Job summary The purpose of the Band 6 Clinical Lead Nurse is to provide expert clinical advice to the Plastic Dressing team across all hospital sites, integrating into existing surgical teams within the plastic surgery specialty. The post holder will provide expert care across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. It may be required that expertise may be needed in the community where Plastic Services are delivered. Main duties of the job The leadership and management of the Plastic Dressing Clinic. To be a core member of the multidisciplinary team working closely with plastic surgeons. The management of a caseload of designated patients. Coordination and delivery of care to patients who are referred to the Plastic Dressing Clinic. To act as a role model for nursing practice in the Plastic Dressing Clinic. To work together with other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide optimal care throughout all aspects of the patients care pathway. To provide high quality information to patients and carer on their treatment and care. Work across professional boundaries to provide seamless care. To provide specialist education, clinical nursing advice and leadership to other health care professionals within Plastic Dressing Clinic and outside Organisations with regards to the dressing of wounds. Assessment of wounds and the development of a treatment plan. Carry out appraisals be a source of expertise for junior members of staff providing guidance and teaching to ensure safe effective practice. Be involved in the development of policies and procedures within the Plastic Dressing Clinic About us If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply. From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months) Date posted 31 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number C9439-2425-1231 Job locations University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW Job description Job responsibilities To ensure that nursing care is provided which meets or exceeds the level of patient expectations To manage the delivery of nursing care, deploying staff effectively and ensuring appropriate delegation to junior MDT members To monitor standards of record keeping ensuring adherence to NMC guidelines To lead the Plastic Dressing team implementing quality indicators. To promote an effective learning environment within the unit facilitating staff development and team working Conduct staff appraisals Resolve conflict at unit level, diffuse situations and challenge poor behaviour when witnessed or reported Assist and provide support to develop the Plastic Dressing team ensuring good working practices and evidence based protocols to deliver excellent services for Ophthalmology patients. To lead clinical practice within the Plastic Dressing Clinic. Assessing needs, developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of care, whilst being an effective role model, promoting effective communication with all disciplines internally and across divisional boundaries, within the Trust. Support the Ward Manager in investigations. Communicate with patients to enable them to make informed choices about their health and health care. To clinically assess and be accountable for a defined caseload which will incorporate medical history taking, clinical examination of skin cancer patients and those requiring plastic surgery Holistically assess and identify health and psychosocial needs of individual patients, and plan programmes of care to meet these needs in partnership with the patient and their significant others. To maintain a nurse led outpatient service Request and interpret appropriate diagnostics Undertakes training and maintains their competency in debridement of wounds. Interprets diagnostic results and discusses the results at multidisciplinary teams Use advanced interpersonal skills to impart sensitive, complex and potentially distressing information to patients and carers providing them with emotional support as appropriate community, specialist and other health care professionals delivering holistic care. To educate and provide advice on symptom control, wound management and psychosocial matters to multi-disciplinary teams. Work with other specialist teams to ensure appropriate timely care Undertake appropriate training to progress the role of the Plastic Dressing Clinic. Assist in evaluation of the service and patient care. Undertake or be involved in audit of the services Be proactive in supporting service change contributing to the development of protocols, documents. Policies and clinical guidelines for others to use to support clinical practice. To establish and maintain nurse lead follows up clinics for Plastic Surgery patients. To manage clinic activity. To provide support to consultants, medical and nursing team. To develop when necessary protocols and standard operational procedures. Job description Job responsibilities To ensure that nursing care is provided which meets or exceeds the level of patient expectations To manage the delivery of nursing care, deploying staff effectively and ensuring appropriate delegation to junior MDT members To monitor standards of record keeping ensuring adherence to NMC guidelines To lead the Plastic Dressing team implementing quality indicators. To promote an effective learning environment within the unit facilitating staff development and team working Conduct staff appraisals Resolve conflict at unit level, diffuse situations and challenge poor behaviour when witnessed or reported Assist and provide support to develop the Plastic Dressing team ensuring good working practices and evidence based protocols to deliver excellent services for Ophthalmology patients. To lead clinical practice within the Plastic Dressing Clinic. Assessing needs, developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of care, whilst being an effective role model, promoting effective communication with all disciplines internally and across divisional boundaries, within the Trust. Support the Ward Manager in investigations. Communicate with patients to enable them to make informed choices about their health and health care. To clinically assess and be accountable for a defined caseload which will incorporate medical history taking, clinical examination of skin cancer patients and those requiring plastic surgery Holistically assess and identify health and psychosocial needs of individual patients, and plan programmes of care to meet these needs in partnership with the patient and their significant others. To maintain a nurse led outpatient service Request and interpret appropriate diagnostics Undertakes training and maintains their competency in debridement of wounds. Interprets diagnostic results and discusses the results at multidisciplinary teams Use advanced interpersonal skills to impart sensitive, complex and potentially distressing information to patients and carers providing them with emotional support as appropriate community, specialist and other health care professionals delivering holistic care. To educate and provide advice on symptom control, wound management and psychosocial matters to multi-disciplinary teams. Work with other specialist teams to ensure appropriate timely care Undertake appropriate training to progress the role of the Plastic Dressing Clinic. Assist in evaluation of the service and patient care. Undertake or be involved in audit of the services Be proactive in supporting service change contributing to the development of protocols, documents. Policies and clinical guidelines for others to use to support clinical practice. To establish and maintain nurse lead follows up clinics for Plastic Surgery patients. To manage clinic activity. To provide support to consultants, medical and nursing team. To develop when necessary protocols and standard operational procedures. Person Specification Qualifications Essential RGN Teaching qualification or equivalent Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Experience Essential Management experience at senior level Current knowledge of professional developments Managing change Service improvement Desirable Knowledge of relevant nursing and health care policies Statutory Registration Essential RGN recognised by NMC Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Clinical knowledge of acute nursing Literate and articulate Managerial skills Leadership skills Good communication Skills Evidence of undertaking and developing audits to improve practice Desirable Plastic speciality Person Specification Qualifications Essential RGN Teaching qualification or equivalent Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Experience Essential Management experience at senior level Current knowledge of professional developments Managing change Service improvement Desirable Knowledge of relevant nursing and health care policies Statutory Registration Essential RGN recognised by NMC Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Clinical knowledge of acute nursing Literate and articulate Managerial skills Leadership skills Good communication Skills Evidence of undertaking and developing audits to improve practice Desirable Plastic speciality 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 County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Address University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)