Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and enthusiastic Endocrine Specialist Nurse to join our friendly, forward thinking Diabetes and Endocrinology Team.



We are looking for an individual who is motivated, flexible and able to work independently, supporting staff and patients in a wide range of endocrinology conditions alongside a team of endocrinology consultants



To provide nurse specialist advice for patients with endocrine conditions



Shortlisting will commence on the 21st July 2025



The post holder will see and review patients in an outpatient clinical setting undertake:



Clinic assessment and review



Nurse Prescriber



Order relevant tests for condition/diagnosis



Participate in MDT discussions where necessary



Liaise with Consultant colleagues



Provide Teaching and Education sessions for both patients and colleagues



Undertake Audit & research necessary to the role



Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.



We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our services:

Acute Care



Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.



Primary Care



Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.



Community Services



Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.



Specialist Regional Services



We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018

Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme



KEY DUTIES



CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES



Autonomously, assess triage and diagnosis endocrine conditions and review those with longstanding endocrine conditions, including complex patients as outpatients and inpatients, recommending or initiating appropriate treatment within agreed protocols and guidelines.

Independently order, undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and results for endocrinology patients.

Be proficient in venepuncture and cannulation and IV drugs.

Manage, lead and report on key areas within the endocrine service maintaining regular audit and updates on service development at appropriate Governance Meetings and relevant CCG bodies or appropriate agencies as needed.

Assess, plan, co-ordinate, implement and evaluate evidence-based endocrinology care in conjunction with relevant health care professionals.

Liaise and support primary and secondary care clinicians in relation to management of endocrine clinical care and management.

Develop, undertake and manage clinical sessions, clinical telephone support clinics and patient education sessions relating to endocrine conditions and medication titration.

Be proficient in assessing and prioritising internal and external referrals for endocrine conditions.

Ensure compliance with specific regulations in regard to endocrinology drugs and administration and record keeping within area of work.

Act as a senior support and role model supporting and mentoring junior staff.

Act as a non-medical prescriber (if has appropriate qualification) within clinical area and competence.

Be flexible and willing to undertake hours of work needed to further develop the endocrine service

Manage and hold the Endocrine emergency support line, dealing with calls as appropriate



ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES



Ensure compliance with specific endocrinology protocols, standards and clinical paperwork including patient experience satisfaction and diabetes/endocrinology related surveys.

Undertake and provide telephone consultation/support as appropriate to patients and health care professionals.

Support with the completion of the Diabetes/Endocrine Annual Specialist Service Report

Support with the Diabetes/Endocrine Annual Quality Ward Round (QWR)

Support and maintain information on the diabetes/endocrine intranet/internet to ensure that information if updated and relevant to support primary care professionals and patients.



TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES



Provide specialist knowledge, advice and support to colleagues, health care professionals, patients, carers and relatives around endocrine related conditions.

Lead and contribute to the multidisciplinary education and training provision/programme for health care professionals involved in caring for patients with endocrinology across organisational boundaries.

Develop co-ordinate and participate in endocrinology education and training programmes and evaluate their effectiveness, supporting junior members of staff as needed.

Raise awareness of endocrinology and related conditions through health promotion activities and organised events throughout the trust and wider community.

Provide support and education to patients, allowing them to develop self-management skills as appropriate to their endocrine condition

Provide verbal and written advice to patients and carers with endocrine conditions, around care management as required in hospital and in preparation for discharge.

Facilitate an appropriate learning environment for students and junior staff providing direct supervision, mentorship, training and evaluation to students and new starters within the trust.

Participate in regular clinical education sessions within the diabetes/endocrine unit.



PROFESSIONAL LEAD AND DEVELOPMENT



Identify, contribute to, or lead on the development and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines, standards and protocols as required.

Develop and maintain required specialist clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of patients with endocrine and related conditions.

Participate and contribute to regular MDT and clinical supervision sessions as and when required

Attend annual appraisal to discuss and identify training and development needs as part of a Personal Development Plan. .

Support other specialist nursing colleagues in their continuous professional development including peer and clinical supervision

Update and maintain own clinical knowledge and competence by attending post education courses, mandatory training, study days, workshops and conferences to keep up to date with best clinical practice.

Maintain regular links with other Endocrine Specialist Nurses at both local and national level.

Lead on and contribute to the development of agreed protocols, integrated care pathways, standards and audit tools that monitor practice.

Be competent with ESR and line management systems as required

Support the Diabetes Nurse Consultant in areas of line management including appraisal, complaints handling, serious investigation reporting, risk assessment and staff development and peer review as appropriate.

Lead and participate in Nurse Meetings (departmental and across the trust)



RESEARCH & AUDIT



Adhere to policies, procedures and protocols relevant to endocrinology demonstrating understanding of evidence-based care, including where to obtain evidence.

Conduct/participate in national and local audit related to endocrinology evaluating and implementing best practice as appropriate.

Will lead and participate in research projects alongside senior members of the MDT.

Will lead and participate in audit projects relevant to clinical area and practice.

Will support junior members of the team with research and audit as appropriate.

Attend local, national meetings and conferences to network and share best practice.

Ensue diabetes specialist nursing practice is evidence based and reflects audit and research outcomes.

Maintain clear concise, legible and contemporaneous patient records at all times in line with Trust policy and the Standard for Recording Keeping.

Understand internal and external assessments such as CQC, COSHH, and NHSLA.

Participate in the implementation of initiatives to improve adult diabetes care and support practice development to ensure a high-quality service.



COMMUNICATION



Communicate effectively with all members of the diabetes and endocrinology multi-disciplinary team.

Establish and maintain continuing relationships with patients, cares and relatives which are essential to providing effective long-term care.

Support patients and their families communicating sensitive condition related information and ensure they receive required information to enable them to participate in their care delivery

Support patients and their families during diagnosis of endocrine conditions and treatment ensuring understanding of their condition and any related complications

Engage with patients and carers to gain views on service delivery and development

Communicate complex and sensitive information to other health care professionals in primary and secondary care.