Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced nurse to join the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)/gastroenterology nursing team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).  The post is an integral part of the gastroenterology multidisciplinary team for patients with IBD and coeliac disease. The IBD team provides a high quality service, supporting over 6500 adult IBD patients. 

You will be joining an established team of 5 Gastroenterology/IBD and Biologics Clinical Nurse Specialists. The role will involve assessing, reviewing and managing patients with both IBD and Coeliac disease. The service provides rapid access to specialist advice via a telephone support line and digital platforms. You will have the opportunity to support newly diagnosed patients as well as managing patients with an established diagnosis through patient initiated follow up and virtual clinic. 

The service operates Monday to Friday and working hours are mainly within core hours.

This is a challenging and rewarding role where there will be opportunities to develop both personally and professionally within the role, with access to training and education to improve knowledge and skills within the specialist field.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service. 

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Gastroenterology clinical nurse specialist you will:-

- Support patients with IBD and coeliac disease throughout the journey from diagnosis to long term management. 

- Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, families and other healthcare professionals. 

- Manage patients both remotely via the telephone helpline, My Medical Record messaging service and face to face reviews following endoscopy procedures. 

-  Communicate with patients in ways that empower them through shared decision-making to make informed choices about their health  including medication management and patient self management.

- Participate in patient engagement meetings, patient awareness/open days, staff teaching and MDT meetings.

This is a challenging and rewarding role where full support will be given to develop new skills both clinically and professionally.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- Be adaptable, confident and highly motivated, prioritising a combination of diverse demands on your time. 

- You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to network across organisational and professional boundaries. Previous experience within the field of gastroenterology/IBD is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.

- Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to work autonomously within the multidisciplinary team.

- You will have a proven track record in acute care and be able to demonstrate effective leadership/managerial skills to enable you to prioritise and deliver agreed objectives within the service.

If you have a strong focus on patient care, proven leadership skills and are able to work inter-professionally then we are keen for you to join our team. Informal visits or telephone inquiries are encouraged.

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.
• Confident of own knowledge base, aware of learning needs and seeks guidance when appropriate.
• Able to critically review and communicate clinical information.

Desirable criteria

• Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Counselling qualification
• Palliative care course
• IT training
• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.
• Interest in nurse –led care.
• Organisational/strategic awareness.
• Clear about professional accountability and autonomous practice components of role.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.