Job summary
- Main area
- OPAT Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 179-8288956-I
- Employer
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- WSH
- Town
- Bury St Edmunds
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 pro rata, per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
OPAT Clinical Nurse Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic nurse to join the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
We are a team of innovative clinical nurse specialist who work alongside a number of multi- professional teams including the virtual ward team , to support the delivery and coordinate the effective, efficient, and safe care of patients on defined IV Antibiotic/ Complexed oral antibiotic treatment pathways that are medically optimised across both the OPAT service and virtual ward platform to receive this care closer to home in the community setting . Supporting both early discharge and admission avoidance.
Main duties of the job
♦ To work alongside the multidisciplinary team including the virtual ward across the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to drive the delivery of effective, efficient, and safe antimicrobial treatment to patients in the community including their own homes.
♦ To undertake a range of duties to ensure the effective delivery of care to both OPAT and Virtual ward IV antibiotic/ complexed oral antibioic (COpAT) pathway patients including assessing, treating and monitoring them whilst on outpatient IV Antibiotics, complexed oral antibiotics and post antibiotic treatment. This can including visiting patients in their own home.
♦ After appropriate training you will be able to carry out venepuncture, cannulation and support the care and troubleshooting of central venous access devices to include PICC/ Mid lines, Hickman lines and porta Cath’s.
♦ To deputise in the Lead OPAT CNS’s absence
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached the full job description and person specification for the full details on this job role.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NMC Registration
- Mentorship and training
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Diploma in Nursing
Desirable criteria
- Degree or working towards degree
- ILS
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Previous experience at Band 5 level
- Research Awareness
Desirable criteria
- Management experience
- Teaching experience
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Mentorship Skills
- IV Drug Administration
- IT Skills
- Communication Skills
- Organisational Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Willing to undertake further training as required.
Desirable criteria
- Venepuncture
- Cannulation
- Care of central venous access devices
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Leadership Qualities
- Team Player
- Commitment to delivering high quality service
- Flexible approach to working hours
- Time management skills
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Zoe Drage
- Job title
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01284 712783
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