Job summary
37.5 hours per week.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Tavistock community nursing team as a full-time, permanent Community Sister/Charge Nurse. We welcome applications from experienced Band 5 or existing Band 6 nurses passionate about leading a team of community nurses.
You will work closely with the Team Manager and collaborate with various internal and external services, including PCN and health & social care colleagues across primary & secondary care.
As an autonomous practitioner, youll assess and treat patients with complex health & social care needs, manage a clinical caseload, and ensure holistic, evidence-based care to maintain patients at home. Responsibilities include thorough patient assessment, recognising deterioration, appropriate escalation and treatment planning.
Additionally, the managerial aspect of the role will require strong leadership skills to effectively manage, support, and develop the nursing team. You will embed excellent management practices to foster a positive, motivated, and adaptable work environment, driving change and maintaining team cohesion.
This role suits experienced nurses looking to expand their clinical and managerial expertise, who are committed to creating a supportive & dynamic culture.
The position requires frequent travel to multiple locations, some with limited public transport access; candidates must demonstrate how they will manage this.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
- Be responsible for the assessment of care needs & the
development, implementation & evaluation of care through
effective caseload management.
- Required to supervise junior staff & be able to
teach qualified/unqualified staff, including students.
- Will be expected to be involved in the management &
leadership of the service.
- Be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing in
all its forums, attending meetings & MDT discussions for patients and service delivery.
- Be responsible for designated staff and hold line
management and appraisal responsibilities.
- To promote a collaborative approach to team culture & patient care within
the team providing support to junior staff.
- To assist the Team Manager in the identification &
maintenance of standards of care delivered and escalate accordingly.
- To act as clinical role model, demonstrating high
standards of nursing practice.
- Actively participate in clinical governance & quality
improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit, eRoster management, incident and
risk reporting and/or clinical policy development.
This role will ne required be to cover an 08:30 to 17:00 service, 7 days a week.
This post will require Face to Face interviews.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social
enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across
Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of
Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports
centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and
collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while
empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in
shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right
time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead
healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training
pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care
Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship
programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all
sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental
health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the
application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
2. JOB PURPOSE
To be responsible for assessing, triaging, planning, implementing, evaluating care which may
be complex, sensitive and unpredictable with the support of senior nurse / nurse specialist /
caseload holder
To Co-ordinate the delivery of care, application of clinical judgement in day-to-day changes in
patients' needs and circumstances external to the individual, determining when to seek advice
from senior clinical or management staff. This includes response to immediate crisis.
To undertake and to develop all nursing skills and competencies, updating as required for their
role to enhance the skill mix of the nursing team ensuring that the ever-changing health needs
of patients are met.
To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, legible, and all care
given to be documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be
maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies, the relevant professional body guidelines and
Government directives.
To provide clinical supervision to other staff and students.
Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own
health and wellbeing, maximising independence and facilitating health promotion.
Depending on role you will be required to work within a defined geographical area undertaking
specific clinical nursing duties to patients in a variety of settings such as their own homes, care
homes, other community locations or clinic set
Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff in the absence of the
team leader
To work within the scope of the NMC professional code of practice. Moving across the
organisation should the need arise, for example, in a pandemic situation.
Your role may require you to be a non-medical prescriber / Nurse Prescriber taking
responsibility for prescribing in line with Nurse Prescribing formulary and Plymouth Area
Joint Formulary.
To work within Livewell Southwest policies.
Within the role you will be expected to work with more complex patients providing holistic
evidence-based care, assessing, planning, implementing the treatment requirements of the
practice population.
To work collaboratively and maintain key working relationships with managers, service
heads and leads.
Integrated Operational
Lead Practice Lead Nursing
Senior Community Nurse, Generic Band 6 AFSS044
September 2024
Establish and uphold proactive connections with stakeholders, including ICBs, NHS
Organisations, CHC, PCNs, Plymouth City Council, as well as private/voluntary sector (i.e.
St. Lukes).
Lead and participate in the management of enhanced assessments, rehabilitation
programmes
Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own
health and wellbeing, Maximise independence.
Share knowledge and skills and empower others.
Support the audit of patient outcomes.
Some services may need extra training to administer certain medications, such as
intravenous medication, oxygen, or medicines under patient group directives.
Prevent hospital admission.
You may be required to undertake 7 days working, including bank holidays, this is subject
to the terms and conditions set out in your contract of employment.
5.1 Responsibility for People Management
Be responsible for the planning, implementing, development, delivery and evaluation of care across
community nursing teams/clinics.
5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
To demonstrate awareness of resources, providing cost effective and quality-controlled usage of
products.
5.3 Responsibility for administration
5.4 Responsibility for people who use our services
To be accountable for the direct delivery of service by providing holistic evidence-based practice to
patients and their carers, ensuring maximum independence and quality of life in a constantly
changing environment.
5.5 Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
Ensure adherence to Livewell Southwest Policies.
Develop, review and audit guidelines/ protocols/ polices for specific aspects of own service in line
with NICE guidance, best practice Guidance and professional forums and support implementation
into practice ensuring the clinical practice reflects national and local drivers.
5.6 Other Responsibilities - To maintain accurate patient records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and that all care
given has been documented. These records must be maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies,
NMC guidelines and Government directives.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Links across & liaises with; primary care, secondary care, mental health, voluntary & statutory
organisations, SWAST, 111, Users & Carers, Members of the public, Integrated Localities,
Specialist Services and Urgent and Intermediate Care (and all stakeholders as required).
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical effort -Daily there is likelihood to exert moderate physical effort for several long periods during a shift
e.g. wound dressings and diagnostics in patients homes, which require nurses to kneel, bending,
sit on knees, bending or lifting of limbs or buckets of water (up to 40 60 minutes per limb); this
involves manual handling and equipment.
Mental Effort - Continuously interrupted, multi-tasking e.g. writing notes, answering mobile telephone call. The
staff carry a mobile telephone and are expected to be available to other staff and professionals and
can be interrupted at any time.
Emotional Effort - At each visit staff may need to care for patients with degenerative terminal
conditions and their carers who may be children or adults within the home.
Need to deal with highly distressing and difficult family situations frequently such as
grief, crisis care management in unpredictable care conditions.
Working Conditions - Daily working in cramped conditions within patients own homes.
Frequent exposure to heat and cold in patients homes and the outside
environments such as standing on a patients doorstep awaiting entry.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their
post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below
are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct
policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
As part of your role there will be occasional requirement to draw upon appropriate shared skills to
support holistic assessments.
8.1 Risk Management - In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required,
with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and
statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that
occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals
potentially at risk.
8.2 Health and Safety at Work - You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and
in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the
intranet or from the Risk Management Department.
8.3 Infection Control
Livewell - Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal
of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance
with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control
policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line
manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate
their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).
8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults - All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are
required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing.
8.5 Research
For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part
of this role.
8.6 Sustainability and climate change
All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area
of the organisation.
8.7 Other
This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will
not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions
should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.
The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell
Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week
except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a
reference period of 17 weeks would apply.
Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies
to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of
main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
2. JOB PURPOSE
To be responsible for assessing, triaging, planning, implementing, evaluating care which may
be complex, sensitive and unpredictable with the support of senior nurse / nurse specialist /
caseload holder
To Co-ordinate the delivery of care, application of clinical judgement in day-to-day changes in
patients' needs and circumstances external to the individual, determining when to seek advice
from senior clinical or management staff. This includes response to immediate crisis.
To undertake and to develop all nursing skills and competencies, updating as required for their
role to enhance the skill mix of the nursing team ensuring that the ever-changing health needs
of patients are met.
To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, legible, and all care
given to be documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be
maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies, the relevant professional body guidelines and
Government directives.
To provide clinical supervision to other staff and students.
Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own
health and wellbeing, maximising independence and facilitating health promotion.
Depending on role you will be required to work within a defined geographical area undertaking
specific clinical nursing duties to patients in a variety of settings such as their own homes, care
homes, other community locations or clinic set
Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff in the absence of the
team leader
To work within the scope of the NMC professional code of practice. Moving across the
organisation should the need arise, for example, in a pandemic situation.
Your role may require you to be a non-medical prescriber / Nurse Prescriber taking
responsibility for prescribing in line with Nurse Prescribing formulary and Plymouth Area
Joint Formulary.
To work within Livewell Southwest policies.
Within the role you will be expected to work with more complex patients providing holistic
evidence-based care, assessing, planning, implementing the treatment requirements of the
practice population.
To work collaboratively and maintain key working relationships with managers, service
heads and leads.
Integrated Operational
Lead Practice Lead Nursing
Senior Community Nurse, Generic Band 6 AFSS044
September 2024
Establish and uphold proactive connections with stakeholders, including ICBs, NHS
Organisations, CHC, PCNs, Plymouth City Council, as well as private/voluntary sector (i.e.
St. Lukes).
Lead and participate in the management of enhanced assessments, rehabilitation
programmes
Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own
health and wellbeing, Maximise independence.
Share knowledge and skills and empower others.
Support the audit of patient outcomes.
Some services may need extra training to administer certain medications, such as
intravenous medication, oxygen, or medicines under patient group directives.
Prevent hospital admission.
You may be required to undertake 7 days working, including bank holidays, this is subject
to the terms and conditions set out in your contract of employment.
5.1 Responsibility for People Management
Be responsible for the planning, implementing, development, delivery and evaluation of care across
community nursing teams/clinics.
5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
To demonstrate awareness of resources, providing cost effective and quality-controlled usage of
products.
5.3 Responsibility for administration
5.4 Responsibility for people who use our services
To be accountable for the direct delivery of service by providing holistic evidence-based practice to
patients and their carers, ensuring maximum independence and quality of life in a constantly
changing environment.
5.5 Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
Ensure adherence to Livewell Southwest Policies.
Develop, review and audit guidelines/ protocols/ polices for specific aspects of own service in line
with NICE guidance, best practice Guidance and professional forums and support implementation
into practice ensuring the clinical practice reflects national and local drivers.
