About this role
Job summary
The Acute Pain Service provides specialist clinical leadership and support to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based pain management across inpatient areas.
The service supports the assessment, monitoring, and optimisation of pain management for patients with complex needs, including post-operative, acutely unwell, and high-risk patients. It provides expert guidance on analgesia prescribing, including opioid stewardship, regional techniques, and multimodal pain management approaches.
The team works collaboratively with medical, nursing, and multidisciplinary teams to:
Improve consistency and safety of pain management Support early recognition of complications related to analgesia Facilitate timely recovery, mobilisation, and discharge Deliver education and competency development for ward staff The service plays a key role in improving patient experience, reducing variation in care, and supporting delivery of safe, high-quality clinical outcomes in line with national standards and Trust priorities.
PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.
Main duties of the job Provide specialist clinical assessment and management of patients with acute and complex pain across inpatient areasDeliver expert advice on analgesia prescribing, including opioid stewardship, regional techniques, and multimodal pain managementSupport early identification and management of complications related to pain and analgesia (e.g. over-sedation, respiratory compromise)Work collaboratively with medical, nursing and MDT teams to optimise patient recovery, mobilisation, and dischargeDevelop and embed evidence-based pain management protocols, guidelines, and pathwaysLead on education and training to improve staff competence and confidence in pain assessment and managementContribute to patient safety improvement, reducing variation in care and preventable harmParticipate in audit, quality improvement, and governance processes, including incident review and learningSupport delivery of key organisational priorities, including patient flow, reduced length of stay, and improved patient experience
Act as a clinical expert and resource for pain management across the Trust Provide specialist advice and support to MDT colleagues, reducing variation in care Promote a culture of safe, personalised, patient-centred care Support escalation and clinical decision-making for complex patients Deliver education and training to ward staff to improve pain management competence
About us
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.
A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will deliver expert, evidence-based acute pain management across inpatient services, providing specialist assessment, intervention and ongoing review for patients with complex pain needs.
Working autonomously and as part of the multidisciplinary team, the role will lead on safe, effective and consistent pain management practice, supporting improved patient outcomes, experience and recovery.
The post holder will act as a visible clinical leader, providing specialist advice, supporting staff education, and contributing to service development, quality improvement, and governance to ensure delivery of high-quality care in line with Trust and national standards.
Clinical Practice Deliver specialist assessment, planning and management of patients with acute and complex pain Manage a defined caseload autonomously, including referral triage and prioritisation Undertake advanced assessments and implement appropriate pain management interventions (e.g. PCA, epidural, infusions) Lead or participate in acute pain ward rounds and multidisciplinary reviews Ensure safe and effective prescribing and medicines management (including controlled drugs where applicable)
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
RN with current NMC registration Teaching and assessing qualification Degree qualification / relevant experience Evidence of continuing professional development Relevant Postgraduate qualification or working towards (e.g. pain management, advanced practice, clinical assessment) Non-Medical Prescribing qualification Recognised pain management course / module - Or working towards
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Significant post-registration experience in acute hospital setting Experience managing patients with complex pain needs Experience of intravenous therapies and controlled drug administration Evidence of contributing to audit, QI or service improvement Demonstrable experience managing a specialist caseload autonomously Experience leading clinical practice change or service development Experience in delivering education and competency assessment Experience contributing to policy or guideline development
Desirable
Experience in acute pain services / anaesthetics Experience in managing acute-on-chronic pain Experience supporting enhanced recovery pathway
Key Competencies Essential
knowledge of: o Acute pain physiology and management strategies o Analgesic pharmacology (including opioids) o PCA, epidurals, and IV infusions Ability to Undertake patient assessment and contribute to care planning o Recognise and escalate clinical deterioration appropriately o Provide advice to patients and ward teams Advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills Management of complex analgesia modalities (PCA, epidurals, infusions) Work autonomously and lead complex clinical decision making Provide expert advice across the Trust Influence clinical practice and reduce variation in care
Desirable
Acute-on-chronic pain management Knowledge of national guidance (e.g. NICE, Faculty of Pain Medicine, RCoA) Awareness of opioid stewardship and harm reduction strategies
Skills and Aptitudes Essential
Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses and areas for development Evidence of continuing practice development Understanding of issues affecting the NHS and clinical care. Professional, approachable and compassionate manner Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Flexibility Essential
Flexible and positive attitude to healthcare and ability to work flexibly in order to meet the needs of the service Adaptability and ability to cope with uncertainty
Other Essential
Understanding of clinical governance Participation in audit, incident reporting and improvement initiatives Experience leading audit cycles and implementing change Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) Ability to communicate complex information sensitively to patients and families Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
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 Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Address walsall Healthcare NHS Trust- Manor
Moat Road
Walsall
WS2 9PS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)