Job overview
**** THIS VACANCY IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UHSUSSEX EMPLOYEES****At University Hospital Sussex, we are seeking a high calibre individual with strong management skills, analytical capabilities, and pragmatic approach to join our spinal service for a secondment. We are looking to recruit 1 Band 7 spinal practitioners (nurse or physiotherapist) for 18 hours per week to support complex spinal surgery in line with GIRFT recommendations.
This role is vital to delivering high-quality accessible and timely care for patients with complex spinal conditions. We are looking for someone driven to exceed expectations, confident in decision making and committed to team support.
This post will support the emergency admission pathway and as part of the elective procedure process, from pre-assessment and post procedural care, ensuring all standards are met, promoting a patient centred and evidence based care pathway.
If you are inspired by this opportunity, have strong leadership abilities, experience looking after spinal patients, sound interpersonal skills and a desire to improve the quality and service for your patients, then we would love to hear from you. In return, we can offer you the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise by working in a supportive specialist environment alongside leading experts and be at the forefront of best practice.
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties and Responsibilities - Clinical
Responsible for coordinating and delivering patient care, influencing practice within the MDT. Work independently to manage spinal patients and ensure safe care. Practice autonomously, empowering staff and patients through education, expert advice, and clinical support.
Skilled in comprehensive patient assessment, applying theoretical knowledge and experience to determine needs and deliver care. Develop patient-led treatment plans using clinical reasoning, evidence, and a range of interventions.
Facilitate nurse/MDT-led discharge for specific consultant groups, following agreed protocols. Lead MDT follow-up clinics within an expanded scope of practice under consultant supervision. Play an active role in spinal oncology and MDTs, liaising with other specialties involved in patient care.
Coordinate multidisciplinary interventions through case management, team meetings, and integrated hospital/community teams. Ensure accurate documentation and maintain records and databases appropriately.
Apply clinical governance frameworks to guide practice, engage in supervision, and reflect on clinical work. Use sound clinical judgment to analyse and interpret a range of options for patient care.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical: Core Nursing/Health professional responsibilities
1. Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation of care and
2. Interprets data relevant to the patient’s condition and
3. Identifies patient problems and needs with the patient, their carers, senior nursing staff and other staff as
4. Identify the priorities of care for patients and realistic goals for their care
5. Change care plans and goals according to evaluation and discussion with the multidisciplinary
6. Maintain accurate documentation to facilitate the continuity of care for patients transferred to other
7. Promote a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and
8. Maintain the patient’s respect, dignity and privacy and to act with kindness and courtesy to all members of the public.
9. Ensure practice is evidence based and is in line with local policies and
10. Liaise with SCI centres for patient with SCI
11. Liaise with oncology/haematology/palliative team for appropriate management of patient with MSCC
12. Telephone follow up and wound support.
Service Co-Ordination
Neurosurgery Morning Meeting
13. Identify and document new Spine admissions
14. Document patients on White board waiting for transfer
15. Liaise with Consultant Spinal Surgeon on- call
Ward Round/Patient Care
16. Accompany Spine team on Ward Round
17. Liaise with
18. Set up MDT’s to help reduce LOS.
19. Liaise with patients and families
20. Ensure all out-lying patients seen
21. Ensure ASIA scores and bowels regimes are completed
22. Liaise with out-lying teams (including nursing staff) and offering help and advice on the management of Spine patients e.g. collar care, TLSO, halo provide support to patients and other health care professionals regarding management of spinal orthotic devices.
