About this role
Job summary
Are you a Registered Nurse looking to take the next step in your career within District Nursing? Do you have at least two years of recent experience within a district nursing service and a passion for delivering high-quality community care? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Warrington District Nursing Service as a Senior Community Staff Nurse.
We are seeking committed and skilled nurses with proven district nursing experience, including areas such as palliative and end-of-life care, wound management, and catheter care. In this role, you will be responsible for managing a cohort of higher-acuity and complex patients, under the guidance of the Team Leader (caseload holder), demonstrating clinical confidence and sound professional judgement.
The successful candidate will bring excellent communication skills, strong clinical reasoning, and the ability to prioritise and manage their own workload effectively. You will be expected to carry out comprehensive holistic assessments, develop and lead on personalised plans of care, and provide support, guidance, and mentorship to junior colleagues within the service. Your contribution will play a vital role in ensuring safe, compassionate, and responsive care for our patients across the Warrington community.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide advanced expertise and strong leadership within the District Nursing Team, working alongside the Team Leader to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. They will demonstrate an in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of a wide range of conditions and will be proficient in core district nursing skills, including tissue viability, palliative and end-of-life care, and diabetes management. Using specialist assessment abilities and diagnostic reasoning, they will interpret complex clinical presentations, make sound judgements, and implement evidence-based interventions tailored to the needs of patients with higher acuity and complex conditions. They will plan, deliver, and evaluate holistic programmes of care, maintaining accurate records and ensuring practice reflects current evidence, NMC standards, and professional codes.
In their leadership role, the post holder will act as a visible role model, supporting effective communication across the team, promoting a culture of compassion, professionalism, equality, and openness, and deputising for the Team Leader when required. They will help coordinate the teams workload, support decision-making in challenging or urgent situations, and provide guidance, supervision, and mentorship to junior staff, students, and new starters.
About us
Flexible working will be considered for all roles.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.
Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.
Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).
They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.
Our mission
We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other
Our vision
We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn
Our values
Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all One team: We work well together and with our communities
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will work as a senior member of the District Nursing Team collaborating with the Team Leader (caseload holder) and support the provision of clinical leadership within the team. A key feature of the role is to support the proactive management of patients with complex or higher acuity conditions on the District Nursing Caseload. This will include collaborating with other members of the multi-disciplinary team involved in the patients care to establish a person-centred approach to management of health/social care needs, that also promotes self-management.
The post holder will be responsible for an identified cohort of patients with higher acuity needs within District Nursing Team caseload as identified by the District Nurse Team Leader. They will use extended clinical skills and expert knowledge to assess the physical and psycho social needs of a defined patient group, instigating therapeutic treatments based on best available evidence in order to improve health outcomes. In doing so, they will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient centred programmes of care ensuring that they practice within their sphere of competence and knowledge. The post holder will work to professional and NMC codes, standards and guidance at all times ensuring that their practice is based on the most up to date evidence-based theory and practical knowledge. They will be responsible for developing new and innovative clinical practices responding to emerging knowledge and techniques and working with the District Nurse Coordinator, Team Leader and other, services, where appropriate to make improvements.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Clinical
1.1. Demonstrates a detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of common aetiologies, pathologies, conditions, and presentations involving a critical understanding of theories and principles.
1.2. Be proficient in core skills required to deliver care within a district nursing service such as tissue viability, palliative/end of life care, diabetes management.
1.3. Demonstrate innovative and specialist skills required for assessment and interpretation of complex patient conditions and determining the appropriate course of action.
1.4. Select methods and tools to holistically assess, plan, implement and evaluate in a complex patient condition.
1.5. Analyse and act appropriately in complex situation and escalate wherever applicable e.g., to District Nurse Coordinator, Team leader, Safeguarding Lead, GP.
1.6. Make judgements on complex facts requiring interpretation and comparing treatment/management options ensuring clinical reasoning is reflected accurately in case records.
1.7. Aim to promote community care delivered at home, thus preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital and reduction in length of hospital in-patient stays.
1.8. Engage and actively involve 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 involvement and empowerment
1.9. Works to standards of proficiency identified by their professional and regulatory bodies performing clinical treatments/procedures to a competent standard.
1.10. Prioritises their own workload and support the Team Leader with allocation and workload management of the wider team, within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.
1.11. Provide and receive complex, sensitive, or contentious information where motivational, persuasive, empathetic, negotiating and reassurance skills are required whilst demonstrating an understanding of barriers to communication.
1.12. Approach each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all areas of practice including the management of any complaints and compliments.
1.13. To comply with the organisations Infection Prevention and Control requirements, including bare below the elbows dress code for staff with a direct care delivery role
2. Leadership
2.1. Deputise for the Team Leader at internal and external meetings when required.
2.2. Support the Team Leader in developing effective lines of communication that ensures that the team are aware of the Trusts strategic direction and local business plan objectives and performance targets.
2.3. Ensures that a professional service and image is maintained at all times, thereby acting as a role model to all staff promoting a positive image of community nursing.
2.4. Provides a leadership style which is underpinned by strongly held values around equality, diversity, and openness; effectively builds and maintains relationships with the wider team, management teams and other key individuals across the organisation.
2.5. Provide an educational role for patients, carers, and new team members.
2.6. Demonstrates the ability to delegate, organise and prioritise workload to ensure the safe delivery of care to an identified cohort of patients including the management of referrals and discharges using locally agreed support mechanisms e.g., on call manager and making judgements in complex situations.
