Job summary
The
Diabetic Specialist Nurse will be an experienced and compassionate clinician
who will play a key role in managing Hitchin and Whitwell patients with diabetes
mellitus and pre-diabetes. You will work with practice and PCN staff and the
wider multi-disciplinary team to deliver excellent, patient-facing care, aiming
to improve patient experience and their outcomes.
This post is part of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) for Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Main duties of the job
With support from the practice and PCN teams, you
will undertake holistic diabetic Quality Outcomes Framework and Enhanced
Commissioning Framework reviews, including taking and recording clinical
observations, completing care planning documents, implementing evidenced based
interventions, prescribing and monitoring medication, and offering practical
advice and emotional support patients and, where appropriate, their carer. You
will be aware of local support services and be able to refer and signpost into
these as appropriate. You will work collaboratively with partners to support
patients, primary care and the wider health and social care system.
About us
H&W
Health Ltd is a company providing services for Hitchin and Whitwell Primary Care Network
(HWPCN). HWPCN was the Hertfordshire and West Essex PCN of the Year in 2024.
PCNs build on existing primary care services and
enable new and innovative approaches to improve patient care and access to
services. HWPCN covers approximately 47,000 patients from four local GP
surgeries. We are a dynamic and forward-thinking PCN, with a team of ARRS
including clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, social prescribing link
workers, health & wellbeing coaches and care coordinators, supported by an
operations manager, a business manager and a clinical director. We facilitate
our PCN staff to integrate into practice teams and pride ourselves on providing
a friendly and supportive working environment.
Hitchin is a market town in Hertfordshire with excellent schools
and transport links.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
following are the core responsibilities of the Diabetic Specialist Nurse
- Deliver comprehensive diabetes care and management in accordance with
national guidelines (e.g., NICE, QOF).
- Conduct structured diabetes reviews including assessment, monitoring,
and adjustment of treatment plans
- Provide education and self-management support to patients with diabetes
and pre-diabetes
- Initiate and titrate insulin or non-insulin therapies in accordance with
clinical protocols and independent prescribing rights
- Support patients to manage devices such as continuous blood glucose
monitoring equipment and insulin pumps
- Identify patients at risk of diabetes-related complications and
implement appropriate interventions
- Collaborate with GPs and multidisciplinary teams to deliver
patient-centred care
- Provide support and training to primary care staff in diabetes
management
- Contribute to service development
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in patient records
- Participate in patient recall systems and help ensure achievement of QOF
and IIF targets related to diabetes
In
addition to the primary responsibilities, the Diabetic Specialist nurse may be
requested to:
- Participate
in practice audits as requested by the audit lead
- Participate
in local quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and
patient care
- Participate
in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured
approach i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)
This list is not exhaustive and there may be on occasion, a
requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such
as workload, staffing levels and the needs of the business.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
following are the core responsibilities of the Diabetic Specialist Nurse
- Deliver comprehensive diabetes care and management in accordance with
national guidelines (e.g., NICE, QOF).
- Conduct structured diabetes reviews including assessment, monitoring,
and adjustment of treatment plans
- Provide education and self-management support to patients with diabetes
and pre-diabetes
- Initiate and titrate insulin or non-insulin therapies in accordance with
clinical protocols and independent prescribing rights
- Support patients to manage devices such as continuous blood glucose
monitoring equipment and insulin pumps
- Identify patients at risk of diabetes-related complications and
implement appropriate interventions
- Collaborate with GPs and multidisciplinary teams to deliver
patient-centred care
- Provide support and training to primary care staff in diabetes
management
- Contribute to service development
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in patient records
- Participate in patient recall systems and help ensure achievement of QOF
and IIF targets related to diabetes
In
addition to the primary responsibilities, the Diabetic Specialist nurse may be
requested to:
- Participate
in practice audits as requested by the audit lead
- Participate
in local quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and
patient care
- Participate
in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured
approach i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)
This list is not exhaustive and there may be on occasion, a
requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such
as workload, staffing levels and the needs of the business.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a primary care environment
- Extensive experience in managing diabetes mellitus, including initiation and monitoring of insulin
Desirable
- Experience of using SystmOne
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Recognised nursing qualification to degree level or equivalent
- Additional post-registration qualification in diabetes management
- Independent nurse prescriber
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong IT skills
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
- SystmOne user skills
- Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
- Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
- Experience with clinical risk management
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent level of clinical knowledge and skills
Other requirements
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
Desirable
- Clean current driving licence and access to own vehicle
- Project lead as required
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Polite and confident
- Flexible and cooperative
- Motivated, forward thinker
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Effectively utilises resources
- Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a primary care environment
- Extensive experience in managing diabetes mellitus, including initiation and monitoring of insulin
Desirable
- Experience of using SystmOne
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Recognised nursing qualification to degree level or equivalent
- Additional post-registration qualification in diabetes management
- Independent nurse prescriber
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong IT skills
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
- SystmOne user skills
- Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
- Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
- Experience with clinical risk management
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent level of clinical knowledge and skills
Other requirements
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
Desirable
- Clean current driving licence and access to own vehicle
- Project lead as required
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Polite and confident
- Flexible and cooperative
- Motivated, forward thinker
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Effectively utilises resources
- Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
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).
