University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Clinical Nurse Specialist Vascular Access/COPAT

The closing date is 03 August 2025

Job summary

This is an opportunity to join our small team in vascular Access in Brighton. We are an innovative group of nurses who are constantly seeking to explore improved ways of working.

We seek out latest evidenced based practice to ensure we are working in an intelligent manner.

Best practice is always our aim.

Main duties of the job

To work as an autonomous practitioner- maintain a knowledge base that reflects contemporary issues in IV therapy to enable adherence to policy and guidelines and promote best practice with regard to all aspects of IV Therapy.

To act as an expert to other healthcare professionals on the management of IV therapy providing specialist clinical advice, guidance and support as required.

Independently assess, plan implement and evaluate care delivered to patients admitted to COPAT virtual ward.

To ensure that all nursing procedures are carried out in accordance with UHsussex NHS Trust policies taking appropriate action in emergency situations.

Ensuring that accurate and timely nursing records are maintained, monitoring standards and taking appropriate corrective action as necessary.

To develop team members to work in an unsupervised capacity throughout all areas of the speciality.

To prioritise own work and that of others to ensure the service is managed effectively. 13.To possess excellent IV related skills including cannulae insertion, venepuncture, midline /picc insertion using USS and IC ECG.

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7340994-JUL25

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Manages the provision of specialist nursing care to both adult and paediatric in-patients requiring IV therapy and those under the care of OPAT. Shares responsibility for further development and management of the IV/OPAT service, leading project development for the PRH site.

Ensures that patients are identified and admitted to the OPAT service thereby facilitating timely discharge from the Hospital.

Assesses individuals for appropriate vascular access devices and places as required to ensure effective delivery of IV therapy (PICCs/Midlines/PVCs)

Leads a weekly virtual ward round with the Community IV Nurses and the Microbiology Consultant- communicates effectively and concisely with community and multidisciplinary teams

Builds and maintains functional professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team. Ensures all administrative work is completed correctly and in a timely manner. Maintains accurate records including data entry to all relevant databases.

Implements further development and expansion of clinical education programmes across the trust to staff and patients.

Undertakes research and leads clinical audits, critically appraise working practises within the trust to ensure quality is maintained.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Ensures that patients are identified and admitted to the OPAT service thereby facilitating timely discharge from the Hospital.

Assesses individuals for appropriate vascular access devices and places as required to ensure effective delivery of IV therapy (PICCs/Midlines/PVCs)

Leads a weekly virtual ward round with the Community IV Nurses and the Microbiology Consultant- communicates effectively and concisely with community and multidisciplinary teams

Implements further development and expansion of clinical education programmes across the trust to staff and patients.

Undertakes research and leads clinical audits, critically appraise working practises within the trust to ensure quality is maintained.

Person Specification

Essential

PICC insertion
Use of IC ECG and Ultrasound scan for line placement
Teaching skills eg PgCert
Leadership experience
Extensive post qualification experience

Desirable

Independent prescribing

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Person Specification

Essential

PICC insertion
Use of IC ECG and Ultrasound scan for line placement
Teaching skills eg PgCert
Leadership experience
Extensive post qualification experience

Desirable

Independent prescribing

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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.

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

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)