Diabetes Specialist Nurse Coventry

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Diabetes Specialist Nurse to join the Diabetes Team at UHCW. This is a unique split-site role, with 50% of the post based within the hospital and 50% delivering care in the community, providing the opportunity to support patients across a range of clinical settings. The successful candidate will have specialist knowledge and expertise in the management of diabetes and will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

The role has a strong clinical, educational, and advisory focus, providing specialist support to people living with diabetes and their carers, while also delivering education and training to healthcare professionals to promote best practice. Working both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to the delivery of evidence-based diabetes services, supporting the achievement of national standards and local service objectives. Excellent communication, clinical decision-making, and organisational skills are essential to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate care across both hospital and community settings. A full UK driving license is essential for this role.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main Duties of the Job

• A Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) is responsible for providing expert care and support to individuals living with diabetes, helping them manage their condition effectively and reduce the risk of complications.
• Their role includes assessing patients' health needs, developing and reviewing individualised care plans, educating patients and their families on blood glucose monitoring, medication administration, insulin therapy, healthy eating and lifestyle management.
• They work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to optimise treatment, monitor clinical outcomes and adjust care based on patients' changing needs.
• Diabetes Specialist Nurses also provide advice to other healthcare professionals, support the implementation of evidence-based practice and promote self-management by empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care.

About Us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation. By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care.

We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job Responsibilities

• Accountable for own actions in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
• Will contribute to corporate objectives, acting within local, trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times.
• Act as a role model to nursing staff by delivering high quality care.
• To manage and organise a specific caseload of patients and prioritise referrals.
• To accept referrals from other health disciplines and refer patients to health professionals independently.
• To assist patients to achieve individualised goals of diabetes management to maintain their physical wellbeing.
• To advise medical and nursing staff on the most appropriate treatment for their patient based on clinical assessment and clearly defined policies and protocols.
• To convert patients to insulin therapy on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
• To advise patients on adjustment of their oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin treatment to optimise control of their diabetes.
• To select, carry out and interpret the results of specific tests and take appropriate action.
• To assist in the strategic planning of services within the diabetes unit providing specialist advice for future services.
• To help develop and update existing guidelines and protocols within the diabetes service.
• To identify training needs and develop training programmes for all grades of staff.
• To participate in the development of suitable materials to facilitate the education of staff and patients.
• To be up to date in technological advances and techniques for equipment used by patients for insulin therapy and glucose monitoring.
• To be innovative in the use of treatment regimes.
• To attend meetings and represent the diabetes team.
• To participate in MDT meetings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Study at Level 6 (degree/diploma) Nursing Degree or equivalent. Current Professional Registration. Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Desirable: Post registration validated course in diabetes. Counselling course/module. Advanced health assessment. Non-Medical Prescribing qualification. Teaching and assessing qualification.

Experience

• Essential: Professional clinical experience in Diabetes speciality. Ability to successfully manage people and change. Highly developed communication skills.
• Desirable: Teaching experience. Experience of writing/producing patient information. Experience and evidence in research and audit.

Knowledge

• Essential: A knowledgeable clinician with the ability to apply evidence based practice. A sound knowledge of professional policies and procedures relating to diabetes.
• Desirable: Preceptorship of new staff.

Skills

• Essential: Good understanding of IT and technology. Excellent communication skills. Able to use initiative and make decisions. Analyses problems and implements effective and appropriate solutions. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines effectively. Good management of own and others time.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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.