Job summary
We wish to appoint new Obesity Specialist Nurse (Independent Prescriber) colleague to join our Specialist Weight Management Service (SWMS) at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHNHSFT), to work alongside a doctor to develop a pathway to prescribe weight management drugs alongside the SWMS offer to appropriate patients.
The Obesity Specialist Nurse in the Specialist Weight Management Service will provide evidence based, comprehensive, person centred and individualised medical care for people living with obesity referred to SWMS, working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
In this role, you will conduct consultations, assess patient histories, prescribe medications weight loss medication, and provide ongoing support to ensure safe and effective treatment. The post holder will work with people with complex needs, practising with a high level of autonomy and clinical expertise in non-medical independent prescribing, assessment and treatment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
- Support with the planning and mobilisation of a GLP-1 medication pathway
Conduct face to face and remote patient consultations
Review patient histories, including Summary Care Records, self-reported information, and current medications.
Prescribe medications in line with service treatment plans and national guidelines.
Provide individual and group advice and support to help patients manage their medication safely and effectively.
Monitor patient progress through regular check-ins and planned follow-ups.
Work in collaboration with the Psychology and Dietetic Leads who oversee the wraparound care.
Contribute to service development and the refinement of treatment plans.
Attend MDT meetings to support collaborative decision-making.
Provide specialist pharmaceutical care and advice on medicines management for patients accessing the service
Offer personalised recommendations to optimise co-morbidity management, improving healthcare outcomes and promoting best care for people living with obesity
Participate in the training and development of other members of the MDT and wider healthcare community.
About us
At Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust we take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.
As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We expect the post-holder to support the development of a robust service in order to provide high quality medication pathway for patients referred to the specialist weight management service. This will include:
1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities
Adheres to theRoyal Pharmaceutical Societys Prescribing Competency FrameworkandGeneral Medical Councils Good Practice in Prescribing and Managing Medicines and Devices.
Contributing to complex case assessment alongside other colleagues from the MDT
Support review of referral information to triage suitability for service, level of urgency and complexity (with the EOSS and SWMS Traffic Light Triage)
Responding to medication queries, escalating any clinical risks or concerns to the Clinical Lead
Reviewing current co-morbidity management and making recommendations for further management/optimisation or opportunities to support weight loss/prevent further gain
Flagging/raising potential risk with colleagues overseeing relevant care and making onward referral where indicated
Support more efficient decision making and faster throughput to treatment via robust Triage and screening
2. Professional Development, Education and Training
Training within team and wider healthcare community
Opportunity to promote Obesity Best Care Protocol and improved outcomes for a highly stigmatised patient group
Opportunity to contribute to wider evidence base in Tier 3 services through audit and evaluation
3. Planning and Organisation
Supporting the development of guidance and protocols around the prescription of GLP-1 medication
Supporting the introduction of a safe pathway for the provision of GLP-1 medication
4. Communications and Working Relationships
Service promotion within wider Integrated Care System
Liaison with internal colleagues (e.g., Tier 4, Diabetes, Cardiology, etc.), primary care and commissioners (ICB) where appropriate
Advocacy for patient group within primary and secondary care
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We expect the post-holder to support the development of a robust service in order to provide high quality medication pathway for patients referred to the specialist weight management service. This will include:
1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities
Adheres to theRoyal Pharmaceutical Societys Prescribing Competency FrameworkandGeneral Medical Councils Good Practice in Prescribing and Managing Medicines and Devices.
Contributing to complex case assessment alongside other colleagues from the MDT
Support review of referral information to triage suitability for service, level of urgency and complexity (with the EOSS and SWMS Traffic Light Triage)
Responding to medication queries, escalating any clinical risks or concerns to the Clinical Lead
Reviewing current co-morbidity management and making recommendations for further management/optimisation or opportunities to support weight loss/prevent further gain
Flagging/raising potential risk with colleagues overseeing relevant care and making onward referral where indicated
Support more efficient decision making and faster throughput to treatment via robust Triage and screening
2. Professional Development, Education and Training
Training within team and wider healthcare community
Opportunity to promote Obesity Best Care Protocol and improved outcomes for a highly stigmatised patient group
Opportunity to contribute to wider evidence base in Tier 3 services through audit and evaluation
3. Planning and Organisation
Supporting the development of guidance and protocols around the prescription of GLP-1 medication
Supporting the introduction of a safe pathway for the provision of GLP-1 medication
4. Communications and Working Relationships
Service promotion within wider Integrated Care System
Liaison with internal colleagues (e.g., Tier 4, Diabetes, Cardiology, etc.), primary care and commissioners (ICB) where appropriate
Advocacy for patient group within primary and secondary care
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Appropriate experience as a Nurse Independent Prescriber
- Appropriate experience working in a weight management or diabetes
- Non-Medical independent Prescribing Qualification
- Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Desirable
- Experience in prescribing and titrating GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight management or other indications (e.g. diabetes).
- Additional qualifications in obesity care, such as SCOPE certification
- Multi morbidity/long term conditions experience
- Able to work co-operatively as a team member
- Highly motivated, autonomous and independent practitioner.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Appropriate experience as a Nurse Independent Prescriber
- Appropriate experience working in a weight management or diabetes
- Non-Medical independent Prescribing Qualification
- Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Desirable
- Experience in prescribing and titrating GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight management or other indications (e.g. diabetes).
- Additional qualifications in obesity care, such as SCOPE certification
- Multi morbidity/long term conditions experience
- Able to work co-operatively as a team member
- Highly motivated, autonomous and independent practitioner.
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).
