Clinical Nurse Specialist in Complex Needs
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 fulltime 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 of the job
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.
Job 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 escalated 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.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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