5.6 Other Responsibilities - To maintain accurate patient records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and that all care
given has been documented. These records must be maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies,
NMC guidelines and Government directives.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Links across & liaises with; primary care, secondary care, mental health, voluntary & statutory
organisations, SWAST, 111, Users & Carers, Members of the public, Integrated Localities,
Specialist Services and Urgent and Intermediate Care (and all stakeholders as required).
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical effort -Daily there is likelihood to exert moderate physical effort for several long periods during a shift
e.g. wound dressings and diagnostics in patients homes, which require nurses to kneel, bending,
sit on knees, bending or lifting of limbs or buckets of water (up to 40 60 minutes per limb); this
involves manual handling and equipment.
Mental Effort - Continuously interrupted, multi-tasking e.g. writing notes, answering mobile telephone call. The
staff carry a mobile telephone and are expected to be available to other staff and professionals and
can be interrupted at any time.
Emotional Effort - At each visit staff may need to care for patients with degenerative terminal
conditions and their carers who may be children or adults within the home.
Need to deal with highly distressing and difficult family situations frequently such as
grief, crisis care management in unpredictable care conditions.
Working Conditions - Daily working in cramped conditions within patients own homes.
Frequent exposure to heat and cold in patients homes and the outside
environments such as standing on a patients doorstep awaiting entry.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their
post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below
are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct
policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
As part of your role there will be occasional requirement to draw upon appropriate shared skills to
support holistic assessments.
8.1 Risk Management - In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required,
with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and
statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that
occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals
potentially at risk.
8.2 Health and Safety at Work - You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and
in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the
intranet or from the Risk Management Department.
8.3 Infection Control
Livewell - Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal
of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance
with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control
policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line
manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate
their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).
8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults - All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are
required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing.
8.5 Research
For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part
of this role.
8.6 Sustainability and climate change
All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area
of the organisation.
8.7 Other
This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will
not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions
should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.
The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell
Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week
except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a
reference period of 17 weeks would apply.
Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies
to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of
main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post registered experience
- Able to demonstrate Clinical Management skills appropriate to the role.
- Proven relevant experience of Leadership.
- Experience in leading and development of new pathways of care and delivering best practice
- Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.
Desirable
- Experience and working knowledge of community setting desirable.
- Management/Leadership qualification
- Experience of influencing change in the workplace
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of current practice within the area specified in job purpose
- Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies
- Ability to translate best practice evidence and national policies in practice.
- Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care.
- Understanding of NICE guidance.
- The post holder will have experience undertaking Incident Investigations
- Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessment
Desirable
- Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development
- Knowledge of service development
- Previous primary care / community experience.
Skills
Essential
- Good time management
- Autonomous practitioner with the ability to work unsupervised.
- Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work alongside clinicians to support and enhance quality of patient care.
- Excellent interpersonal skills in Leadership, co-ordination and management skills.
- Delegation skills.
- IT Literate.
- Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
- Ability to act as a champion for patients and carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.
Desirable
- Flexible/Adaptable /Team player
- Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Familiar and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.
- Demonstrate commitment to focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
- Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
- Ability to work flexibly, demonstrating commitment to partnership working.
- Ability to travel across Plymouth and other geographical areas.
Desirable
- Values diversity and difference.
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st Level Nurse Registration
- (degree or diploma)
- NMC Registration
- Current Registered Nurse with a relevant registered experience
- Experience of mentoring
Desirable
- Recognised teaching qualification mentorship or equivalent.
- Leadership experience/qualifications
- NMP prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.
- DNSPQ Qualification
- Specialist Nurse modules
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post registered experience
- Able to demonstrate Clinical Management skills appropriate to the role.
- Proven relevant experience of Leadership.
- Experience in leading and development of new pathways of care and delivering best practice
- Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.
Desirable
- Experience and working knowledge of community setting desirable.
- Management/Leadership qualification
- Experience of influencing change in the workplace
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of current practice within the area specified in job purpose
- Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies
- Ability to translate best practice evidence and national policies in practice.
- Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care.
- Understanding of NICE guidance.
- The post holder will have experience undertaking Incident Investigations
- Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessment
Desirable
- Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development
- Knowledge of service development
- Previous primary care / community experience.
Skills
Essential
- Good time management
- Autonomous practitioner with the ability to work unsupervised.
- Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work alongside clinicians to support and enhance quality of patient care.
- Excellent interpersonal skills in Leadership, co-ordination and management skills.
- Delegation skills.
- IT Literate.
- Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
- Ability to act as a champion for patients and carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.
Desirable
- Flexible/Adaptable /Team player
- Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Familiar and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.
- Demonstrate commitment to focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
- Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
- Ability to work flexibly, demonstrating commitment to partnership working.
- Ability to travel across Plymouth and other geographical areas.
Desirable
- Values diversity and difference.
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st Level Nurse Registration
- (degree or diploma)
- NMC Registration
- Current Registered Nurse with a relevant registered experience
- Experience of mentoring
Desirable
- Recognised teaching qualification mentorship or equivalent.
- Leadership experience/qualifications
- NMP prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.
- DNSPQ Qualification
- Specialist Nurse modules
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).