Job summary
Diabetes Specialist Nurse or AHP
Department Medicine - Internal - Milton Keynes Integrated Diabetes Service (MKIDS)
Band 7 (welcome applications at a band 6 development role) pro rata if part-time
Hours: 22.5, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for a highly motivated, forward-thinking nurse to join our Integrated Diabetes Service, based in the community. Our team is committed to providing safe, effective, and compassionate complex diabetes care closer to home, while continually improving the quality of our services.
We are a small, friendly team seeking an approachable team player with experience and knowledge in diabetes who is eager to learn and develop further. The ideal candidate will have experience working autonomously, be able to prioritise their workload, and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
This role offers flexible working, including the opportunity to work from home one day per week in line with Trust policy and service needs. As a Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN), you will manage your own caseload with administrative support and have the flexibility to manage your own diary and appointments, with one fixed clinic day per week.
Please note this post is a band 7. However, we welcome applications at a band 6 development role.
Interview date: 8/12/2025
Main duties of the job
"- NHS Survey, 2024 94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users''
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
There is also an opportunity to train as a DESMOND educator and to undertake bank work delivering structured education sessions.
This role would suit an experienced Diabetes Specialist Nurse looking for a new challenge or career progression, an experienced Practice Nurse wishing to specialise in diabetes, or a District Nurse or Acute Nurse keen to develop into a diabetes specialist development role.
Due to the ever-changing landscape of diabetes care, we would also welcome applications from Diabetes Specialist Practitioners or Allied Health Professionals with relevant registration and experience who are passionate about improving diabetes outcomes in the community.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide specialist, evidence-based nursing care to support and facilitate high-quality, individualised care for people living with diabetes and their families/carers.
Manage a community diabetes caseload (out-patients and housebound), applying advanced diabetes knowledge and skills to support individuals with complex needs.
Demonstrate critical application of in-depth knowledge in diabetes care, with associated management and leadership responsibilities, including completion (or commitment to undertake, if developmental) a postgraduate module in diabetes.
Work collaboratively with community services, general practice, care homes, nursing homes, and rehabilitation hospitals to reduce hospital admissions, improve diabetes outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
To act as an expert practitioner and role model, demonstrating advanced skills and knowledge to professional staff and patients.
To analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF / NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
To promote expert practice, facilitating the development of others by acting as a role model, mentor, and supervisor in practice.
Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings to support with education and case management for patients in primary and community settings including nursing homes.
Provide virtual, telephone and email advice to patients, primary care, and other healthcare professionals.
Contribute to the domiciliary service across Milton Keynes and undertake joint visits for patients with very complex needs where an assessment visit to their home will help inform the management plan (housebound patients) through mutual agreed between the practice and the provider.
Liaise with community nursing, allied health care professionals and ambulance crews across Milton Keynes specific to patient diabetes care.
Deputise for the Lead DSN as appropriate on day to day operational issues as appropriate.
Hold a valid UK driving license and be willing to drive between sites and undertake home visits.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide specialist, evidence-based nursing care to support and facilitate high-quality, individualised care for people living with diabetes and their families/carers.
Manage a community diabetes caseload (out-patients and housebound), applying advanced diabetes knowledge and skills to support individuals with complex needs.
Demonstrate critical application of in-depth knowledge in diabetes care, with associated management and leadership responsibilities, including completion (or commitment to undertake, if developmental) a postgraduate module in diabetes.
Work collaboratively with community services, general practice, care homes, nursing homes, and rehabilitation hospitals to reduce hospital admissions, improve diabetes outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
To act as an expert practitioner and role model, demonstrating advanced skills and knowledge to professional staff and patients.
To analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF / NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
To promote expert practice, facilitating the development of others by acting as a role model, mentor, and supervisor in practice.
Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings to support with education and case management for patients in primary and community settings including nursing homes.
Provide virtual, telephone and email advice to patients, primary care, and other healthcare professionals.
Contribute to the domiciliary service across Milton Keynes and undertake joint visits for patients with very complex needs where an assessment visit to their home will help inform the management plan (housebound patients) through mutual agreed between the practice and the provider.
