Job summary
We are seeking an experienced Respiratory Nurse Specialist to join our team and support the newly launched Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) Breathlessness Assessment Pathway. This innovative, multidisciplinary service provides streamlined, one-stop diagnostics for patients with unexplained breathlessness.
The postholder will manage referrals, triage patients, review diagnostic results, and coordinate care to ensure safe, efficient service delivery. This role is key to improving patient experience, reducing waiting times, and supporting NHS priorities for integrated, patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
Manage referrals into the CDC Breathlessness Assessment Pathway and ensure timely triage. Review diagnostic test results (e.g., spirometry, FeNO, imaging) and escalate appropriately. Coordinate patient flow through the one-stop clinic, working closely with the multidisciplinary team. Provide specialist respiratory nursing input, patient education, and support throughout the diagnostic process. Contribute to service development, audit, and quality improvement initiatives to meet pathway KPIs. Maintain accurate documentation and uphold clinical governance standards.
About us
We want to attract the best and brightest people to work with us and that means we will look after you from the moment you apply for a role at the Trust and throughout your career with us. Our staff are central to everything we do, and we believe that investing in you is crucial if we want to enable you to reach your full potential.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for a full and comprehensive overview for this position.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for a full and comprehensive overview for this position.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (NMC) with valid pin
- Degree in Nursing or equivalent
Desirable
- Non medical prescribing qualification/Advanced practice qualification
- Postgraduate qualification (MSC or specialist diploma in Respiratory)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post-registration including at least 2 years in respiratory speciality
- Experience working in MDT/specialist respiratory team
- Ability to interpret physiology tests (spirometry, gas transfer, exercise tests), experience in performing CBGs and interpreting ABG & CBG
- Excellent communication; able to advise and influence stakeholders
- Analytical decision-making skills; complex case management
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
Desirable
- Experience in managing breathlessness pathway patients
- Experience in pathway/service redesign
- Familiarity with virtual clinics/telehealth
- Experience in patient information development
- Research and audit experience
- Experience in collaborative working with primary care partners within the ICB
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to manage/organise case load of patients independently
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Ability to prioritise and deliver on agreed objectives
- Leadership capabilities; supervision of junior staff
- Clinical decision making and triage skills
- Recent experience in assessment and review of home oxygen, asthma, COPD, ILD, NIV therapy and general respiratory nursing
Desirable
- Advanced/Specialist respiratory assessment skills
- Management experience and Innovation in service improvement
- Knowledge of current respiratory guidelines
- Experience in quality improvement projects
- Understanding of community diagnostic pathways
- Engagement in professional development and advanced practice frameworks
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (NMC) with valid pin
- Degree in Nursing or equivalent
Desirable
- Non medical prescribing qualification/Advanced practice qualification
- Postgraduate qualification (MSC or specialist diploma in Respiratory)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post-registration including at least 2 years in respiratory speciality
- Experience working in MDT/specialist respiratory team
- Ability to interpret physiology tests (spirometry, gas transfer, exercise tests), experience in performing CBGs and interpreting ABG & CBG
- Excellent communication; able to advise and influence stakeholders
- Analytical decision-making skills; complex case management
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
Desirable
- Experience in managing breathlessness pathway patients
- Experience in pathway/service redesign
- Familiarity with virtual clinics/telehealth
- Experience in patient information development
- Research and audit experience
- Experience in collaborative working with primary care partners within the ICB
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to manage/organise case load of patients independently
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Ability to prioritise and deliver on agreed objectives
- Leadership capabilities; supervision of junior staff
- Clinical decision making and triage skills
- Recent experience in assessment and review of home oxygen, asthma, COPD, ILD, NIV therapy and general respiratory nursing
Desirable
- Advanced/Specialist respiratory assessment skills
- Management experience and Innovation in service improvement
- Knowledge of current respiratory guidelines
- Experience in quality improvement projects
- Understanding of community diagnostic pathways
- Engagement in professional development and advanced practice frameworks
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
