Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
The Band 7 Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) in Maternity and Antenatal Care plays a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary management of women with pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) throughout pregnancy. The post holder will lead the diabetes maternity and antenatal team, providing clinical leadership and supervision to a small, dedicated team including midwives and other healthcare professionals. They will ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care through expert clinical practice, patient education, and collaborative working with the wider maternity and diabetes services. This role also contributes significantly to service development, audit, and the ongoing professional development of staff to improve outcomes for mothers and babies affected by diabetes.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide advanced clinical expertise in the management of diabetes during pregnancy (Type 1, Type 2, and GDM).
Participate in antenatal diabetes clinics alongside obstetricians, endocrinologists, dietitians, and midwives.
Support initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and insulin pump therapy.
Provide individualised education and self-management support to women with diabetes throughout the perinatal period.
Monitor maternal glycaemic control and fetal growth, adjusting treatment plans in collaboration with the MDT.
Support postpartum follow-up for women with GDM and arrange appropriate referrals for continued care.
Act as a clinical leader and resource for midwives, nurses, and other professionals involved in maternity care.
Provide guidance on best practice, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines for diabetes in pregnancy.
Contribute to the development and implementation of diabetes-related policies and care pathways within maternity services.
Deliver education for women with GDM and pre-existing diabetes.
Provide in-service training and updates for maternity staff on diabetes management.
Support professional development of junior staff and student nurses.
Participate in audits, clinical effectiveness projects, and research activities related to diabetes and pregnancy.
Monitor outcomes such as maternal glycaemic control, birth weight, delivery outcomes, and neonatal complications.
Use audit findings to inform service improvement and redesign.
Act as a key liaison between obstetric, diabetes, and primary care teams.
Communicate complex clinical information to patients in a clear, empathetic, and culturally sensitive manner.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient records in line with local and national guidelines.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide advanced clinical expertise in the management of diabetes during pregnancy (Type 1, Type 2, and GDM).
Participate in antenatal diabetes clinics alongside obstetricians, endocrinologists, dietitians, and midwives.
Support initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and insulin pump therapy.
Provide individualised education and self-management support to women with diabetes throughout the perinatal period.
Monitor maternal glycaemic control and fetal growth, adjusting treatment plans in collaboration with the MDT.
Support postpartum follow-up for women with GDM and arrange appropriate referrals for continued care.
Act as a clinical leader and resource for midwives, nurses, and other professionals involved in maternity care.
Provide guidance on best practice, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines for diabetes in pregnancy.
Contribute to the development and implementation of diabetes-related policies and care pathways within maternity services.
Deliver education for women with GDM and pre-existing diabetes.
Provide in-service training and updates for maternity staff on diabetes management.
Support professional development of junior staff and student nurses.
Participate in audits, clinical effectiveness projects, and research activities related to diabetes and pregnancy.
Monitor outcomes such as maternal glycaemic control, birth weight, delivery outcomes, and neonatal complications.
Use audit findings to inform service improvement and redesign.
Act as a key liaison between obstetric, diabetes, and primary care teams.
Communicate complex clinical information to patients in a clear, empathetic, and culturally sensitive manner.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient records in line with local and national guidelines.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
- Level 7 Post Grad Cert (Min 60 Credits), Master's Degree within relevant speciality or equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant speciality training, experience or portfolio
- Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice
- Provide evidence of leading learning in practice
- Evidence of experience and completion of all band 6 competencies within relevant speciality
- Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialist area
- Evidence of change Management, leadership and innovation
- Clinical experience at Band 6 or equivalent within relevant speciality
- Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
- Provide evidence of supporting / managing and supervision of a range of learnings in practice
Desirable
- Counselling / advanced communication skills qualification / training
- Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
- Multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of nurse-led care / clinics in own practice
- Team leadership role
- Awareness of own leadership skills/style
- Registered as an independent prescriber
- Leadership Qualification / training
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
- Level 7 Post Grad Cert (Min 60 Credits), Master's Degree within relevant speciality or equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant speciality training, experience or portfolio
- Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice
- Provide evidence of leading learning in practice
- Evidence of experience and completion of all band 6 competencies within relevant speciality
- Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialist area
- Evidence of change Management, leadership and innovation
- Clinical experience at Band 6 or equivalent within relevant speciality
- Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
- Provide evidence of supporting / managing and supervision of a range of learnings in practice
Desirable
- Counselling / advanced communication skills qualification / training
- Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
- Multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of nurse-led care / clinics in own practice
- Team leadership role
- Awareness of own leadership skills/style
- Registered as an independent prescriber
- Leadership Qualification / training
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
