Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a AFC Band 7 vascular access/OPAT Clinical Nurse Specialist to join the Infectious Diseases Directorate. The core function of the role is to:
Provide equitable care to patients in relation to vascular access and self-administrating IVA (Community OPAT).
To actively lead and manage the Vascular Access service across the Trust by coordinating the provision of a vascular access device assessment and placement service in response to need within the Trust
The post holder will be a senior qualified nurse with an extensive record of nursing experience within the field of vascular access and OPAT. They will have a record of career long learning and education, and they will require leadership, interpersonal relationship and communication skills.
Main duties of the job
Key Results and deliverables:
Maintain and develop expert knowledge on new and current trends in nursing and specialist vascular access and community OPAT care.
Continue to develop specialist advanced extended clinical skills in response to service needs.
Demonstrate specialist clinical knowledge and understanding to an expert level.
Comply with and ensure compliance from other staff across UHT of policies and procedures laid down by the Trust.
Understand the different roles and responsibilities of all members of the multidisciplinary team and develop integrated working practices.
Be responsible for maintaining a professional profile
Advise on educational opportunities that will facilitate the development of advanced skills and knowledge of specialist nurse role
Support and develop aspiring nurses with an interest in advanced vascular access and OPAT care.
Represent the Trust and make presentations specifically related to area of expertise at local and national forums and conferences.
Expand and develop the role to meet the changing needs of patients working within the parameters of the Code of Professional Practice, Trust and NMC guidelines.
Be responsible for own professional and clinical development by maintaining an ongoing programme of professional development at Masters Level to sustain and develop underpinning theory and knowledge.
Contribute to professional and clinical development throughout the specialist area.
Contribute to team meetings to discuss and disseminate pertinent information in relation to the specialist area which is conducive to forward planning of the service.
Use advanced clinical history taking, line placement, and interpretation skills to assess patients needs in terms of diagnosis and treatment plans and treatment venue
Working for our organisation
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
·Your Leadership Impact
·Leading your Team to Success
·Leading Into the Future
·Service Improvement for Beginners
·Developing your Service Improvement Skills
·Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
·Explore leadership within the NHS
·Promote Trust values and behaviours
·Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
·Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Advanced level of knowledge in vascular access
2. Commitment to the needs of the service including a flexible and adaptable approach in the work environment/ work practices and initiate changes in practice according to best evidence
3. Effectively prioritises and co-ordinates own work
4. Has complex problem solving and assessment skills and can communicate with clinicians at all levels
5. Clinical & leadership skills in speciality using high level analysis and judgment skills to manage patient effectively
6. Efficient time management skills and has the ability to work under pressure to meet the needs of patients/ service
7. Ability to work autonomously / independently or as a member of a team/ MDT
8. Commitment to adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures and to contribute to an implement policy in own area and propose changes Ability to lead/manage staff and the service to optimise resources
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. Registered General Nurse
10. Degree/ Diploma, specialist training to masters level
11. Masters in nursing or willing to work towards
12. Clinical skills for advanced practitioners or willing to work toward
13. Non-Medical Prescribing qualification or willing to work toward
14. Recognisable teaching qualification
15. Current NMC Registration
Experience
Essential criteria
16. Extensive experience working within all aspects of vascular access and
17. Commitment to evidence-based practice
18. Ability to work within the boundaries of the NMC Code of Professional conduct.
19. Current teaching experience
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.