maintain high standards of patient care.
• Act as a role model at all times ensuring that all team members and others visiting the area give high priority to policies and procedures relating to infection control in order to maintain a safe clinical environment for everyone.

Our Trust aims to provide the highest quality care to patients within Derbyshire and South East Staffordshire and we want the very best people to work with us.

Follow us on Twitter @UHDBTrust or find us on Facebook & LinkedIn - UHDBTrust

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please ensure that you had read the Job Description and Person Spec and that you meet the criteria before applying.

At UHDB , we offer different ways to work flexibly to each and every one of our colleagues, many of whom already work flexibly at all sites of the Trust.

For our roles we are open to discussing the possibility of part-time/ reduced hours/ compressed hours/ flexible start and finish times/ fixed/flexible shifts/annualised hours/ term time hours/ hybrid working – working partly in the trust/partly at home.

Why don’t you talk to us at interview about the flexibility you would like to explore and what it means to you, and we will discuss what’s possible for the job and team, and the opportunities we might be able to create together.

We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise to work with you to look at all the available options.

Most of our posts are subject to a DBS check, however having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from obtaining a position. Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent to you via our trac.system account. Please ensure that you regularly check your emails; this includes junk/spam, as your security settings may not recognise the sender.

Anyone from outside of the UK (excluding from the Republic of Ireland) will need permission from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to work in the UK and may also need entry clearance before travelling here.

UKVI is responsible for managing migration. To obtain a visa or entry clearance, you will need to meet certain requirements and demonstrate you have the right the work in the UK via:

• the points-based immigration system
• the EU settlement scheme
• eVisa

During the course of its employment activities, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust collects, stores and processes personal information about prospective, current and former staff.

Our Privacy Notice includes applicants, employees (and former employees), workers (including agency, casual, honorary and contracted staff), volunteers, trainees and those carrying out work experience – please refer to our Privacy Notice available on our Trust website: https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/information-governance

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

If we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please ensure that you had read the Job Description and Person Spec and that you meet the criteria before applying.