Job summary
We are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Band 7 Respiratory Nurse/ Non-medical prescriber to join our integrated respiratory service. This dynamic role bridges acute and community settings, supporting patients across the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit (ARAU) and in the community. You will play a key role in shaping the service, delivering high-quality care focused on admission prevention, early supported discharge, and long-term condition management. This is a leadership role within the service.
Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will manage complex cases, make independent clinical decisions, and contribute to pathway development. The role involves cross-sector collaboration with Livewell and Derriford respiratory teams, virtual wards, and community services to support patients throughout their journey. With consultant supervision and MDT input, you will help reduce hospital admissions and length of stay through proactive assessment, triage, and care planning. This is a forward-thinking team offering excellent development opportunities and a chance to influence service innovation.
The postholder will be involved in assessments, triage and formulating appropriate care plans for individuals, including investigative work-up, safe management plan and an awareness of any complex care needs to enable the individual to remain in their own home or be admitted to the ward.
Main duties of the job
The Band 7 Senior Nurse for the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit (ARAU) will provide clinical and managerial leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care to patients presenting with acute and complex respiratory conditions. The postholder will act as a clinical expert, role model, and resource for the multidisciplinary team, promoting best practice in respiratory assessment, treatment, and ongoing management.
The role involves day-to-day operational management of the unit, development of clinical pathways, coordination of patient flow, and ensuring effective liaison with respiratory physicians, physiotherapists, and community teams to facilitate safe, timely discharge and continuity of care.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Deliver specialist respiratory care within the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit and/or community settings
Provide enhanced clinical assessments of patients with respiratory issues, including physical examination, ordering and interpreting investigations, and developing individualised patient centred treatment plans
Act as an independent prescriber, initiating and adjusting treatment plans in line with clinical guidelines
Support admission avoidance strategies and facilitate early supported discharge.
Utilise criteria-led nurse discharge processes.
Provide respiratory education, self-management plans, and personalised care planning for patients and their families.
Support the coordination of patients within the ARAU and throughout their journey back into the community.
Deliver evidence-based care, including non-pharmacological interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation support, and oxygen management.
Work in partnership with hospital teams, GPs, community services, and other allied health professionals to ensure continuity of care.
Participate in collaborative decision making
Act as patients advocate in raising concerns around health and social care when required
Ensure patients views are considered in the decision-making process
Recognise and support the needs of carers and family members
Ensure documentation is accurate and up to date, utilising all necessary paper and electronic records
Be responsible for and facilitate others in the knowledge and awareness of appropriate use of digital health/care solutions for patients with long term conditions
Advises and supports other staff in their planning of patient care.
Provides support and advice to patients carers and relatives (with consent) on patients conditions and prognosis where appropriate.
Keep accurate and complete records of activities and communications consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team Lead on service development initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects
Communicate effectively with all staff across the MDT, community teams and patients
For further details please refer JD & PS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Deliver specialist respiratory care within the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit and/or community settings
Provide enhanced clinical assessments of patients with respiratory issues, including physical examination, ordering and interpreting investigations, and developing individualised patient centred treatment plans
Act as an independent prescriber, initiating and adjusting treatment plans in line with clinical guidelines
Support admission avoidance strategies and facilitate early supported discharge.
Utilise criteria-led nurse discharge processes.
Provide respiratory education, self-management plans, and personalised care planning for patients and their families.
Support the coordination of patients within the ARAU and throughout their journey back into the community.
Deliver evidence-based care, including non-pharmacological interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation support, and oxygen management.
Work in partnership with hospital teams, GPs, community services, and other allied health professionals to ensure continuity of care.
Participate in collaborative decision making
Act as patients advocate in raising concerns around health and social care when required
Ensure patients views are considered in the decision-making process
Recognise and support the needs of carers and family members
Ensure documentation is accurate and up to date, utilising all necessary paper and electronic records
Be responsible for and facilitate others in the knowledge and awareness of appropriate use of digital health/care solutions for patients with long term conditions
Advises and supports other staff in their planning of patient care.
Provides support and advice to patients carers and relatives (with consent) on patients conditions and prognosis where appropriate.
Keep accurate and complete records of activities and communications consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team Lead on service development initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects
Communicate effectively with all staff across the MDT, community teams and patients
For further details please refer JD & PS
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oSignificant post registration experience in respiratory nursing across acute and/or community settings
- oUnderstanding of Clinical Governance
- oProven ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams
- oUnderstanding of integrated care models and admission prevention strategies
- oClinical and line management experience
- oDemonstrable experience of oxygen assessments and prescribing O2 oClinical and line management experience
Desirable
- oGood proven Knowledge of Secondary & Primary Care Sector including integrated care pathways
- oProven Knowledge of Pulmonary rehabilitation and/or oxygen therapy
- oCurrent evidence-based practice in respiratory management including ability undertake ABGs, spirometry, FENO
- oUnderstanding or previous involvement in early supported discharge, or admission avoidance pathways
- oFrailty experience and multidisciplinary working
Qualifications
Essential
- oNMC Registered Nurse (Adult)
- oNon-medical prescribing (or working towards)
- oRecognised teaching or mentorship qualification
- oDegree (or commitment to work towards) in healthcare
- oCompletion of or willingness to complete respiratory assessment module/s, for example: Diploma module in asthma / Diploma module in COPD
Desirable
- oRecognised Acute Care Assessments module
- oManagement and leadership module or study days
- oClinical Assessment Qualification (or working towards)
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- oDemonstrates a proactive, solution-focused approach with a positive attitude.
- oExcellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with staff, patients, and families in challenging or distressing situations.
- oProficient in the use of information technology to support clinical practice and communication.
- oAble to build credibility and influence colleagues, including driving clinical improvements where appropriate.
- oStrong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage complex situations effectively.
- oResilient and adaptable, able to perform well in fast-paced and demanding environments.
Desirable
- oPrevious recent demonstrable experience of managing change towards improvement in a clinical setting.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oSignificant post registration experience in respiratory nursing across acute and/or community settings
- oUnderstanding of Clinical Governance
- oProven ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams
- oUnderstanding of integrated care models and admission prevention strategies
- oClinical and line management experience
- oDemonstrable experience of oxygen assessments and prescribing O2 oClinical and line management experience
Desirable
- oGood proven Knowledge of Secondary & Primary Care Sector including integrated care pathways
- oProven Knowledge of Pulmonary rehabilitation and/or oxygen therapy
- oCurrent evidence-based practice in respiratory management including ability undertake ABGs, spirometry, FENO
- oUnderstanding or previous involvement in early supported discharge, or admission avoidance pathways
- oFrailty experience and multidisciplinary working
Qualifications
Essential
- oNMC Registered Nurse (Adult)
- oNon-medical prescribing (or working towards)
- oRecognised teaching or mentorship qualification
- oDegree (or commitment to work towards) in healthcare
- oCompletion of or willingness to complete respiratory assessment module/s, for example: Diploma module in asthma / Diploma module in COPD
Desirable
- oRecognised Acute Care Assessments module
- oManagement and leadership module or study days
- oClinical Assessment Qualification (or working towards)
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- oDemonstrates a proactive, solution-focused approach with a positive attitude.
- oExcellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with staff, patients, and families in challenging or distressing situations.
- oProficient in the use of information technology to support clinical practice and communication.
- oAble to build credibility and influence colleagues, including driving clinical improvements where appropriate.
- oStrong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage complex situations effectively.
- oResilient and adaptable, able to perform well in fast-paced and demanding environments.
Desirable
- oPrevious recent demonstrable experience of managing change towards improvement in a clinical setting.
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).
