About this role
Job summary
The post holder will provide specialist wound care within the Maxillofacial Outpatient Department, acting as a key point of contact for patients and staff. They will assess, manage, and treat a range of acute and chronic postoperative wounds, using advanced clinical skills to support safe, effective healing and prevent deterioration. Responsibilities include delivering evidencebased care, coordinating the dressing clinic to ensure timely reviews and continuity, and escalating complex wounds appropriately. The role also involves carrying out specialist wound interventions within scope and competency.
The post holder will support the Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist with administrative and clinical tasks such as MDT preparation and histology tracking. They will also act as a clinic chaperone, with supported opportunities to develop further clinical skills in line with service needs. They will contribute to highquality patient experience and provide effective clinical and managerial leadership in the absence of the Lead Dental Nurse.
The role is primarily based at Musgrove Park Hospital, with flexibility to support peripheral clinics. Usual working hours are Monday--Friday, 08:00--18:00.
Informal visits/chats always welcome - contact us today to discuss the position in more detail or organise for you to come and visit!
Alice Fenner (Countywide Lead Dental Nurse) -- [email protected]
Olivia Archer (Surgical Matron) -- [email protected]
Main duties of the job
Deliver evidence based, patient centred care and develop practical skills aligned with the speciality.
Run and coordinate own dressing clinic, ensuring timely reviews, continuity of care and safe escalation of complex wounds.
Work closely with Maxillofacial consultants and the Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist for clinical support, guidance and oversight.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers and colleagues; explain treatment plans clearly and act as a patient advocate.
Uphold standards of consent, capacity, documentation and maintain accurate clinical records.
Provide advice and support to HCAs, dental nurses and new staff, contributing to MDT working and service development.
Assess and plan outpatient care, liaise with the wider team on ongoing wound needs, and support audit, governance and improvement activity.
Evaluate treatment plans, escalate concerns, report incidents and contribute to delivery of key performance indicators.
Work within scope of practice, encourage patient independence and support the use of advanced wound therapies.
Comply with Trust policies, maintain equipment and clinical areas, and work costeffectively.
Use electronic patient record systems confidently and manage routine administrative tasks.
Experienced Band 5 staff will provide clinical and managerial leadership when senior colleagues are absent.
Support junior staff and maintain own competency.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
To carry out this role successfully the post holder needs to be fully aware of and adhere to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's values.
Kindness
Respect
Teamwork
Everyone, Every day.
Job description Job responsibilities For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered General Nurse Understanding of record keeping Understanding of evidence-based practice Experience managing complex wounds Sound experience at staff nurse level Ability to teach/supervise junior staff Act as a role model Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills, both verbal and written Ability to deal with occasional distressing or emotional circumstances in a calm and professional manner Good interpersonal and team working skills Ability to prioritise own workload and to keep deadlines with minimal supervision Ability to work under pressure Capable of managing the physical demands of providing direct wound care in an outpatients setting Ability to spend periods of time sitting to use a VDU / Keyboard Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients Willingness to extend skills Access to transport to travel in connection with the post e.g. to attend meetings or training events across the county
Desirable
Evidence of relevant post graduate specialist training -- short course at diploma or above level Audit skills Understanding of Clinical Governance principles Understanding of resource management Ability to use specialist wound therapies appropriate to Head and Neck specialism, such as BTM and Integra; and/or willingness to extend skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)