Vascular Nurse Specialist

Mcht; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based in Crewe, is recruiting a Band 7 Vascular Specialist Nurse within a structured development pathway toward Advanced Clinical Practice. The role focuses on specialist assessment, care coordination and clinical leadership across vascular pathways.

The successful candidate will work with vascular surgeons and a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality, patient‑centred care and to progress toward senior clinical practice through postgraduate

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current professional registration.
• Relevant post‑registration clinical experience.
• Willingness to undertake further postgraduate/Master's level study as part of the agreed development pathway towards Advanced Clinical Practice
• V300 Prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake this as part of the development pathway

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and ongoing review of patients with arterial and venous disease.
• Develop advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning and treatment‑planning skills.
• Support nurse‑led vascular clinics and follow‑up care as competence allows.
• Promote patient education, self‑management and coordinated vascular care.

Skills

Vascular care

Clinical leadership

Advanced clinical practice

Teaching/mentoring

Education

Postgraduate study

Master's level study

Nursing qualification

Job description

Site Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Leighton Hospital Town Crewe Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Surgery and Cancer Division at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for an experienced and motivated nurse with a passion for vascular care to join our Vascular Specialist Nursing Service in a Band 7 developmental role.

We are particularly keen to hear from nurses with experience in vascular care who are ready to take the next step in their career. You do not need to be a fully qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to apply. We are looking for someone with strong clinical experience, enthusiasm for vascular nursing and the ambition and potential to develop towards advanced clinical practice.

The successful candidate will work closely with the vascular consultant team and wider multidisciplinary team, supporting the assessment, management and coordination of care for patients with complex vascular conditions across inpatient and outpatient pathways.

This post offers a structured development opportunity, supporting the successful candidate to build advanced clinical assessment, decision making, leadership and service improvement skills. There will also be opportunities to undertake relevant postgraduate and Master's-level development, supporting progression towards advanced clinical practice and the competencies required for the senior role.

Alongside clinical development, the postholder will contribute to service improvement, governance, audit, education and quality improvement, while helping us to further develop and strengthen our Vascular Specialist Nursing Service.

If you already have vascular nursing experience but feel you are not yet ready to apply for a traditional Band 8a ACP post, we would particularly encourage you to consider this opportunity. We are looking for the right individual with the experience, commitment and potential to develop, and we will support that development.

This is an excellent opportunity to build on your vascular expertise, develop your career and help shape the future of specialist vascular nursing within a supportive multidisciplinary service.

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to learn more about the role, we would warmly encourage you to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager before applying.

The recruiting manager and vascular consultant team are keen to engage with prospective applicants, discuss the role and its development opportunities, and answer any questions you may have. Our priority is to find the right person who is a good fit for the team and service, with the enthusiasm and potential to develop within the role.

We particularly welcome conversations with nurses who have vascular experience and an interest in developing their career, even if they do not yet meet all the requirements of advanced clinical practice. Please get in touch to explore whether this opportunity could be the right next step for you.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will work as a Band 7 Vascular Specialist Nurse within a structured development pathway towards advanced clinical practice, providing specialist nursing care, clinical leadership and support across the vascular pathway. The role will enable the successful candidate to build on existing vascular experience while developing the knowledge, skills and competencies required for increasingly autonomous advanced clinical practice.

Working closely with consultant vascular surgeons and the wider multidisciplinary team, the postholder will support the assessment, management and coordination of care for patients with vascular conditions across inpatient, outpatient and ambulatory settings. The level of clinical autonomy and responsibility will develop progressively in line with the postholder's competence, experience and agreed development plan.

The postholder will provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals and contribute to the delivery of coordinated, evidence based and patient centred vascular care.

A key element of this role is professional and clinical development. The successful candidate will be supported to develop advanced clinical assessment, clinical reasoning and decision making skills and, where appropriate to the agreed pathway, investigation and treatment planning competencies. Opportunities will be available to undertake relevant postgraduate and Master's level study to support progression towards advanced clinical practice.

The postholder will also contribute to clinical leadership, governance, audit, education, research and quality improvement, supporting the continued development of the Vascular Specialist Nursing Service and the wider vascular pathway.

We recognise that applicants may be at different stages of their professional development. The successful candidate is not expected to commence the role as a fully developed Advanced Clinical Practitioner. Instead, we are looking for an experienced vascular nurse with the clinical foundations, motivation and potential to develop through a supported and clearly defined pathway.

Working for our organisation

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.

Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area’s largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.

As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we’re reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

The postholder will work as a Band 7 Vascular Specialist Nurse within a structured development pathway towards Advanced Clinical Practice, providing specialist assessment, care, advice and support for patients with vascular conditions across inpatient, outpatient and ambulatory care settings.

The postholder will build on existing vascular knowledge and experience, developing advanced clinical assessment, clinical reasoning and decision making skills through an agreed competency-based development plan. Clinical autonomy and responsibility will increase progressively as the postholder demonstrates the required knowledge, competence, experience and qualifications.

Working closely with consultant vascular surgeons, the Vascular Specialist Nursing team and the wider multidisciplinary team, the postholder will contribute to the delivery of safe, evidence-based, coordinated and patient-centred vascular care.

The postholder will:

• Undertake specialist assessment and ongoing review of patients with arterial and venous disease, diabetic foot complications, vascular ulcers, aneurysm surveillance and post-operative vascular conditions, working within their level of competence and with appropriate clinical support and supervision.
• Develop advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning and treatment-planning skills as part of the agreed development pathway.
• Support and, as competence is achieved, progressively develop responsibility for nurse‑led vascular clinics, follow‑up clinics, surveillance programmes and urgent patient reviews.
• Develop competencies to request, interpret and act upon appropriate diagnostic investigations, including vascular imaging, pathology and physiological assessments, within agreed professional and organisational frameworks.
• Develop knowledge and competence in medicines management and treatment planning, with opportunities to undertake relevant prescribing education where this forms part of the agreed advanced practice development pathway.
• Provide specialist assessment and management for patients with complex vascular wounds, lower‑limb conditions and vascular deterioration, escalating appropriately to senior clinicians and vascular surgeons.
• Recognise the deteriorating vascular patient, initiate appropriate actions within their level of competence and coordinate timely escalation to the vascular consultant or other specialist teams.
• Provide specialist advice and clinical support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals involved in vascular pathways.
• Act as a key point of contact for vascular patients, promoting continuity and coordination of care across acute, community and specialist services.
• Participate in consultant‑led multidisciplinary team meetings, developing confidence and competence in presenting clinical cases and contributing to multidisciplinary decision‑making and treatment planning.
• Support safe admission, discharge and follow‑up planning, promoting effective communication across services.
• Promote patient education, self‑management and health promotion, enabling patients and carers to participate actively in decisions about their care.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous electronic patient records in accordance with professional and organisational standards.
• Contribute to the achievement of service priorities and the continued development and sustainability of specialist vascular nursing.

Leadership and Management

The postholder will provide clinical leadership appropriate to a Band 7 specialist nursing role, while developing the leadership capabilities required for future advanced practice.

The postholder will:

• Provide visible and compassionate clinical leadership within the vascular service and act as a positive professional role model.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and evaluation of nurse‑led vascular services to improve patient access, experience and outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, service improvement and pathway redesign in partnership with the vascular multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in quality improvement, clinical audit, service evaluation and governance activities.
• Contribute to the development and review of clinical guidelines, standard operating procedures and evidence‑based vascular pathways.
• Work collaboratively with consultant vascular surgeons, nursing colleagues, divisional teams and wider partners to support effective service delivery and workforce development.
• Support the induction, supervision, teaching and professional development of colleagues and learners, where appropriate.
• Contribute to the review of incidents, complaints and patient‑safety concerns, supporting learning and improvement within the service.
• Contribute to monitoring clinical activity, patient outcomes and service performance.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, compassionate leadership, multidisciplinary working and high‑quality patient care.
• Progressively develop greater clinical and professional leadership responsibilities as experience and advanced practice competencies are achieved.

Education and Professional Development

Professional development is a central component of this role. The successful candidate will be supported through an agreed development pathway designed to build specialist vascular expertise and progress towards advanced clinical practice.

The postholder will:

• Complete an agreed programme of specialty‑specific and advanced clinical practice competencies.
• Undertake relevant continuing professional development and reflective practice.
• Be supported to pursue appropriate postgraduate and Master's‑level education as part of the agreed development pathway towards Advanced Clinical Practice.
• Develop advanced assessment, clinical reasoning, decision‑making and leadership capabilities through supervised clinical practice, education and competency assessment.
• Develop teaching, mentoring and clinical supervision skills and contribute to the education of nursing colleagues, learners and members of the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in and contribute to vascular education for hospital and community healthcare professionals.
• Share specialist knowledge through teaching, case review, multidisciplinary discussion and clinical learning.
• Develop and maintain a professional portfolio demonstrating progression against agreed competencies and development objectives.
• Develop knowledge and experience across the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research as part of the developmental pathway.
• Maintain compliance with statutory, mandatory and professional training requirements.

The successful candidate is not expected to have completed all advanced clinical practice competencies or Master's‑level qualifications on appointment. The purpose of the role is to provide a structured and supported opportunity for an experienced nurse with vascular knowledge, aptitude and ambition to develop these capabilities.

Research, Audit and Quality Improvement

The postholder will contribute to an evidence based culture and support the ongoing improvement and development of vascular services.

The postholder will:

• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, research and quality improvement activities relating to vascular care.
• Contribute to evaluating clinical practice against relevant national guidance, recommendations and local quality standards.
• Support the development and use of appropriate outcome measures and clinical information to understand service performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in the presentation and sharing of audit, service evaluation and quality‑improvement outcomes where appropriate.
• Support research activity within the vascular service and contribute to implementing relevant evidence and learning into clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively with specialist nurses, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and multidisciplinary colleagues to share learning and promote consistent standards of vascular care.
• Contribute to the development and review of Trust policies, clinical guidelines and evidence‑based vascular pathways.
• Use clinical experience, patient feedback and service data to identify opportunities to improve patient safety, experience, efficiency and quality of care.
• Develop research, audit and quality‑improvement capabilities progressively as part of the pathway towards Advanced Clinical Practice.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current professional registration
• Relevant post‑registration clinical experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to vascular, surgical or specialist nursing practice.
• Commitment and willingness to undertake further postgraduate/Master's level study as part of the agreed development pathway towards Advanced Clinical Practice
• Willingness to complete relevant vascular specialty and advanced practice competencies
• Postgraduate qualification or modules relevant to vascular care, advanced clinical practice or a related specialty
• Evidence of study at Level 7/Master's level
• Teaching, mentorship or clinical supervision qualification/module
• V300 Independent/Supplementary Prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake this as part of the development pathway where required
• ALS or other relevant advanced clinical training

Experience

• Relevant experience caring for patients with vascular conditions and a demonstrable interest in vascular specialist nursing
• Experience of assessing, planning and coordinating care for patients with complex clinical needs
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Evidence of contributing to improvements in clinical practice, patient care or service delivery
• Evidence of professional development and readiness to progress into an advanced specialist role
• Experience working within a vascular specialist service
• Experience of nurse‑led clinics, vascular surveillance, wound management or other relevant vascular pathways
• Experience of leadership, acting up or coordinating a clinical service/team
• Experience of clinical audit, research or quality improvement
• Experience of teaching, mentoring or supporting the development of others
• Previous exposure to advanced clinical practice

Skills and Knowledge

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound clinical knowledge relevant to vascular patient care
• Ability to undertake comprehensive patient assessment and recognise clinical deterioration
• Ability to use clinical judgement and elevate appropriately within scope of practice
• Ability to manage and prioritise a varied clinical workload
• Ability to work both independently within agreed competence and scope of practice and collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team
• Evidence of compassionate, patient‑centred clinical practice
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals
• Enthusiasm and aptitude for developing advanced assessment, clinical reasoning and decision‑making skills
• Commitment to professional development and evidence‑based practice
• Ability to act as a positive role model
• Knowledge of advanced clinical assessment principles
• Knowledge of vascular pathways, national guidance and evidence‑based vascular care
• Experience of service development and pathway improvement
• Experience of developing policies, guidelines or clinical procedures
• Knowledge or experience of change management
• Quality improvement, audit or research skills
• Teaching, coaching or clinical supervision skills

Key Messages

We are a forces‑friendly employers.

Candidates should ensure that all submissions and interactions reflect the candidate’s own skills, experience, and understanding. Any use of AI that compromises the integrity, fairness, or authenticity of the recruitment process may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of offer, or dismissal if this these circumstances come to light post hire.

Candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are strongly advised to check the Government website for up‑to‑date information about whether the role they are applying for (incl. offered salary) is eligible.

Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process and we’ll be happy to discuss this with you.

We actively promote flexible working so please discuss any requirements you may have with us.

Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.

• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account.Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Appointments are subject to a 6‑month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3‑month probationary period.
• You are required to pay for a DBS disclosure where the post requires one, and we encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.

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.

Name Helen Nutkins Job title Divisional Head of Nursing Surgery and Cancer Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01270 273921 Additional information Helen Nutkins