Job overview
An exciting opportunity has risen to join the pain service at St Richards, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals where the team will support you in developing into an autonomous clinical nurse specialist in pain management.
We are looking for an experienced staff nurse who has worked within the acute sector and has a proven track record of being dynamic and highly motivated. We are looking for someone who welcome opportunities for further develop their clinical skills and take on further academic studying.
The post holder will be working at Southlands, Worthing and St Richards hospital sites throughout the week. The Trust do offer a staff bus for transport between sites.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will develop into an advanced specialist nurse providing clinical expertise, professional advice, support, guidance and education to patients, carers and staff on pain management issues. Following training the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will be expected to practice autonomously, provide expert and holistic nursing care, support and empower all healthcare professionals and patients, by providing leadership, delegating responsibility, authority, and accountability on pain management issues by provision of education, specialist advice and clinical expertise. Education is a significant component of the Clinical Nurse Specialist’s role. Will offer a positive attitude to the continual improvement of the service underpinned by research, evidence-based practice and audit. Consequently, support the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist in development of the service provision. The post holder must agree to undertake the non-medical prescribing course when deemed appropriate.
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. 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, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - 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
Please see job description and person specifications for details related to the role and responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered nurse level 1 and Diploma in nursing.
Desirable criteria
2. Educated to degree level
3. None medical prescribing qualification
Teaching qualification & experience
Essential criteria
4. Recognised teaching qualification within nursing.
5. Teaching record including pre and post registration nurses. Proven ability to teach clinical skills and experience in formal teaching. Evidence of Supervision of qualified staff
Desirable criteria
6. Teaching record including pre and post registration doctors/students
Comprehensive assessment skills
Essential criteria
7. Evidence of comprehensive assessment skills (medical history taking, physical examination)
IT skills
Essential criteria
8. Excellent IT skill - ability to produce high quality power point presentations and comprehensive use of Word.
Desirable criteria
9. Confident in using excel and experienced in using Patient Track Live, Affinity, EPMA and order using Oracle.
Management skills
Essential criteria
10. Deputised for ward manager/sister. Evidence of managing change. Evidence of contribution to develop guidelines and conduct audits.
Desirable criteria
11. Formally deputised for ward manager/sister
12. Experience in writing guidelines/polices
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Extensive post registration experience in acute setting with experience as team leader. With clear evidence of commitment to CPD. Good knowledge of current issues in professional practice related to acute/chronic pain management.
Desirable criteria
14. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Team working
Essential criteria
15. Evidence of working collaborative
Communication skills
Essential criteria
16. Demonstrate written and verbally communication in a clear and logical fashion. Evidence of excellent communication skills to promote effective communication with patients, relatives, careers and wider MDT. Ability to overcome or manage any barriers to communication
Professional demeanour
Essential criteria
17. Able to remain calm under pressure. Ability to deal with complex and emotional situations, make decisions under pressure, innovative problem solving and awareness of own limitations.
18. Enquiring and non-judgemental approach to patients and staff. Including ability to recognise own and others work related stress and pressures and take appropriate action.
19. Contribute to the development of a safe, pleasant, and friendly non-threatening working environment for staff and patients alike. With good understanding of the importance of acknowledgement and reward in valuing staff.
20. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
21. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
22. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Research
Essential criteria
23. Ability to apply research findings to clinical problems.
Desirable criteria
24. Ability to critically review research
Dealing with difficult situations
Essential criteria
25. Be able to deal with highly complex and very sensitive issues, which require excellent communication skills and empathy.
Time management
Essential criteria
26. Possess the ability to organise, prioritise own time and workload on a day-to-day basis often with changing priorities with complex and demanding workload. Including evidence of ability to meet deadlines.
Knowledge base
Essential criteria
27. Good knowledge base related to pharmacology and physiology. Including Knowledge of current research related to acute/chronic pain management.
Financial
Essential criteria
28. Awareness of financial constraints and need for effective use of resources.
Interpersonal skills
Essential criteria
29. Demonstrates interpersonal and influencing skills. With evidence of managing change.
Knowldge of pain service
Essential criteria
30. Good understanding of what a pain service does, the type of patients that are seen and some of the issues that are dealt with.
Practice
Essential criteria
31. Demonstrate high standards of practice and specialist clinical skills. Including experience in dealing with acute and chronic pain management.
Desirable criteria
32. Knowledge of dealing with elderly frail patients and the impact this has on pain management plans
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