Senior Diabetes Nurse Specialist

NHS; Worthing; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Worthing seeks a Diabetes Specialist Nurse to lead the inpatient diabetes service, provide education, and support patients. Applicants must have NMC registration and relevant experience. This part-time fixed-term position offers a salary of £47,810 to £54,710 per annum. The role involves collaborative patient care and opportunities for service development, aiming to enhance diabetes management within the community.

Qualifications

• Current UK NMC registration required.
• Demonstrable experience in diabetes and supervising junior staff.
• Ability to work under stress and manage own workload.

Responsibilities

• Lead the inpatient diabetes service.
• Educate patients and healthcare staff.
• Perform patient assessments and develop care plans.
• Participate in service development and quality initiatives.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Diabetes management

Patient education

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

NMC level 1

First-level degree

Relevant post-registration qualification

Masters degree or working towards

Tools

Diabetes technologies (CSII, CGM)

Job description

Job Summary

To develop, co‑ordinate and provide a highly specialist diabetes care service, while working in partnership with patients and their carers/relatives and clinicians in the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust catchment area. To be a clinical and educational resource and provider of specialist care for patients and their health professionals across the healthcare community.

To provide patient care in delivering type 1 structured education, therapy involving technology and inpatient care.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route; sponsorship is only available where applicants meet the specific UKVI requirements, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25,000), and any role‑specific criteria.

Main Duties

• Lead the inpatient diabetes in‑reach service as part of a wider Band 7 team.
• Educate patients and carers on diabetes management.
• Educate staff.
• Lead service development opportunities.

Note: If you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying for this position as a secondment opportunity, seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments cannot be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed‑term position.

About Us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included as we deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown by our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran‑Aware Trust.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted: 18 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 per annum (pro rata)

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Part‑time

Reference number: 279‑7577260‑NOV25

Job Locations

Worthing Hospital
Worthing
BN11 2DH

Job Responsibilities

• Communications and Relationship skills – Factor 1
  • Provide expert nursing advice and support to patients, families/carers and other healthcare professionals throughout diagnosis and treatment.
  • Promote effective communication across primary and secondary care to ensure a seamless, equitable, quality service for all people with diabetes in the University Hospitals Sussex catchment.
  • Provide and deliver structured type 1 education.
  • Follow up patients as appropriate and ensure information is available to enable informed choices.
  • Impart knowledge of chronic illness and work effectively in distressing circumstances.
  • Create opportunities to promote and share good practice locally and nationally via presentations and publications.
  • Support the Nurse Consultant in Diabetes and senior colleagues during major incidents and organise care for relatives in the designated area.
• Analytical and Judgemental skills – Factor 3
  • Perform concise, comprehensive patient assessments, identify risk factors, and generate care plans.
  • Undertake autonomous diagnostic/therapeutic interventions, interpret results and initiate treatment based on findings.
  • Advise on medications, insulins and methods of administration; adjust doses and transition patients to insulin as per guidelines.
  • Facilitate technology‑based solutions (pump therapy, flash/continuous glucose monitoring).
  • Analyse and interpret audit reports and produce recommendations.
• Planning and Organisational skills – Factor 4
  • Organise and deliver education and training programmes to multi‑professional groups and individuals.
  • Attend and coordinate MDT meetings.
  • Manage a complex caseload of outpatients, discharging back to community and primary care as required.
  • Support triage of diabetes patient referrals, assessing urgency and signposting to appropriate HCPs.
• Patient/Client Care – Factor 6
  • Lead and participate in nurse‑led inpatient care, liaise with ward staff for specialist advice, ensuring high‑quality nursing care.
  • Provide clinical, psychological and social support to people with diabetes and their carers at all disease stages.
  • Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to complex emotional and physical conditions.
  • Prioritise safety and timely discharge or transfer of care, identifying barriers and acting appropriately.
• Policy and Service Development Implementation – Factor 7
  • Ensure all care complies with local and national guidelines and protocols.
  • Lead and participate in service development projects and quality initiatives.
  • Update policies, pathways and guidelines for evidence‑based care.
  • Participate in patient experience initiatives and collect feedback.
• Financial and Physical Development – Factor 8
  • Contribute to managing the department budget and resource utilisation.
  • Review stock levels, equipment and ensure cost‑effective service provision.
• Human Resources – Factor 9
  • Cover for other specialist nurses within the team.
  • Line‑manage junior staff, including appraisals, training and development.
  • Support recruitment and retention of staff.
  • Adhere to current HR policies and manage disciplinary issues.
• Information Resources – Factor 10
  • Use databases, spreadsheets and trust IT systems (patient administration, e‑prescribing, notes).
  • Ensure adherence to information governance policies.
• Research and Development – Factor 11
  • Lead clinical audit projects and participate in applicable research.
  • Attend meetings and conferences.
  • Promote a positive learning and working environment.
• Professional Responsibilities – Not included in factors
  • Maintain accurate clinical records and revalidation responsibilities.
  • Lead within the department and trust.
  • Keep current with literature and research in the specialty.
  • Participate in performance appraisals and staff appraisals.
  • Practice in accordance with the NMC code of conduct.
• Clinical Responsibilities – Not included in factors
  • Triage patients using the Diabetes Specialist Nurse telephone and email advice line.
  • Provide telephone support to healthcare professionals.
  • Work effectively in a multi‑disciplinary team providing holistic care.
  • Be a non‑medical prescriber or be willing to undertake qualification.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience – Essential

• NMC level 1
• Relevant post‑registration qualification
• First‑level degree
• Non‑medical prescriber (or willingness to undertake)
• Master’s degree or working towards it
• Ability to prioritise own workload, triage and work under stress and with interruptions.

Clinical – Essential

• Experience supervising junior staff or nursing students
• Demonstrable post‑registration experience
• Relevant experience in diabetes
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Experience with technologies such as CSII, CGM, Flash glucose monitoring

Analytical and Judgemental – Essential

• Advanced clinical assessment skills and ability to plan and implement treatments
• Evidence of critical and analytical skills

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Essential

• Evidence of development to improve understanding of equality issues
• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles (if relevant)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exception Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Worthing Hospital
Worthing
BN11 2DH

Website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/

Equal Opportunities Statement

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds.