Job overview
The Band 7 post-holder functions as a specialist autonomous practitioner, leading the operational delivery of OPAT/IV pathways, ensuring clinical governance, supporting workforce development, and collaborating with acute, community and specialist teams. The post is instrumental in enabling timely discharge, preventing unnecessary admission, and supporting patients to safely receive complex IV or antimicrobial therapy in outpatient and community settings.
Main duties of the job
The Band 7 OPAT & IV Therapy Nurse Specialist provides advanced clinical expertise, leadership and coordination for all OPAT and Trust-wide IV therapy pathways. They ensure safe, effective care for patients requiring parenteral/ Oral antimicrobials, IV therapies and vascular access support outside the inpatient ward environment.
The Band 7 acts as a senior decision-maker, service representative and clinical leader.
Responsibilities include:
• Specialist assessment for OPAT suitability
• Coordination of outpatient reviews, home visits and remote monitoring
• Management of complex IV regimens, including monitoring, toxicity screening and step-down planning
• Senior oversight of remote monitoring data and patient escalations
• Central line assessment, troubleshooting and Trust‑wide in-reach support (as confirmed in Trac queries)
They also support antimicrobial stewardship decision-making in partnership with microbiology and pharmacy.
Operational leadership duties include:
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
1. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
2. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
3. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
4. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
5. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
6. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
7. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
8. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
9. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
10. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications & training
Essential criteria
11. Post registration qualification & relevant experience in OPAT / IV therapy
12. Degree / equivalent qualifications or working towards
13. Full and current driving driving licence
14. Access to a functioning care to perform home visits / cross site working
15. Teaching qualification
Desirable criteria
16. Working towards masters or equivalent study
17. Non medical prescriber
18. Leadership qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
19. RGN - with at least 5 years post registration experience
20. OPAT/ IV therapy and central venous access device (CVAD) experience at a senior level
21. Leadership skills & knowledge
22. Ability to cannulate & perform venepuncture ( +/- using ultrasound)
23. Experience in database creation, filtering data, other IT system management
24. Writing concise reports for presentation or dissemination to others via teams or face to face
Desirable criteria
25. Ability to insert mid / PICC lines independently
Skills, Abilities & knowledge
Essential criteria
26. Excellent interpersonal skills & engage within MDTs. Able to present in a group
27. Experience in conducting / investigating RCA/ Incidents
28. Knowledge & understanding of NMC/ Professional standards
29. Knowledge & understanding of current national standards in OPAT / IV therapy
30. IT literate on digital platforms being used in healthcare settings
Special circumstances
Essential criteria
31. Across site working (including community visits)
32. Access to a car and able to drive independently
33. Able to work weekends / bank holidays
34. Able to work flexible hours if service needs require
BHT values
Essential criteria
35. Communicates openly, honestly & professionally. Actively promotes team working & building strong relationships
36. Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self awareness with a desire to grow
37. treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued
38. Consults others and listens to their views / opinions. Enables others to take the initiative
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges