Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a registered nurse or physiotherapist to join the West Norfolk Respiratory & Oxygen Team. This is a highly specialised role working with people living with respiratory disease and/or requiring oxygen therapy in the community. The work is diverse across community, clinic and hospital settings with a strong team focus on holistic, patient centred care. You will work over a 5 day working week (Mon-Fri) and must hold a full and valid driving licence with access to a vehicle; travel across West Norfolk daily and occasionally to other localities is required.
You will act as an expert respiratory resource and support qualified health professionals, students and apprentices as required, including ad-hoc teaching. Staff development is actively encouraged within a well-integrated, supportive team focused on delivering high quality respiratory care.
The applicant will have proven respiratory experience in either the community or acute settings or both, including a minimum of 3 years NHS experience, with a keenness to share and learn new knowledge to provide evidence-based practice. The post acts as a specialist practitioner delivering advanced holistic assessment, treatment, evaluation, and advice to patients with respiratory disease (COPD, ILD and Bronchiectasis) and those requiring oxygen assessment.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Professional & Clinical
* Provide an advanced level of specialist care and therapeutic options for patients with respiratory disease (COPD, ILD & Bronchiectasis) face to face or via telephone.
* Instigate diagnostic testing such as CXR, lung function tests, blood tests and action results as appropriate.
* Prompt clinical triage of referrals into the Respiratory & Oxygen service from primary, community, acute care and patient self-referrals, offering specialist advice, home visits and clinic appointments to avoid hospital admission/readmission.
* Caseload management including discharge management and continuing specialist support for patients requiring ongoing complex care and respiratory disease.
* Identify and assess patients admitted to hospital with acute COPD exacerbations, referring onto Virtual Ward as appropriate.
* Facilitate discharge of patients admitted to hospital with acute COPD exacerbations, including referral to Virtual Ward where appropriate.
* Provide triage telephone advice during working hours to Virtual Ward regarding respiratory/oxygen management.
* Arrange timely follow up in the community for patients discharged from hospital, including those discharged from Virtual Ward following AECOPD or requiring weaning of oxygen therapy.
* Conduct respiratory assessments in the community for referred patients, including unstable disease and urgent exacerbation management (admission avoidance) and signpost to other services.
* Plan and deliver individual, effective, efficient, and high-quality treatment programmes for respiratory patients in the community, incorporating health coaching and self-management aligned to patient goals.
* Evaluate progression of a patient’s goals and adjust the management plan as necessary.
* Refer patients to tertiary centres for interventions (e.g., Hyperinflation MDT, ILD MDT) and for NIV/sleep assessments.
* Conduct oxygen assessments including capillary blood gas testing in various settings.
* Provide monitoring and reviews (including risk) of patients prescribed oxygen therapy, including those discharged from hospital; titration of ambulatory oxygen therapy and spirometry interpretation.
* Deliver a key role in the Respiratory MDT across primary, community and secondary care.
* Communicate highly complex information sensitively to patients and families, including advance care planning and end-of-life care, using appropriate paperwork/pathways.
* Provide palliative support/advice for health professionals and patients with respiratory disease.
* Liaise with other professionals (health, social, voluntary sector) in assessment and management of respiratory patients, including shared care with tertiary centres.
* Maintain and develop advanced clinical competence; identify gaps in knowledge and pursue education/information (including guidelines and peer discussion).
* Promote, facilitate, and disseminate research and evidence-based practice relating to respiratory disease; act as a role model of clinical excellence to other professionals.
* Utilise Independent Prescribing to enhance quality and delivery of patient care, ensuring practice is evidence-based in line with local and national guidance.
* Educate and empower patients and carers to recognise early signs of change, providing self-management plans and digital options/apps.
* Offer health promotion advice and support to families and patients, including smoking cessation; provide respiratory education and specialist advice for other healthcare professionals, including students.
* Demonstrate effective time management and prioritisation of workload.
Management & Leadership
* Provide day-to-day management for the delivery of the local Respiratory and Oxygen Services.
* Manage a group of staff, including work allocation, performance/attendance issues, recruitment, appraisal and development.
* Provide leadership, clinical supervision, and development opportunities for other team members and healthcare professionals.
* Ensure timely and effective communication with the Clinical Lead on all professional matters.
Financial responsibilities
* Ensure effective use of resources, both financial and human.
* Maintain robust budget management as delegated from Clinical Lead.
* Manage and present data and service information reports such as performance, activity and data error reports.
Information management
* Ensure clinical information/records are maintained and activity data recorded in a timely manner as per trust policy.
Education & Professional Development
* Develop, provide, and evaluate education and literature for patients and their support network.
* Participate in networking opportunities at local, regional, and national levels.
* Lead and deliver local Respiratory Meetings supporting other health professionals involved in respiratory care.
* Facilitate and advise the local Integrated Breathe Easy group.
* Prepare and deliver educational sessions to peers and other health professionals.
Operational Delivery
* Be accountable for prioritising, planning, and delivering workload for self and others to meet service targets and KPIs, including data collation.
Project Management
* Lead and deliver additional projects within the respiratory service as required.
Risk & Governance Management
* Record near misses and risks per trust policy; report to Clinical Lead (including oxygen risk assessment and use of DATIX).
* Complete appraisals for other team members; attend mandatory training as per policy.
* Responsible for the safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
Service Development
* Lead and participate in multi-disciplinary work to develop respiratory pathways and services.
* Collaborate in developing care pathways for respiratory disease management/treatment.
* Work with multi-agency teams to develop services for people with respiratory disease, providing expert opinion.
Research & Development
* May undertake surveys or audits; may participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing as required.
This advert closes on Wednesday 18 Feb 2026.
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