2.7. Demonstrates clinical leadership, initiative, and creativity in identifying and supporting projects inspiring others to be positive in their contribution to continuous improvement.
2.8. Demonstrates resilience when responding to challenge, change and complex or difficult situations.
2.9. Ensures that all objectives, for self and those directly supervised by the post holder, are clearly defined within the wider Directorate framework and in line with Trusts objectives, using the appraisal process as a vehicle for this.
2.10. Takes responsibility for their own and others health and safety in the working environment.
2.11. To support the Team Leader in the management of higher acuity patients and leading on the assessment care planning and ongoing management of an identified cohort of patients.
2.12. Collaborate with primary care, secondary care and social services and other colleagues to plan and implement treatment as required.
3. Learning and Development
3.1. Undertakes any training required to develop and maintain their proficiency in response to changes in service delivery or new and emerging techniques and demonstrate competence within professional body requirements.
3.2. Reflects on and evaluates own practice and identifies areas of development by setting appropriate objectives via appraisal and clinical supervision.
3.3. Conducts research projects, or other research and development activity, appropriate to clinical area.
3.4. Undertakes supervision and is responsible for teaching and training both inside and outside work area.
3.5. Supporting the Team leaders with the learning and development of others including students and preceptees providing supervision and mentorship to junior staff.
3.6. Support the Team Leader in reporting and investigating complaints and incidents.
4. Partnership and Team Working
4.1. Actively develops and maintains effective clinical and corporate working relationships both within and outside the Trust.4.2. Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships to improve and develop service delivery.
4.3. Actively contributes to the multi-disciplinary team supporting the patient including communication with external care providers, voluntary support services and other agencies; acting as a credible source of information for other agencies/professionals involved in the care as required.
5. Innovation and Quality
5.1. Implements, monitors, and maintains agreed standards of care, reporting to the Team Leader/District Nurse Coordinator when standards are not met.
5.2. Implements policies relevant to service area and supports the Team Leader to ensure team members are aware of policy requirements.
5.3. Identifies areas for improvement within own team and proactively addresses these with the support of the Team Leader/District Nurse Coordinator within the overall organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives reflecting the changing needs of the population, local and national initiatives.
5.4. Actively works to continually improve the quality of own service area within the overall organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives e.g., through audit or suggesting changes to practice.
5.5. Contributes to and undertakes clinical audit.
5.6. Works with District Nurse Coordinators, Team Leaders, and other key colleagues to identify, manage and minimise risks within the overall organisational risk management frameworks. This includes understanding and applying knowledge of clinical role in safeguarding and an active involvement in incident management processes.
5.7. Acts as an advocate for patients and their families/carers recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other services / agencies as required.
5.8. Ensures that patient experience is core to all clinical care delivered and gaining support from the appropriate corporate teams as required.
5.9. Actively ensures completion of required data in a timely manner to meet the Quality Framework requirements, outcome measures and best practice standards in order to deliver an effective, high-quality service.
Please see attached Full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience in the clinical field or a closely related clinical area as part of a wider multidisciplinary team-Demonstrable Experience. Experience in supervising and delegating to other members of staff. Experience of clinical leadership skills e.g., leading/supervising junior staff and students. Working in community setting.
Desirable
Working in primary care-based teams Experience of acting in an advocate/champion role
Attitude and Behaviour Essential
Displays care, compassion, sensitivity, and responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs. Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate appreciating the value of diversity in the workplace. Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation and with patients and their careers. Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload managing unpredictable service demands. Positive and flexible attitude to dealing with change explore new ways of doing things and approaches. Able to respond to the changing needs of the patient in a proficient and timely manner. Demonstrates values consistent with those of the Trust. Ability and willingness to adopt a flexible approach to work on the occasions it may be required.
Relationships Essential
If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
Practical and Intellectual Skills Essential
Specialist assessment, planning and evaluation skills. Complex analytical and creative problem-solving skills in unpredictable situations Leadership skills and excellent decision-making capabilities. Competent IT skills in order to collect and interpret data, present reports, and compile simple presentations. Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex or potentially distressing information to patients / carers and managing conflict when appropriate. Risk assessment skills Reflective practice skills able to give clear and effective feedback. Able to research, understand and evaluate evidence in order to contribute to practice development
Desirable
Experience in research and/or clinical audit Workload management including delegation of tasks and day-to-day team leadership.
Knowledge and Understanding Essential
Detailed theoretical and clinical knowledge appropriate to District Nursing service Knowledge of relevant current issues in health and social care, ethics, and innovation Demonstrates awareness of limits to knowledge base
Desirable
Application of clinical governance and quality measures in practice
Right to Work Essential
Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK? If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)? Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse Post Graduate qualification in specialist field or working towards Evidence of proficiency in core skills required for delivery of care within a district nursing service such as, tissue viability, palliative care, diabetes management. Mentorship qualification / skills and/or experience or committed to undertaking appropriate mentorship programme. Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable
Mentorship qualification or equivalent Non-medical prescribing Formal qualifications in: Clinical examination Clinical Skills Tissue Viability Palliative Care Diabetes management Frailty
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)
Address Grappenhall Clinic
Springfield Avenue
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 2NW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)