Specialist Nurse within the Dermatology Acute /Community Services in North East

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Nurse within the Dermatology Acute /Community Services

The closing date is 30 September 2026

Workingas part of the Trust wide Dermatology multidisciplinary team at County Durhamand Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, the post holder will be involved inensuring that patients, relatives and staff have access to expert support andadvice when presenting with psoriasis, eczema, acne and other skin conditions.

With support from the multi-disciplinary team work towards becoming an autonomous clinical expert in assessing, planning and implementing and evaluating topical, systemic and Biologic treatments ensuring that any patient information and treatment providedis current and evidence based.

The post holder will act as the patients advocate supporting and advising the patient and other members of the Dermatology team.

The post holder will contribute to nursing policy and clinical service development within the Dermatology service undertaking audit when required.

To provide day to daysupervision of and leadership of junior members of staff within the service.

Main duties of the job

Workingwithin agreed parameters, local and national guidelines, the postholder will:

Provide Nurse led clinics for adult and paediatricpatients with a diagnosed Dermatology condition.

The post holder should be prepared to work and expandskills within the scope of practice appropriate to the client group, such as nurse prescribing.

Provide a Nurse led service, in the acute and communityservices settings and referring in to other appropriate services as required.

Participate in integrated skin outpatient clinics,providing specialist nursing skills to offer support and information topatients and patient education and appropriate treatment.

Act as an educational and supportive resource topatients and staff regarding the care, treatment and management of patientswith a diagnosis of Dermatology conditions.

Work in partnership with the multi professional team toenhance standards and best practice of care across the service and attend MDTs.The post requires liaison with professional colleagues in other disciplines andwith other statutory and voluntary organisations.

Undertake Holistic NeedsAssessments to ensure patients are fully engaged in their care

About us

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

Job responsibilities

Leadership/Management

To act as a clinical and professional role model for thenursing and wider multi professional team

To actively lead on and support the development of auditwithin the nursing team

To deputise for the Lead Nurse and carry out delegatedresponsibilities as agreed

Clinical

Co-ordinate patients care, investigations andtreatments to ensure patients receive appropriate planned care through the network pathways based on patient need whilst achieving cancer targets.

To act as a source of specialist nursing advice andsupport to patients and their families following a diagnosis of skin cancer.

Responsible for the assessment of patients presentingwith symptoms suggestive of disease progression as an independent practitionerand the development of specialist programs of care, providing advice andinformation in accordance guidelines and protocols.

Provide knowledge and advice on physiological andpsychological symptoms to minimise patient anxiety. Provide extensive supportand advice utilising advanced communication skills, particularly at times ofexposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.

To act as a patient advocate when appropriate, ensuringrespect for patient confidentiality, privacy and cultural/ethnic background. Toensure that these standards are met and maintained within the nursing team.

To contribute to the health education of patientsensuring they receive appropriate advice and support to maintain health.

To facilitate high quality, cost effective care throughthe use of audit, benchmarking and other quality initiatives as determined bythe Trust. To initiate changes identified by audit.

To supervise junior colleagues when required.

When trained and in accordance with national, Trust andlocally agreed policies and protocols provide nurse led skin surgery clinics.

When trained and in accordance with national, Trust andlocally agreed policies and protocols provide nurse led clinics for patientshaving systemic treatments for skin disease.

To actively participate in the clinical governance andclinical risk agenda within the directorate.

To attend wider departmental meetings.

To provide cover forcolleagues during periods of sick leave and planned leave.

To maintain accurate,contemporaneous records of all interventions, care and advice given, updatingclinical records in line with the Trusts policies and procedures.

To plan and prioritise ownworkload and manage time effectively, when working alone or in collaborationwith others. Where appropriate, delegate work effectively setting clearparameters of responsibility.

Identify and utilise anetwork of support services and contact to enable a high standard of care to begiven to patients.

Education, Training andCommunication

To establish and maintaineffective communication systems across Dermatology

To participate in Quality SurveillanceIndicators, clinical meetings and educational events.

To develop appropriatetraining and educational initiatives across acute and primary care staff asnecessary.

Through clinicalsupervision and performance review and develop your learning outcomes andcareer pathway

To ensure that ones ownprofessional development is kept up to date, in accordance with role andre-validation requirements.

Disseminate research andaudit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication.

Advise on protocol andpolicy development within the department, identify areas for improvement andinitiate change.

Toattend Professional Nurse Forums, to provide the opportunity to reflect onclinical issues with other senior/specialist nurses.rimary Care Clinicians.

Person Specification

Statutory Registration

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge acquired through degree or equivalent level of demonstrable professional knowledge
• Dermatology experience
• Non-medical prescribing
• Clinical skills
• Recognising deteriorating patients and red flags.
• Developing, implementing and evaluating care plans.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Evidence of Working Autonomously
• Leadership experience management of caseloads/delegating workload.
• Advanced dermatology knowledge.

Special Requirements

• Ability to work hours flexibly when service needs require.
• Ability to travel independently across sites to fulfil the requirements of the post
• Must hold a UK driving licence

Experience

• Experience working as a Nurse and working within a Dermatology setting / service

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.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearpro rata/ per annum