Liaise with community nursing, allied health care professionals and ambulance crews across Milton Keynes specific to patient diabetes care.
Deputise for the Lead DSN as appropriate on day to day operational issues as appropriate.
Hold a valid UK driving license and be willing to drive between sites and undertake home visits.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Nursing or health related degree or equivalent qualification.
- Current NMC / HCPC registration
- Post registration training in Diabetes
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake
- Hold a valid UK driving license and be willing to drive between sites and undertake home visits.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate diabetes care management (face-to-face and remotely).
- Ability to triage, prioritise and coordinate referrals to the diabetes caseloads.
- Working knowledge of national guidance on diabetes.
- Knowledge of international guidance on diabetes (EASD/ADA).
- Knowledge of current issues and trends in relation to long-term conditions.
- Evidence of keeping up to date with new treatments, techniques and developments in diabetes.
- Supportive of clinical audits and quality improvements to improve the delivery of diabetes care.
- Able to liaise with appropriate healthcare professionals to facilitate a timely hospital discharge.
Desirable
- Master's or working towards
- Analyse continuous glucose monitoring data and provide written reports.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of developing and influencing changing clinical practice.
- Be able to work and make decisions autonomously.
Desirable
- Experience of a Band 6 or equivalent in area of specialisation
- Evidence of teaching
- Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and agencies to ensure the needs of the patients are met
- Experience of clinical assessment, letter writing and electronic systems.
Skills
Essential
- Good level of IT ability, including all Microsoft programmes.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively.
- Ability to recognise own limitations and to refer appropriately, when necessary, in accordance with professional code of conduct.
- Experience using System one electronic patient record system
Desirable
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records using and electronic database.
- Flexible and responsive to the needs of the service.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management.
- Ability to develop effective care plans.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to contribute to the development of the team and service provisions.
- Able to comply with national and organisational policies and procedures.
- Ability to manage own diary, allocations, clinics and home visits efficiently.
- Motivated and Positive; Self directed and committed
- Good interpersonal
- Provide training to staff as required
Desirable
- Effective delegation and organisation of junior members of staff, and students.
Communication
Essential
- Proven excellent communication skills to include different ways of communicating.
- Ability to adapt communication styles to be appropriate for the situation.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Nursing or health related degree or equivalent qualification.
- Current NMC / HCPC registration
- Post registration training in Diabetes
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake
- Hold a valid UK driving license and be willing to drive between sites and undertake home visits.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate diabetes care management (face-to-face and remotely).
- Ability to triage, prioritise and coordinate referrals to the diabetes caseloads.
- Working knowledge of national guidance on diabetes.
- Knowledge of international guidance on diabetes (EASD/ADA).
- Knowledge of current issues and trends in relation to long-term conditions.
- Evidence of keeping up to date with new treatments, techniques and developments in diabetes.
- Supportive of clinical audits and quality improvements to improve the delivery of diabetes care.
- Able to liaise with appropriate healthcare professionals to facilitate a timely hospital discharge.
Desirable
- Master's or working towards
- Analyse continuous glucose monitoring data and provide written reports.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of developing and influencing changing clinical practice.
- Be able to work and make decisions autonomously.
Desirable
- Experience of a Band 6 or equivalent in area of specialisation
- Evidence of teaching
- Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and agencies to ensure the needs of the patients are met
- Experience of clinical assessment, letter writing and electronic systems.
Skills
Essential
- Good level of IT ability, including all Microsoft programmes.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively.
- Ability to recognise own limitations and to refer appropriately, when necessary, in accordance with professional code of conduct.
- Experience using System one electronic patient record system
Desirable
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records using and electronic database.
- Flexible and responsive to the needs of the service.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management.
- Ability to develop effective care plans.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to contribute to the development of the team and service provisions.
- Able to comply with national and organisational policies and procedures.
- Ability to manage own diary, allocations, clinics and home visits efficiently.
- Motivated and Positive; Self directed and committed
- Good interpersonal
- Provide training to staff as required
Desirable
- Effective delegation and organisation of junior members of staff, and students.
Communication
Essential
- Proven excellent communication skills to include different ways of communicating.
- Ability to adapt communication styles to be appropriate for the situation.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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).
