Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
IBD Clinical Nurse Specialist
Closing date: 17 June 2026
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and self‑motivated individual with experience in the management of patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
The post holder will work within an established service, work autonomously and within the multidisciplinary team with the support of Gastroenterologists and other nurse specialists. They will run nurse‑led clinics, manage a caseload of in‑patients, and communicate with community health services. New developments include safely switching patients to biosimilar drug therapies.
Roles include patient assessment, clinical examination, developing clinical management plans, independent prescribing, monitoring therapies, encouraging compliance, providing patient education and psychological support, and ensuring effective communication to improve quality of life and disease control.
Requirements: at least 6 months experience in working with inflammatory bowel disease patients, band 6 or higher, and registration as a nurse.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide specialist nursing expertise and develop clinical practice within the multidisciplinary team.
* Manage a caseload in the IBD service, plan and prioritise own workload as an autonomous practitioner.
* Liaise, refer and advise a range of professionals regarding ongoing care and management of patients.
* Support staff across clinical areas to ensure patient needs are assessed, care planned, implemented and evaluated, with consultation and involvement of patients/carers.
* Ensure accurate nursing records and documentation meet NMC Code of Conduct.
* Develop and implement specialised patient care pathways using advanced clinical reasoning.
* Provide highly specialist advice concerning treatment of IBD/complex gastroenterology patients and families.
* Initiate patient referrals to other health professionals and outside agencies as appropriate.
* Work with medical staff on patient assessment; refer appropriately for changes.
* Collaborate with surgeons to plan surgical interventions and coordinate review and admission for surgical procedures.
* Provide intensive support, information and advice in crisis, including diagnosis, first hospital admission, change in condition, terminal care and bereavement.
* Provide diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the endoscopy unit.
Management Responsibilities
* Design, develop and implement clinical protocols, guidelines and information leaflets locally and nationally.
* Manage own activity, arrange, record and monitor work, practise effective time management.
* Initiate and lead discussions in weekly multidisciplinary gastroenterology team meetings.
* Evaluate needs of the IBD nursing service and plan for future expansion with lead nurse.
* Work within all Human Resources policy frameworks.
Education and Training
* Assess patients’ knowledge and provide personal or small group education programmes to empower independent disease management.
* Organise or participate in teaching programmes for staff caring for IBD patients.
* Teach and consult on IBD content as required.
* Serve as a resource for IBD within the Trust, PCTs and external agencies.
* Maintain personal development and develop a clinically significant professional, educational and research strategy for the service.
Research
* Initiate and lead audit research studies; present findings in local and national meetings.
* Participate in research initiatives associated with service.
* Seek out audit results and evidence from other bodies.
* Ensure clinical nursing practice is evidence based.
* Collaborate with Gastroenterology Network to stay updated on emerging research.
Professional and Personal Development
* Continuously update clinical and theoretical knowledge of IBD through conferences and literature review.
* Work with multidisciplinary team to align service with BSG recommendations.
* Maintain personal and professional profile.
* Remain flexible and adaptable to service needs and evolve role accordingly.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse
* Specialist qualification or post‑registration training in specialty.
* Evidence of ongoing professional development.
* Master's degree or equivalent.
Knowledge & Experience
* Advanced clinical assessment skills.
* Conflict and complaints handling experience.
* Policy development experience.
* Knowledge of recruitment, selection, appraisal, discipline, grievance, absence and performance systems.
* Understanding of interagency structure.
* Mentorship and preceptorship track record.
* Research experience.
* Teaching experience.
* Knowledge of infection control, health and safety, risk assessment, child protection systems.
Skills
* Up‑to‑date clinical skills for ward services.
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Leadership and staff motivation.
* Change agent ability.
* Co‑ordination and liaison with MDT members.
Other
* Enthusiastic approach to work.
* Ability to work independently and as a team member.
* Confidence to inspire confidence.
* Effective implementation of best practice.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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