For more information, contact Richard Bunn (Head of Complex Needs) richard.bunn1@nhs.net 01924 542102
About The Role
The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Complex Needs plays a vital role in improving the safety, quality, and personalisation of care for patients with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, delirium, mental health needs, and those requiring enhanced observations. Working as an expert clinical resource, the postholder provides specialist assessment, care planning, and intervention to ensure that individuals with complex cognitive or behavioural needs receive compassionate, equitable, and appropriate care across all clinical areas. The role focuses on early identification of risk, proactive care adjustments, and evidence‑based interventions that reduce harm, support reasonable adjustments, and promote a positive patient experience.
In this full‑time permanent Band 6 position, the nurse will support multidisciplinary teams through specialist advice, training, and coaching to build staff confidence and capability in caring for patients with complex needs. They will contribute to safety and quality improvement initiatives, lead on care planning for high‑risk individuals, and collaborate closely with families and carers. By championing person‑centred care, inclusive communication, and environmental adjustments, the Complex Needs Specialist Nurse helps ensure that those with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, delirium, or mental health conditions receive the highest standard of safe and effective care throughout their hospital journey.
Main duties
* Provide specialist clinical assessment and support for patients with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Dementia, Delirium, Mental Health needs and those requiring Enhanced Care across all MYTT services.
* Support staff in developing, implementing and reviewing enhanced observation plans, personalised safety plans and alternatives to restrictive practice.
* Deliver expert advice on behaviour support strategies, sensory needs, trauma informed approaches, distress reduction and positive behaviour support.
* Provide specialist guidance on the Mental Health Act and best interest decision making.
* Lead the implementation and monitoring of reasonable adjustments, ensuring accessibility and equity for patients with complex needs.
* Advise on communication strategies including accessible information, communication aids, non verbal communication and individual communication profiles. Conduct specialist assessments relating to cognition, communication, sensory needs, functioning, risk and trauma history.
* Support timely identification of patients with LD, autism, dementia or mental health needs through system flagging and early assessment.
* Work collaboratively with MDTs, mental health liaison, LD/autism community teams, dementia services, safeguarding teams and external agencies to coordinate care.
* Contribute to complex discharge planning, ensuring coordinated multidisciplinary involvement and safe, person centred discharge pathways.
* Support quality improvement initiatives related to complex needs.
* Deliver training and coaching in Complex Needs.
* Provide real‑time in situ coaching for staff managing complex or high‑risk patients.
* Participate in audits relating to Complex Needs.
* Ensure equitable access to diagnostic investigation, treatment and specialist input for patients with complex needs.
* Act as a clinical link for LeDeR learning, LD & Autism Improvement Standards, Enhanced Care improvements and dementia quality initiatives.
* Provide support and advocacy for families and carers, ensuring meaningful involvement in care decisions.
* Support implementation of behavioural, cognitive and sensory care plans, ensuring consistency across clinical teams.
* Contribute expert clinical advice to incident reviews and patient safety meetings where complex needs are relevant.
* Provide specialist prescribing practice as an Independent Non Medical Prescriber (where applicable) within scope of competence and Trust medicines policy.
* Complete annual NMP declarations and comply with the MYTT non medical prescribing governance framework.
Key Responsibilities
* Will have continuous delegated responsibility for a caseload of patients and will provide an effective and patient focused service which is considerate on needs of users and providers.
* Organises, prioritises and evaluates workload based on accepted referral criteria and discharge criteria in line with operational protocols.
* Will provide clinical, social and psychological support to their patients using excellent communication skills, education and health promotion to enable them to reach their optimum level of independence and health.
* To provide specialist advice, supervision and support to their defined caseload and peers.
* Responsible for providing evidence based practice.
* Will have responsibility for supporting the team leader in leading identified and agreed aspects of the service, in the development of care systems, protocols and guidelines working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team and developing excellent interdepartmental relationships with excellent communication with a focus on quality improvement.
* Will ensure cost effective use of all resources and appropriate governance management.
* Promote programmes of health education and health promotion relevant to service.
* Work within national policy frameworks relevant to the service and trust local guidance.
* Review, interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations and point of care testing which may effect, change to individual care plans, liaising with appropriate medical staff where necessary.
* Deal effectively and professionally with patient / service user issues collaborating with PALS as appropriate and take a proactive approach to resolving issues and learning from complaints and escale when unable to resolve.
* To maintain accurate appropriate and concise patient records within agreed databases and electronic systems.
* Contribute to the multi‑professional approach in the management of patients / carers within the specialist area in relation to ongoing care needs.
* Act as a resource for specialist knowledge for clinical staff on wards / departments.
* Ensure effective multi‑disciplinary communication.
* Support the management function of the department by provision of reports and information as required.
* Provide mentorship and preceptorship as required to junior staff in the team or students on placement.
* Ensure you work within an agreed divisional work plan.
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work‑life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently under‑represented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application Guidance
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our Benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our .
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