Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pain Specialist Nurse

The closing date is 07 July 2025

Job summary

Due to the retirement of our current post holder, we are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Band 7 Senior Pain Specialist Nurse to join our innovative, forward-thinking integrated pain service. You will be an expert resource, health educator and be able to demonstrate your leadership and expert clinical knowledge. Clinical responsibilities include inpatient acute pain and outpatient chronic pain clinics.

You must be able to work within organisational structures across Bedfordshire Hospitals.

By joining us, we will give you the support, development and direction you need to be an expert senior pain specialist nurse.

Main duties of the job

The pain team within Bedfordshire Hospitals are dedicated and hardworking. This is a 5 day service working Monday to Friday, with potential to expand in the future.

We work closely as a team of nurses, pain anaesthetic consultants and allied health care professionals.

Developmental and training opportunities are available for team members both internally & externally.

This role involves inpatient pain and chronic outpatient clinics. Education and training of all health care professional is a requirement of the role.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

23 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

418-MED3813-JB

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be an autonomous senior specialist nurse in pain management. They will act as an expert role model in pain management strengthening links between education and practice; this includes leading on the development and continuation of audit and research projects relating to pain management. The post holder will be expected to take a lead role in the development and provision of the pain service and will work closely with all the members of the multi professional team to ensure patients receive seamless integrated pain management care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The Post holder will support the lead pain nurse in the management of the band 6 team members and be responsible for the effective use of resources within the clinical team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical practice:

To work with the multi-disciplinary team to provide optimum pain relief and symptom management and to provide a high level of care to patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

To identify and support developments and initiatives in the practice setting to strengthen and promote best practice in pain management.

To autonomously take responsibility for the clinical care of patients by providing comprehensive assessment, planning and evaluation in all aspects of pain management.

Autonomously manage a caseload of patients both in nurse led outpatient chronic pain clinics and for inpatients referred to the service.

To provide advice on pain and symptom management to nursing, medical and surgical teams across the trust.

To act as an expert resource, on all aspects of pain and symptom control, using current research to underpin clinical practice.

Daily review of postoperative patients receiving continuous epidural pain relief, patient control analgesia, local anaesthetic infusions, regional blocks and other patients who have undergone major surgery or those highlighted to the pain team via the referral process.

To provide medical and surgical teams and primary care services as appropriate with individualised pain management plan for all acute and chronic pain inpatient/outpatient referrals. This should include advice on appropriate pharmacological management, and information on non-pharmacological techniques. If appropriate this will include the ability to prescribe appropriate medications as a qualified non-medical prescriber.

The post holder will be expected to be involved in the treatment of patients suffering from pain which is acute and chronic in an inpatient and outpatient setting.

To participate in the provision of pain medication reviews, trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and acupuncture in outpatient nurse led clinics if required with appropriate training and support.

The post holder will support the lead pain nurse in the planning, development and delivery of the trust wide pain service.

Ability to develop clinical understanding and practice with effective assessment skills and to possess advanced assessment skills appropriate to pain management role.

Be able to demonstrate the ability to work at level 7 (expert) within the RCN pain KSF for the nursing team.

Education, Training & Development

To support staff education in clinical skills in managing pain.

Lead in the teaching and development of healthcare professionals, patients and carers in the area of pain management.

Working alongside the lead nurse and other pain specialist nurses to facilitate learning in practice, applying theory and research / evidence to practice.

Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to junior or new clinical nurse specialists as required.

To lead in the organisation of the teaching of nursing and other disciplines in the practice setting and participate in practice based teaching appropriate to pain management role.

Assess nursing staffs and other allied health care professionals application of theoretical knowledge to clinical practice in relation to pain management to ensure quality of care and safe practice.

To assist in the teaching of pain link nurses to promote best practice in pain management.

Be actively involved in the trust delivery of induction programmes in relation to pain management training and the training of invasive methods of pain control.

Management Responsibilities

To be responsible for effective resource management.

To attend or participate in appropriate meetings or sub-group and to deputise for the lead nurse where appropriate.

To assist in maintaining records of clinical training activity.

To adhere to procedures related to the reporting of clinical incidents and drug errors via the in Phase reporting systems and to support the lead nurse in investigations and root cause analysis as appropriate.

To uphold the tenets of clinical governance.

To always communicate effectively and maintain a harmonious working environment.

With other members of the pain team evaluate patient feedback and support the modification/change/development of the service in response.

Ensure the safe use and effective management of pain service equipment and supplies and monitors their appropriate utilisation.

Manages own caseload, coordinates patient journey across divisions and organisational boundaries.

Lead in development of local policies, protocols and procedures in accordance with local and national standards in relation to pain management.

Professional and Legal Responsibilities

Ensures own and others practice is in line with NMC Code at all times.

To be conversant with policies and procedures relating to infection control, cardiac arrest, fire, major incident and health and safety.

To report all accidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist in investigations of complaints and accidents as required.

Ensures own and others professional/educational/training needs are identified and maintains own and others mandatory training and professional updating in order to maintain clinical and professional credibility.

Maintain professional portfolio and take responsibility for self-development through the appraisal system and work towards completing agreed personal development plan.

Maintain clinical study to fulfil professional registration and show evidence of continuing professional development pertaining to pain management.

Be a member of a professional association and attend/present at regional/national meetings and conferences as required.

Research and Audit

With all members of the pain team fosters an environment where practice is research/ evidenced based and participates in undertaking audit to ensure that this is effective.

To carry out clinical audit and research including patient feedback and incorporate results into practice development.

Promote the use of research and evidence based practice enabling staff to question their approach to pain management.

Utilise research findings in the delivery of teaching and patient care and disseminate relevant research to wards and departments.