Specialist Community Practitioner - District Nurse

Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions Ltd; Halifax; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust in Halifax invites applications for a Band 7 Specialist Community Practitioner (District Nurse). The post is full-time with flexible working and requires commitment to high-quality community care.

Applications from District Nursing-qualified professionals are welcome; the role covers a defined client group with potential cross-area duties and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Specialist Practitioner in District Nursing or working towards.
• Registered Nurse with current UK registration.
• Evidence of continuing CPD and portfolio development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a district nursing team and manage a defined caseload.
• Provide professional leadership and assessment of care needs.
• Deliver care across Calderdale district within a 24-hour cycle.
• Ensure documentation and records meet NMC standards.

Skills

District Nursing

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

Specialist Practitioner Qualification (District Nursing)

Registered Nurse

Teaching and assessing qualification

CPD portfolio

Job description

Specialist Community Practitioner - District Nurse

NHS AFC: Band 7

Main area Community Grade NHS AFC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 372-COM2733-A

Employer Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Central District Nurse Town Halifax Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 15/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 25/09/2026

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us.

Our Future Plans

The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visithttps://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust are inviting applications for a highly motivated Band 7 Specialist Community Practitioner to provide caseload management and hold responsibility for the care of a defined client group over a 24 hour period.

The post is full time and whilst situated in Central Halifax, there is an expectation that cover would be provided across the Calderdale geographic area where required.

We welcome applications from highly motivated dynamic individuals who currently hold a District Nursing qualification or are currently due to qualify this year.

We are committed to diversity in the workplace, equality of employment and the promotion of flexible working including job share.

If you feel you have the commitment and vision to support us on our journey this could be the job for you.

The post

• To provide professional leadership and carry the continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs.
• To manage and have responsibility for the care of a defined client group (caseload) over a twenty – four hour period.
• To manage a district nursing team within a geographical area. Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust provide a 24 hour district nursing service

Main duties of the job

• Able to create a professional nursing culture which is open to change, new ideas, concepts and innovation whilst reflecting organisational strategy and values.
• Demonstrate the ability to keep up to date with developments in nursing practice, maintaining professional knowledge and attending essential in-service training programmes.
• Ensure that all nursing practice is based on current evidence, best practice and where available, validated research.
• Develop mechanisms for supporting staff in the development of their scope of practice.
• Encourage a learning environment, which facilitates appropriate education and training.
• Support staff through clinical supervision, reflecting on own role as an accountable practitioner

Working for our organisation

CHFT provides a supportive and inclusive workplace.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff health and well-being alongside providing a range of opportunities for personal and professional development.

We aim to build our workforce for the future and support home grown talent.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Co-ordinating Care:

• Provide a safe environment for staff and service users having due regard to legislative requirements.
• Act as an advocate for patients
• Contribute to a culture that recognises and works in partnership with service users and carers, involving them in all decisions.
• Maximise the effectiveness of the community nursing team, e.g. through skill mix, monthly duty rotas and training.
• Provide professional advice on all complaints and untoward occurrences as appropriate.
• Collaborates with team members to devise protocols, guidelines and policies appropriate to community nursing, seeking advice where necessary.
• Working and co-ordinating care in a collaborative manner with other health care professionals and agencies.
• ‘Recognises and respects the role of patients and clients as partners in care and the contribution they can make to it’ (NMC 2002)
• Ensure that adequate and accurate documentation and records are maintained in accordance with NMC standards for record keeping.
• Develop systems that ensure continuity of care.
• Appropriately manage highly distressing situations.

Delivery of Care:

• Contribute to the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care by completing patient held records.
• Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self-care and empowerment
• Be aware of health and safety issues regarding the frequent handling/exposure of bodily fluids when caring for clients. (Taking blood/urine samples etc)
• Ensure own continuous professional development
• Identify and use opportunities to continually develop clinical expertise.
• Ensure best practice when doing procedures e.g. Doppler studies, catheterisation, changing tracheotomy tubes, syringe drivers etc.
• Provide a safe environment for staff and service users having due regard to legislative requirements.
• Contributes to the equity of care for all individuals.
• Assist qualified staff in the delivery of planned packages of care, working to evidence based care plans.
• Assist in the delivery of unscheduled, unpredictable episodes of care on a regular basis, with appropriate use of initiative.
• Instigate emergency procedures where appropriate.
• Undertakes delegated care without direct supervision where appropriate. This may require the use of observational / analytical skills to monitor the health and wellbeing of clients.
• Observe a personal duty of care when using equipment, ensuring own safety and that of others.
• Contributes to the management of aggressive/abusive behaviour
• Participates in the ongoing support of clients and their carers / relatives.
• Work in a collaborative manner with other healthcare professionals and agencies to deliver a high standard of care.
• Participate in the delivery of care of terminally ill / chronically ill clients and their carers / relatives using tact and diplomacy.
• Be aware of the health and safety issues regarding the handling/exposure to bodily fluids when caring for clients.
• Contributes to the promotion of Health and well being, encouraging people to view their health as a positive aspect of their lives, through planned activities and shared decision making.

