Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity and is a much-needed new post to the Trust. If you are a registrant who is motivated and passionate for the highest standards of care read on.
We are looking for a skilled and motivated Registered Nurse or AHP to be the Clinical Specialist to lead on the care and for autistic patients across the Trust. The post holder will work across children, young people and adult care supporting clinical teams with expert knowledge advice and expertise in the care of autistic people. This includes supporting the planning process for elective admissions, inpatients and supporting the discharge process and advising on appropriate reasonable adjustments.
You will be expected to be a visible presence on the wards working closely with staff and patients and their families. The successful candidate will work closely with the Trust MCA Lead Practitioner, the Learning Disability Liaison Team, clinical teams across the trust, colleagues in community and primary care.
- Interview Date Friday 26 September 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a Registered Nurse or AHP with evidence of degree level study and significant experience within this specialism.
The post holder will lead the development of appropriate services in Newcastle to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway, providing seamless care between primary and secondary services. The post holder will facilitate new developments and innovations between the acute setting and the community to better support autistic children and adults.
There will be an expectation that the successful candidate will implement 'Best Practice' and foster local initiatives and practices in line with National and local Polices and Guidelines. Contributes to and development of programmes of education for Trust staff.
There is a need to assist staff within the acute sector to deliver high quality care to all autistic patients by providing expert advice and information.
The post holder will initiate and participate in multi-professional meetings/case conferences when necessary.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit:Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle HospitalsandNewcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder provides a highly specialist consultative resource to Newcastle Hospitals Trust and has lead responsibility for providing guidance to acute hospital colleagues on meeting the needs of people with autism . The post holder will lead the development of appropriate services in Newcastle to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway, providing seamless care between primary and secondary services.
- The post holder will collaborate with colleagues within and without the acute sector to develop care pathways, and will assist in setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care and the provision of assessment, preparation, planning and co-ordination at points of attendance, admission and discharge of people who are autistic to ensure the highest standards are achieved.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The post holder provides a highly specialist consultative resource to Newcastle Hospitals Trust and has lead responsibility for providing guidance to acute hospital colleagues on meeting the needs of people with autism . The post holder will lead the development of appropriate services in Newcastle to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway, providing seamless care between primary and secondary services.
- The post holder will collaborate with colleagues within and without the acute sector to develop care pathways, and will assist in setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care and the provision of assessment, preparation, planning and co-ordination at points of attendance, admission and discharge of people who are autistic to ensure the highest standards are achieved.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Registered General Nurse or AHP
- Evidence of degree level study
Desirable
- Post registration Specialist / Advanced Practice course (Masters Desirable)
- Mentor Preparation Qualification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in learning difficulties at a senior level
- Significant leadership experience and a proven track record in change management and service improvement
- Comprehensive body of knowledge understanding and awareness of autism
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of making an active contribution to a group or project
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Established and effective communication and interpersonal skills o Across operational and professional boundaries o Where negotiation is required o Change management. o Effective report writing skills
- IT skills o Software packages; Word, Excel, and power point
- Effective organisation of time and people management skills
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Registered General Nurse or AHP
- Evidence of degree level study
Desirable
- Post registration Specialist / Advanced Practice course (Masters Desirable)
- Mentor Preparation Qualification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in learning difficulties at a senior level
- Significant leadership experience and a proven track record in change management and service improvement
- Comprehensive body of knowledge understanding and awareness of autism
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of making an active contribution to a group or project
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Established and effective communication and interpersonal skills o Across operational and professional boundaries o Where negotiation is required o Change management. o Effective report writing skills
- IT skills o Software packages; Word, Excel, and power point
- Effective organisation of time and people management skills
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).
