Main area ICP & Therapies Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (shifts across a 7 day service). Job ref 210-2025-652. Employer: Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Site: Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester. Salary: £38,682 - £46,580 pa pro rata (Yearly). Closing date: 27/10/2025 23:59.
Rapid Response Nurse
Band 6
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust values clinical excellence and an environment where staff are valued and supported. The Trust is implementing a strategy focused on continuous improvement to improve lives and provide excellence in healthcare through partnership and innovation. The organisation promotes inclusive employment, flexible working where possible, staff engagement and mutual benefit across services. Applications from colleagues from local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities are welcome, especially those underrepresented in the region.
Job overview
Working Part time: 30 hours per week
An exciting opportunity to join the Rapid Response team covering Cheshire West and Chester. There will be a new base at Tarporley Community Hospital as part of expansion and integration.
Roles involve working with Community Support Workers, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team.
The main objective is to expedite and facilitate safe and timely discharges from wards and emergency department areas, and provide resettlement, rehabilitation, care and medication support at home.
The post holder will maintain a strong patient-centered focus, be adaptable and autonomous, relate well to colleagues across disciplines in hospital and community, and work under pressure.
Main duties of the job
Desirable skills and experience include:
* General nursing experience in acute or community settings
* Medication management
* Knowledge of chronic conditions
* Palliative care
* Wound care skills
* Knowledge and experience of community services
You will identify and assess patients located on wards and in the emergency department for suitability for home-based Rapid Response intervention. You will expedite discharges and provide assessment, nursing care, advice and information to patients, relatives and carers in the home or appropriate care setting. You will support Community Support Workers and Therapy staff to maximise patients’ independence and safety and to maintain patients in their home where possible.
Working for our organisation
The Trust provides services to West Cheshire and Welsh patients supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Services are delivered from three locations:
* The Countess of Chester Hospital: 438 general and acute beds
* Ellesmere Port Hospital: 56 beds for rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient care
* Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: base for community services serving the local rural population
The Trust employs over 5,916 staff (headcount) and delivers acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes residents in Chester and West Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and parts of Flintshire.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details. Recruitment is based on competence and values as part of the person specification.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from salary over the first three months of employment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service; a small annual fee (£16 per year) applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above. Applicants are advised to apply early as vacancies may close before the advertised date.
Person specification
Qualification
* RN Degree/Diploma
* RN post preceptorship teaching and assessing qualification or equivalent
* Membership of professional body
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience across a range of post-registration areas
* Evidence of CPD and reflective practice
* Knowledge of current best practice in Nursing
* Understanding of professional ethics and their application in practice
* Evidence of participation in health, safety and risk management
* Knowledge of clinical governance principles
* Experience across a range of clinical areas at Band 5 level
* Evidence of audit and/or research work
* Experience of community services and discharge planning
Skills
* Effective communication (verbal and non-verbal)
* Team working and group collaboration
* Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
* Ability to organise and respond to complex information and work under pressure
* Supervisory skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, a DBS disclosure will be necessary.
Enhanced DBS checks that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. If errors are identified, a new application will be required and the DBS fee must be paid again. The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from salary over the first three months of employment.
Overseas Candidates
The Department of Health and Social Care has published guidance to support overseas candidates seeking work in health and care in the UK. This includes applying for work in the UK and sponsorship considerations on GOV.UK.
Overseas candidates are responsible for travel expenses. From 6 April 2017, Tier 2 / skilled worker applicants must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Employer certification / accreditation
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 requires DBS disclosure.
Name: Gina Gerrard. Job title: Team Leader Rapid Response. Email: gina.gerrard@nhs.net. Telephone: 01244 365240.
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