Practice Nurse (Diabetes)

We are looking for a diabetes specialist nurse to join our friendly and forward-thinking team at Bridge Medical Centre in Three Bridges, Crawley. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with diabetes by providing specialist care, structured reviews, and expert guidance to help them manage their condition effectively.

As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you will assess, treat, and support patients, optimising treatment plans and empowering them with the knowledge to take control of their health. You will also contribute to service development, ensuring high standards of diabetes care within the practice.

We offer sociable working hours, a supportive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth, making this role ideal for an experienced nurse looking to advance their career in primary care. If you are passionate about diabetes care and want to be part of a dynamic and patient-focused practice, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This role involves delivering high-quality nursing care with a strong focus on diabetes management, chronic disease care, and patient education. You will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating individual treatment plans for patients with diabetes, including insulin initiation and medication reviews. You will provide highly specialised advice on complex diabetes management to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals, ensuring safe and effective treatment.

Key responsibilities include conducting NHS health checks, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, spirometry (optional), and general nursing responsibilities. You will also manage chronic disease conditions such as asthma, COPD, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. You will support IUD insertions, and provide contraception and sexual health advice.

A key aspect of this role is patient education, supporting individuals in self-managing their condition and promoting adherence to treatment plans. You will establish and maintain effective communication with patients, carers, and the wider healthcare team, acting as a resource for specialist diabetes advice.

You will be expected to maintain accurate patient records, participate in clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives, and contribute to the development and implementation of practice protocols and guidelines to enhance diabetes care and overall patient management.

About us

Bridge Medical Centre is a well-established and dynamic practice based in Three Bridges, Crawley. Our team consists of three GP partners, two physician associates, two salaried GPs, four paramedic practitioners, and a dedicated nursing team of four, supported by a highly efficient administrative team.

As part of the Crawley Care Collaborative PCN and a member of the Alliance for Better Care Federation, we work closely with a range of additional roles, including clinical pharmacists, mental health practitioners, and care coordinators. Our clinicians balance independent practice with a strong collaborative approach, ensuring seamless integration of care across the practice and the wider network.

We pride ourselves on fostering a positive and supportive working environment, where teamwork and professional development are encouraged. We are a sociable practice that values our teams hard work and achievements, regularly coming together to celebrate our successes.

Job responsibilities

Job Description Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Responsible to: The diabetes specialist nurse is responsible to the partners for clinical matters and to the practice manager for non-clinical matters.

Purpose of the Role

The role involves delivering high-quality nursing care with a strong focus on diabetes management, chronic disease care, and patient education. The postholder will provide structured diabetes reviews, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individual treatment plans, and offer expert guidance to optimise patient care.

The role also includes working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure a proactive, patient-centred approach to diabetes management, focusing on prevention, treatment optimisation, and self-management support.

Scope of the Role

• Perform clinical assessments, initiate and adjust diabetes treatments, and provide structured education to empower patients.
• Conduct chronic disease management clinics, including insulin initiation, medication reviews, and ongoing monitoring.
• Act as a resource for patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, offering highly specialised advice on diabetes management.
• Ensure adherence to national guidelines and local protocols in all aspects of diabetes care.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and written patient records.
• Participate in clinical audits and contribute to quality improvement initiatives related to diabetes management.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care and Clinical Duties

• Conduct comprehensive diabetes care, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term condition management.
• Perform NHS health checks, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, spirometry (Optional), and pathology sampling.
• Provide wound care, ulcer management, and routine immunisations, including flu, pneumococcal, and pertussis vaccinations.
• Offer lifestyle and preventative health advice, including smoking cessation, weight management, and dietary education.
• Deliver structured patient education on diabetes self‑management and treatment adherence.
• Assist with minor surgical procedures, including joint injections and IUD insertions.
• Ensure safe medication administration in accordance with clinical guidelines and written medical authorisation.

Chronic Disease Management

• Lead on diabetes management, including insulin initiation, medication optimisation, and individualised care planning.
• Manage other chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease as part of QOF activities.
• Monitor disease progression and adjust care plans accordingly, ensuring holistic, patient‑centred care.
• Provide contraception and sexual health advice and refer patients as appropriate.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with GPs, practice nurses, paramedic practitioners, and clinical pharmacists to provide integrated care.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, carers, and external healthcare professionals.
• Offer specialist advice and training to colleagues on diabetes management.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and case discussions.

Clinical Governance and Record‑Keeping

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate, and contemporaneous patient records in accordance with practice policies.
• Ensure compliance with infection control, health and safety, and safeguarding procedures.
• Participate in clinical audits, peer reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of practice protocols and guidelines.

Professional Development and Training

• Keep up to date with national guidelines and best practices in diabetes care.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, including attending relevant training sessions and maintaining a personal development portfolio.
• Participate in staff appraisals and clinical supervision.
• Support and mentor junior nursing staff as required.

Confidentiality and Equality

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient and practice information in line with the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
• Comply with the practice’s equality and diversity policies, ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Sociable working hours with a focus on work‑life balance.
• A supportive and friendly working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• A multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

If you are passionate about diabetes management and looking for an opportunity to develop your career in primary care, we would love to hear from you.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Practice Nurse
• NMC
• Experience of working in general Practice
• Experience of QOF

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.