23. Arrange for appropriate investigations as needed
24. Arrange appropriate follow-up for patients discharged from Emergency Department and wards.
25. Telephone patients at home with results / plan as it becomes available
26. Help obtain notes for patients (TCI, in-patient admissions, ward attenders)
27. Chase results and liaise with appropriate teams
28. To obtain copies of notes, X-rays & scans of patients to be repatriated from other Hospitals or abroad
29. To send copies of notes, X-rays & scans of patients to be repatriated to other hospitals or abroad
30. Liaise with Stoke Mandeville / SRC / other rehabilitation units for the care and safe transfer of patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Patients at Home/Other Hospitals
31. To liaise with patients at home awaiting admission for surgery
32. To liaise with surgeons, helping to arrange their theatre lists and informing the patients of the dates TCI
33. To ensure that patients are fit for surgery, arranging pre-operative clerking, MRSA screens, ECGs & blood tests
34. To ensure blood tests & MRSA screens are reviewed pre op,
35. To liaise with spinal admission bookers to ensure theatre procedures and ITU/HDU beds are booked where appropriate
36. To explain admission procedure & NBM instructions to patients prior to admission
37. To help arrange transport for patients TCI when necessary
38. To be a point of contact for patients
Clinical operations
39. To liaise with Clinical Operations regarding daily discharges and finding beds for ER admissions as they occur
40. To liaise with Clinical Operations team re patient repatriations into & out of RSCH
Management
41. Contribute to service development and delivery and business planning with the ward or department manager and senior
42. Lead and attend departmental meetings and/ or multi-disciplinary meetings as
43. To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate and evaluative professional documentation, including initial assessment, treatment planning and intervention that demonstrate evaluation, analysis and clinical reasoning in the provision of patient
44. Adhere to all local standard operating procedures and
45. Contributes to the induction, and development of team
46. Submit and interpret accurate and timely statistical data and information as
47. Demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and ensure its effective application to the work place with guidance from departmental management when needed.
Leadership
48. Acts as a role model to other members of the team, in regard to demonstrating professional behaviours and exemplary conduct.
49. Responsibility for the development and implementation of standards, protocols of care, care pathways and policies to achieve best practice based on local and national audit and available evidence
50. Advise new medical staff of local
Communication
51. Have excellent communication skills with patients, their relatives and other healthcare professionals either in a one to one or group setting. Providing and delivering complex and sensitive information, including treatment options, diagnosis, and handling bad
52. Contributes to the creation of a high-performing working atmosphere in all departments by actively listening to others and encouraging feedback about the
Training and Education
53. Provide and promote health education and advice on treatments available within specialist area.
54. Contribute to the setting and monitoring of standards in nursing/ health professional practice and service
55. To provide advice, teaching and training sessions to patients, carers and members of the multi-disciplinary
56. Ensure education programs are in place to empower nurses to deliver optimum care to spinal
57. To attend mandatory training
58. To attend training courses relevant to Spinal Surgery
59. To give telephone advice on conditions & treatment to patients & their relatives and referring, if appropriate, to the surgical team
60. To liaise with ward staff on outlying wards re treatment & nursing of their patients
61. To teach new staff & students about care & treatment for spinal conditions
62. Helping staff with spinal procedures they may not be experienced with g. collar care, halo application and care
Audit and Research
63. Assist nurse/health professional specialists in recording and storing data for audit and research purposes.
64. Use research findings to develop evidence based/best
65. Actively participate in any specialist
66. To plan and undertake the evaluation of practice and performance through clinical audit and studies and make recommendations for change and clinical effectiveness
67. To participate in quality assurance, service audit and outcome measures, devising suitable tools for the specialist service.
68. Use IT systems and databases to provide and analyse accurate reports containing statistical and clinical information as requested by management to use for audit purposes to improve and evaluate existing services.
69. To ensure awareness of current research/audit data relevant to Spinal Surgery
70. To attend QSPE meetings
71. Work with the Spinal team to develop protocols and guidelines to support clinical
Personal and Professional Development
72. Devise and implement a personal development plan and participate in relevant study days.
73. Maintain a reflective portfolio over
74. Accountable for own practice and takes every opportunity to sustain and improve professional knowledge and competence.
75. Ensure that practice is in accordance with the NMC/ HPC Code of Professional Conduct and other appropriate NMC/ HPC and statutory guidelines.
76. Ensure professional development plan is developed and worked towards, including awareness of new developments within the profession.
77. Attending relevant post-graduate training and incorporating this knowledge into practice using the Knowledge and Skills Framework, CPD and PDP, as
Other Role-Specific Duties
78. Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service
79. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the ward or department and the
Risk Management
The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.
Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the
80. Major Incident Policy
81. Fire Policy
82. Information governance
and should make themselves familiar with the ‘local response’ plan and their role within that response.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.
Person specification
Qualification/Experience
Essential criteria
83. NMC or PT qualification
84. Previous experience in similar role
85. Skills to support patients
86. Clear about professional accountibilty
87. Evidence of improvement project
88. Degree/Diploma level
89. Level 7 Post Grad certificate / Masters degree or equivalent/ working towards E
90. Member of Musculosketal association of Chartered Physiotherapist
Desirable criteria
91. Mentorship
92. Ability to manage own case load
93. Experience of nurse led clinic
94. Development of care pathways
95. Teaching qualification (ENB 998, C&G 7307, PGCE or equivalent)
96. Registered Non- medical prescriber
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
97. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
98. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications