Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Cleft Lip and Palate Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 19 January 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Specialist Nursing team. We provide a first class service across the North West of England, North Wales and the Isle of Man for babies born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will exercise higher levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care demonstrated through the agreed competency framework. They will provide specialist expertise and advice as a core member of a multidisciplinary cleft team specialisingin the management of children with clefts of the lip and/or palate and their families within the North West, the Isle of Man and the North Wales Clinical Network.

The caseload will primarily be in the Alder Hey side of the Network which includes Merseyside, Cheshire, Wirral, North Wales and Lancashire.

The post holder will demonstrate a sound understanding of the issues related to the identification, assessment, treatment and management of Cleft Lip & Palate patients, associated anomalies, and play a key role in the management of these families throughout the treatment period. They will also monitor and improve standards of care through supervision of practice, clinical audit, evidence based practice, teaching and supporting professional colleagues in the provision of skilled professional leadership. The post holder will contribute to clinical governance within the service by understanding audit and research within this specialist field.They will work independently within the community, the hospital of birth, through acute episodes of admission for surgery, at joint MDT cleft clinics The post holder will be expected to be part of an on call service providing out of hours cover for the whole network area.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Compressed hours

Reference number

349-MCH-7429409-RL4

Job locations

Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital

Hathersage Road

Manchester

M13 6WL


Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Health Visitor and/or RN (Child)
  • Educated to First degree level
  • Graduate in Nursing or health related subject
  • Teaching and assessing qualification.

Desirable

  • Masters or working towards masters related subject

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstratable experience at Band 6
  • Portfolio of evidence showing achievements in practice/specialty
  • Evidence of delivering teaching programmes to staff groups
  • Must be able to travel to hospital sites and patients' homes within the whole North West Network during working hours and whilst on call.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Health Visitor and/or RN (Child)
  • Educated to First degree level
  • Graduate in Nursing or health related subject
  • Teaching and assessing qualification.

Desirable

  • Masters or working towards masters related subject

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstratable experience at Band 6
  • Portfolio of evidence showing achievements in practice/specialty
  • Evidence of delivering teaching programmes to staff groups
  • Must be able to travel to hospital sites and patients' homes within the whole North West Network during working hours and whilst on call.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital

Hathersage Road

Manchester

M13 6WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital

Hathersage Road

Manchester

M13 6WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Nurse for Cleft lip and Palate

Louise Hall

louise.hall4@mft.nhs.uk

07817127187

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Compressed hours

Reference number

349-MCH-7429409-RL4

Job locations

Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital

Hathersage Road

Manchester

M13 6WL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)