About this role
Job summary
This role plays a pivotal part within the Liver Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) service, providing specialist support for patients presenting with, or at risk of, acute alcohol withdrawal and alcohol-related liver disease. Working under the guidance of the Liver CNS team, the post holder delivers timely assessment, treatment planning, education, and ongoing support to ensure safe, evidence-based care throughout the patient's hospital journey.
The role acts as a key link between acute hospital services, community providers, and external support agencies, helping to develop personalised care pathways that improve patient outcomes, enhance the patient experience, and reduce avoidable admissions and readmissions. By ensuring patients and their families receive appropriate information, signposting, and onward referrals, the post holder contributes to a more coordinated and sustainable approach to managing alcohol-related harm and liver disease.
In addition to direct patient care, the role supports service development initiatives, promotes best practice across multidisciplinary teams, and contributes to the education and training of nursing staff, learners, and support workers. As the service evolves, the post holder may also develop specialist competencies within hepatology services, including Fibroscan assessment and independent clinic activity, further strengthening the Trust's capacity to deliver high-quality liver care.
Main duties of the job
The primary purpose of the role is to improve the identification, assessment, and management of patients affected by alcohol withdrawal and alcohol-related liver disease, ensuring a coordinated and patient-centred approach to care. The post holder will work collaboratively with the Liver CNS team, acute clinical services, community providers, and external agencies to deliver seamless care pathways that support recovery, improve patient experience, and promote long-term health outcomes.
Alongside direct clinical responsibilities, the post holder will contribute to the development of specialist liver services through education, service improvement activities, and the adoption of evidence-based practice. By supporting patients, families, and healthcare professionals, the role will help strengthen the Trust's capability to deliver high-quality hepatology and alcohol care while reducing healthcare inequalities, unnecessary admissions, and repeat presentations.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualififications
Essential
- NMC Registration
- BLS trained
- Preparation for mentorship course or equivalent
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience working within a Gastro / Hepatology inpatient area
- Experience working with patients with drug and alcohol use/addictions
- Experience assessing acute alcohol withdrawal
- Willingness to share knowledge
- Demonstrates awareness of the 6C's, Trust values and Patients First Service Standards
- Knowledge of the Data Protection Act
Desirable
- Teaching / Presenting
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Proficient IT skills
- Communicates clearly in writing, verbally and using the telephone
- Accurate with attention to detail
- Proficient in accurate, objective documentation
- Proficient with E-Care
- Time management skills
Personal qualities
Essential
- Expert role model
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to show Initiative and drive
- Flexible approach to working duties
- Awareness of own limitations
- Polite, respectful and professional attitude and behaviours towards staff members, patients and relatives
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
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)