Band 8a- Diabetes Lead Nurse in Watford

The Herts Valleys Integrated Diabetes Service (HIDS) is a multi-provider partnership collaborative that aims to deliver a local integrated diabetes service for the registered adult patient population of South and West Hertfordshire. The Diabetes Specialist Nurse Lead will undertake the clinical leadership role in the delivery and development of services for diabetes across HIDS in the Acute Trust at West Hertfordshire teaching Hospitals and Community Settings at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. The post holder will act as a clinical nurse expert and exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy and make clinical judgements at the highest level to satisfy the expectations of the role. The post holder will be an expert practitioner in the field of Diabetes Nursing and is responsible for providing strategic clinical leadership across HIDS.

Main duties of the job:

• The Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse will have extensive diabetes nursing experience at senior level.
• They will lead on all nursing issues relating to the delivery of care for diabetes, being fully engaged in the cross organisational work with primary care and secondary care providers and other organisations to reduce unnecessary admissions and support reduced length of stay initiatives.
• They will work with multiple stakeholders to support the delivery and development of the service.
• The postholder will be responsible for facilitating and promoting a learning culture across HIDs, enabling others to develop to their full potential within the field of adult diabetes nursing.
• The postholder is expected to demonstrate a level of breadth and depth of research knowledge in the field of adult diabetes nursing.

Working for our organisation:

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Clinical: As a recognised expert in adult diabetes, the post holder provides advanced clinical care while setting the standard for others.
• Leadership and Management: This pillar focuses on the "authoritative presence" required to run the Herts Valleys Integrated Diabetes Service (HIDS) and influence the wider health economy.
• Education: The post holder is responsible for cultivating a learning environment that upskills the entire workforce.
• Research & Audit: This section focuses on evidence-based practice and maintaining the service's statutory and professional standing.

Person specification:

• Registered Nurse with NMC
• Post Registration Qualification in diabetes or chronic disease management.
• Teaching and assessing in clinical practice qualification.
• Documented CPD
• MSc in Diabetes care or equivalent experience
• Formal Teaching/Assessing qualification (e.g., PGCE or equivalent).
• Formal leadership and management training.

Knowledge:

• Highly developed specialist knowledge of Diabetes care.
• Advanced knowledge of Complex diabetes and diabetes complications management.
• Up to date knowledge of Diabetes Technology.
• Knowledge of National and international Guidelines.
• Knowledge of KPIs clinical risk and clinical governance.
• Knowledge of NHS England strategies relating to Diabetes Care and wider health and social care strategies.
• Familiarity with regional diabetes related strategic objectives.
• Knowledge of business planning and service business case development.

Experience:

• Significant experience at a senior level in Diabetes Nurse Specialist area.
• Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner.
• Proven experience in facilitating clinical change and service innovation.
• Experience in managing/leading a nursing workforce and skill-mix planning.
• Experience in investigating clinical incidents and managing risk.
• Experience in policy development.
• Evidence of project outcomes.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.