Job summary An exciting opportunity exists to join the Gastroenterology Team as a Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist. We are seeking an enthusiastic, forward thinking and motivated nurse to join this busy service. The nurse will have the opportunity to build upon and develop their knowledge of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as well as being supported to gain formal qualifications such as speciality specific modules and non-medical prescribing. Working within the Inflammatory Bowel Disease CNS team, you will support Service development and improve patient experience based on emerging and best practice models of care which is responsive to patient feedback and audit findings. You will be expected to play a supportive role in ensuring the team comply with local and national policy, clinical governance and Peer review. You will work collaboratively with referring GPs and all members of the extended multidisciplinary team including; imaging departments, medical and surgical consultants, clinical nurse specialists, research teams, ward nursing teams and administrative teams. As a Band 6 you will be expected to meet the essential criteria, possess the relevant post registration experience as outlined in the person specification. The postholder will be supported and given opportunity for training to enhance knowledge and skills in the role Main duties of the job The post holder will be required to work as part of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service, alongside the multidisciplinary team with input from physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, dietitians and pharmacists. After a period of induction you will be required to provide specialist advice and assessment, implementation and evaluation of care for patients with an IBD diagnosis and support the entire team in the delivery of inpatient, day case, outpatient and virtual clinical care. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE POST: To provide a specialist nursing service for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). To provide seamless care by working within a multidisciplinary team. To manage the IBD helpline and to safely manage patients on immunosuppressive therapy. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology. Our Values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. Date posted 21 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 418-SUR3920-JB Job locations Luton & Dunstable Hospital Lewsey Road Luton LU4 0DZ Job description Job responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical To provide a specialist nurse led service working autonomously in providing care for IBD patients and their families according to agreed protocols or as specified by the Consultant Gastroenterologists. To clinically assess patients attending for routine follow-up of IBD, to monitor and evaluate disease activity, ordering and interpreting specific haematological, endoscopic investigations or imaging as indicated. To recommend treatment, alter drug dosages according to management guidelines. To encourage adherence with recommended management plans. To promote a better understanding of IBD for patients and their carers through education, providing support and counselling where necessary in order to empower them to take a greater part in self managing their disease. To follow-up and monitor patients taking Azathioprine and other immunosuppressive agents. To request and act on blood results to avoid complications and improve safety. To co-ordinate requests for biological therapy with Consultants, pharmacy and CCG. To counsel IBD patients pre biological therapy and perform immunity screening and improve safety with biological therapy. To check and prepare patients for biological therapy according to NICE, CCG and local guidelines and take consent for patients undergoing this therapy. To offer rapid access to specialist advice and disease management through telephone support and flare up appointments in the nurse clinic. To maintain a comprehensive functional database of IBD patients for clinical, audit and research purposes. To attend the Multidisciplinary Gastroenterology Team Meetings, document recommendations and refer to other medical or surgical specialities as appropriate. To act as the patient advocate at all times. Education, Training and Development To plan, implement and evaluate teaching sessions for ward staff involved in caring for IBD patients. To act as a resource for pre and post registration nurses. To provide opportunities to shadow the IBD CNS, e.g. student nurses, newly qualified nurses, nurses on induction, dieticians, medical students. To demonstrate expert knowledge of the literature regarding IBD by regularly reviewing the literature and applying to practice. To undertake responsibility for own professional development, undertake appropriate activities, attend relevant conferences to update clinical knowledge and skills and apply to practice. To recognise own limitations whilst working within the Scope of Professional Practice. Research and Audit To actively participate in clinical audits and monitor clinical effectiveness of the role. To use audit results to promote and drive change as appropriate. To actively disseminate good practice. To participate in research projects and submit papers for publication Managerial Responsibilities To maintain accurate records to ensure patient care is appropriate and that audit can be undertaken. Work across boundaries with medical and surgical teams to ensure the best care for IBD patients To work with On Call teams to arrange medical admissions for urgent patients to avoid A&E delays. To deal with and record incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, visitors etc when such issues are witnessed by or involve the nurse specialist. To attend and actively contribute to meetings To help manage the IBD database and any future upgrades. Professional and Legal responsibilities To be conversant with policies and procedures relating to Fire and Health and Safety. To report all accidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist in investigations of complaints and accidents as required. To uphold the principles of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. To be conversant with the hospitals Policies and Procedures. Job description Job responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical To provide a specialist nurse led service working autonomously in providing care for IBD patients and their families according to agreed protocols or as specified by the Consultant Gastroenterologists. To clinically assess patients attending for routine follow-up of IBD, to monitor and evaluate disease activity, ordering and interpreting specific haematological, endoscopic investigations or imaging as indicated. To recommend treatment, alter drug dosages according to management guidelines. To encourage adherence with recommended management plans. To promote a better understanding of IBD for patients and their carers through education, providing support and counselling where necessary in order to empower them to take a greater part in self managing their disease. To follow-up and monitor patients taking Azathioprine and other immunosuppressive agents. To request and act on blood results to avoid complications and improve safety. To co-ordinate requests for biological therapy with Consultants, pharmacy and CCG. To counsel IBD patients pre biological therapy and perform immunity screening and improve safety with biological therapy. To check and prepare patients for biological therapy according to NICE, CCG and local guidelines and take consent for patients undergoing this therapy. To offer rapid access to specialist advice and disease management through telephone support and flare up appointments in the nurse clinic. To maintain a comprehensive functional database of IBD patients for clinical, audit and research purposes. To attend the Multidisciplinary Gastroenterology Team Meetings, document recommendations and refer to other medical or surgical specialities as appropriate. To act as the patient advocate at all times. Education, Training and Development To plan, implement and evaluate teaching sessions for ward staff involved in caring for IBD patients. To act as a resource for pre and post registration nurses. To provide opportunities to shadow the IBD CNS, e.g. student nurses, newly qualified nurses, nurses on induction, dieticians, medical students. To demonstrate expert knowledge of the literature regarding IBD by regularly reviewing the literature and applying to practice. To undertake responsibility for own professional development, undertake appropriate activities, attend relevant conferences to update clinical knowledge and skills and apply to practice. To recognise own limitations whilst working within the Scope of Professional Practice. Research and Audit To actively participate in clinical audits and monitor clinical effectiveness of the role. To use audit results to promote and drive change as appropriate. To actively disseminate good practice. To participate in research projects and submit papers for publication Managerial Responsibilities To maintain accurate records to ensure patient care is appropriate and that audit can be undertaken. Work across boundaries with medical and surgical teams to ensure the best care for IBD patients To work with On Call teams to arrange medical admissions for urgent patients to avoid A&E delays. To deal with and record incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, visitors etc when such issues are witnessed by or involve the nurse specialist. To attend and actively contribute to meetings To help manage the IBD database and any future upgrades. Professional and Legal responsibilities To be conversant with policies and procedures relating to Fire and Health and Safety. To report all accidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist in investigations of complaints and accidents as required. To uphold the principles of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. To be conversant with the hospitals Policies and Procedures. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Desirable IBD Module Course History taking and assessment course Non medical prescriber Experience and Knowledge Essential The relevant post registration experience at B5 and above Knowledge of IBD Up to date research and evidence based practice Desirable Experience of audit Personal Skills Essential High standards of clinical performance Teaching patients and staff at all levels Able to manage databases Effective communicator Desirable Able to analyse results and act on accordingly Person Specification Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Desirable IBD Module Course History taking and assessment course Non medical prescriber Experience and Knowledge Essential The relevant post registration experience at B5 and above Knowledge of IBD Up to date research and evidence based practice Desirable Experience of audit Personal Skills Essential High standards of clinical performance Teaching patients and staff at all levels Able to manage databases Effective communicator Desirable Able to analyse results and act on accordingly 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 Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital Lewsey Road Luton LU4 0DZ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)