Professional Duties

Effective Communication:

• Impart knowledge, plans and instructions clearly and effectively.
• Effectively communicate with key stakeholders.
• Establish clear lines of communication at all levels.
• Express ideas clearly through oral and written presentations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of channels of communication.
• Vary the style and content of communication to ensure understanding of individuals at all levels. Organise and conduct meetings that have a clear purpose and outcome.
• Foster good relationships with other departments and agencies to enhance multi – disciplinary working.
• Communicates sometimes complex information that is both factual and relevant to patients and carers, using sensitivity and tact.
• Impart knowledge plans and instructions clearly and effectively
• Establish clear lines of communication at all levels
• Communicate relevant and factual information to patients and carers, using sensitivity and tact.
• Contributes to the understanding of patients where there are communication difficulties.
• Maintain patient and professional confidentiality at all times.
• Report any change to patient’s condition to appropriate qualified member of the team at earliest opportunity.
• Attend and contribute to meetings held by the team and the Trust.

Managing Information:

• Use appropriate information to make timely and effective decisions in relation to the community nursing team.
• Proactively provide information in a form that meets the understanding of the receiver.
• Input relevant information (Home visits, tests ordered and prescriptions written) onto CHFT computer system for other members of the CHFT to use.
• Disseminate information in an appropriate and meaningful manner
• Understand and abide by relevant legislation, educating others in its implications.
• Contributing to the development of information systems.
• Interpreting and critically analysing data to support the decision making process.
• Use of both oral and written information that facilitates
• Use appropriate information to make timely and effective decisions in relation to the community nursing team.
• Contribute to the development of information systems.
• Obtains transmits and stores information relating to the delivery of care services (this may involve auditing)
• Participate in the use of information and technology including inputting data on the computer system enabling other members of the team to use.
• Provide information in a form that meets the understanding of the receiver at all levels.
• Use of oral, written and computerized information that facilitates continuity of patient care throughout the 24 hour period.
• Completes documentation in accordance with Trust’s policies and procedures.

Additional Requirements:

• Participate in clinical supervision
• Participate in research / clinical trials as required
• Maintain their professional registration with the NMC
• Adhere to the statutory NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• Adhere to all CHFT policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
• Assist with the educational development of basic and post basic students.
• Work as a member of the primary health care team and facilitate a holistic approach to care.
• Audit work to aid measuring performance.
• Be physically fit enough to assist in the movement and handling of unconscious/disabled clients.
• To take responsibility for identifying risks and taking action to control them as appropriate to the post
• At all times follow policies and guidelines of the Trust (and be mindful of those of other health care providers if on their premises) to negate the spread of infection to patients, staff and visitors.
• All employees have a duty for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staff must be aware of the CHFT procedure for raising concerns about the welfare of anyone with whom they have contact

Managerial Duties

Managing Human Resources:

• Create, maintain and enhance professional relationships.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
• Contribute to leading and managing the performance of teams and individuals to achieve both team and organisational goals.
• Recognise and utilise the skills and knowledge of individuals.
• Coach others in their development and act as a mentor/preceptor
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse.
• Ensure professional development of staff/team members by appraising on an annual basis.
• Deal with grievance and disciplinary matters in an appropriate manner, following trust guidelines.

Leadership Support:

• Lead the implementation of CHFT strategies as appropriate to community nursing
• Balance staffing resources to match activity levels.
• Monitor and control the use of resources through effective systems of stock control. Needles, syringes, dressings, catheter equipment etc.
• Recognising opportunities to facilitate innovation.
• Recommend improvements to services, recognising potential costs and benefits
• Manage change, consulting with appropriate personnel.
• Facilitate the effective planning and delivery of primary health care services.
• Prioritise often unpredictable work and manage time effectively.
• Enabling and empowering staff.
• Take responsibility to recognise potential risks and develop strategies to minimise them.
• Ensure full compliance with routine and urgent work streams, cross-cover for other District Nurse Community team managers. Work as a cohesive team within the locality and organisation.
• Collaboratively work alongside all colleagues within the organisation, acute trusts, commissioners, primary care teams and local authority colleagues.

Managing Self

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
• Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.
• Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• Specialist Practitioner Qualification (District Nursing) or working towards
• Registered Nurse
• Qualification in teaching and assessing
• Evidence of continuing personal and professional development with up to date CPD portfolio

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Ability to manage conflict and influence and negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of MDT members within an integrated community care team
• Awareness of principles and ethos of the Trust
• Planning and organisation of self and others
• Effective communicator including negotiating, mentoring and advocacy skills
• Problem solving
• Commitment to developing self and others
• Presentation Skills
• Experience of resources/cost effectiveness/budget management.
• Evidence of introducing change and innovation
• Experience of dealing with clinical/non-clinical incidents, risk management, compliments and complaints

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Community nursing experience with extensive knowledge credibility in Community care
• Current knowledge of local, regional and national developments in Community Nursing
• Awareness of family / Patient centred care
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and its application to clinical practice
• Research and audit methodology
• Awareness of the effects of chronic illness on client and family

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on theCheck if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We encourage all applicants to review these criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

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.

At Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, we are excited to offer a range of volunteering roles, providing rewarding personal and professional opportunities for people from all backgrounds across a wide age range from our local communities, ensuring our volunteers are representative of our service users.