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Job summary

Main area
Respiratory
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
197-AJ-R-7772
Employer
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Univsersity Hospital Lewisham
Town
Lewisham
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum plus HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
27/01/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust logo

Senior Respiratory CNS

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Respiratory Care is an advanced practice nurse who provides expert clinical leadership, specialist assessment, and evidence-based interventions to patients with acute and chronic respiratory conditions. This role focuses on improving patient outcomes through advanced clinical practice, education, consultation, and service development. The CNS collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality respiratory care across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Responsibilities include leading respiratory care initiatives, managing complex patient cases, developing clinical protocols, supporting staff education, and promoting best practices in areas such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and oxygen therapy.

 

CNS within respiratory service will support the individuals referred with suspected lung cancer. Additionally, you'll be involved in the virtual surveillance of lung nodules, adhering to The British Thoracic Society guidelines. Your tasks will include requesting CT scans, responding to findings, coordinating with the diagnostic MDT, and keeping patients informed about their results while referring them to appropriate services when necessary.

 

Main duties of the job

 

  • To work with the multidisciplinary team across an integrated pathway of care to deliver quality standards in line with NICE guidance.
  • To work with the nurse specialist team to ensure that all patients have equitable access to investigations, treatment and follow-up care. 
  • To work with the nurse/midwifery specialist team to develop best practice in line with NICE guidance.
  • To work with the team to develop guidelines to enhance optimal management of patients.
  • To collect appropriate data against NICE guidance.  To use audit as a tool to improve practice and evaluate services.
  • To work with the team to implement recommendations from National audits and benchmarking.
  • To identify objectives for own professional development which reflect local and national service needs, accessing advice, guidance and support as appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

  1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
  2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
  3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
  4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
  5. Making equalities mainstream

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 To demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills and share this with others to positively influence patient care.

  • To develop own specialist clinical knowledge and skills and participate in the development of other staff
  • To reflect on own practice through clinical supervision/mentorship
  • To provide a comprehensive nursing service for patients with conditions within the specialty.
  • To work in close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team across the pathway in order to meet the needs of patients and their famillies, and to aim for seamless care.
  • To use clinical judgement and skills in decision making to manage this caseload of patients. To develop skills of history taking and physical assessment to direct appropriate intervention.
  • To assist in the development of the service
  • To vigorously promote the patient’s participation in decision-making, enabling informed choice of treatment.  
  • To contribute to any audits requested by the Trust, Commissioners or Nationally.
  • To identify deteriorating patients and take the appropriate action to manage the situation, liaising with interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
  • To obtain valid and effective consent from patients prior to any investigations and treatment. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • RN – Part 1
  • Teaching and assessing qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Advanced Respiratory Module
  • Advanced assessment module
  • Counselling course

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum two years post-registration experience
  • Experience in patient advocacy
  • Ability to prioritise and organise workload
  • Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
  • Excellent time management and prioritisation skills
Desirable criteria
  • Some experience working with patients with a variety of respiratory diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Computer Skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of the relevant local and national guidance
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Knowledge of respiratory anatomy and physiology
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of respiratory conditions including Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer
  • Understanding of the Rapid Respiratory pathway
  • Knowledge of research and audit
  • Understanding of spirometry as a diagnostic tool

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Creative, lateral thinker
  • Flexible and positive approach to work and learning
  • Effective decision-making skills
  • Full driver’s license and access to a car

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDCapital Nurse, LondonVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoTimewise helps businesses to attract and develop the best talent through flexible working.No smoking policyLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationAge positiveDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.NHS Rainbow badgePrince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

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

To ensure fairness and manageable shortlisting processes, some vacancies may have an application cap. This means the vacancy will close once a set number of applications have been received even if this happens before the advertised closing date.

We recommend applying as early as possible to avoid missing out. All applications received before the cap is reached will be considered equally and assessed against the person specification.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Natasha Olibert
Job title
Lead Respiratory Nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07880087112
Additional information

Available from 08:00-16:00, Monday to Friday

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