Job summary
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nurse Specialist (Subject to Agenda for Change)
Department: Gastroenterology
Band 7 £47,810 to £54,710 per annum pro rata if part-time
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the Gastroenterology team as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist, delivering high quality, patient centred care across both nurse led and multidisciplinary pathways.
The role focuses on clinical assessment, independent prescribing, and the safe management of therapies, alongside providing rapid access advice and ongoing support via the IBD helpline.
Working autonomously within a supportive medical and nursing structure, the post holder will play a key role in improving patient outcomes, contributing to service development, and supporting research, audit, and education across the department.
Please note that this post is subject to an initial probationary period of six months, extendable up to a period of 12 months. A DBS check may be required for new employees. MKUH promotes an inclusive workforce and proactively welcomes applications from underrepresented groups in our community.
Interview date: 25 March 2026
Main duties of the job
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist (IBD CNS) provides a Trust-wide specialist nursing service focused on the comprehensive management of patients with IBD.
The role encompasses autonomous clinical practice, including the assessment, review, and monitoring of patients in both nurse-led and parallel clinics, and the coordination of diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. Core duties include managing the IBD telephone helpline, supporting rapid-access care for disease flares, and ensuring safe monitoring for patients on immunosuppressive and biologic therapies.
The post holder collaborates closely with gastroenterologists, ward teams, community services, and national IBD support networks, acting as a specialist resource and patient advocate. Responsibilities extend to maintaining accurate clinical records and databases, contributing to audit, research activity, and service development, and promoting high standards of care aligned with Trust values and national guidelines.
The role also includes delivering teaching, supporting staff development, and participating in governance, incident reporting, and quality-improvement processes to ensure safe, evidence-based, patient-centred care.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
To provide a specialist nurse led service working autonomously in providing care for IBD patients and their families according to agreed protocols or as specified by the Consultant Gastroenterologists.
To clinically assess patients attending for routine follow-up of IBD, to monitor and evaluate disease activity, ordering and interpreting specific haematological, endoscopic investigations or imaging as indicated.
To confidently assess the needs of the IBD patient, undertaking comprehensive physical assessment to support safe, appropriate and effective clinical decisionmaking.
Research The post holder will:
To actively participate in clinical audits and monitor clinical effectiveness of the role.
To use audit results to promote and drive change as appropriate.
To actively disseminate good practice.
To participate in research projects and submit papers for publication
Management and Organisational role The post holder will:
To maintain accurate records to ensure patient care is appropriate and that audit can be undertaken.
To deal with and record incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, visitors etc when such issues are witnessed by or involve the nurse specialist.
Professional Development and Education The post holder will:
To plan, implement and evaluate teaching sessions for staff involved in caring for IBD patients.
To act as a resource for pre and post registration nurses.
To provide opportunities to shadow the IBD CNS, e.g. student nurses, newly qualified nurses, nurses on induction, dieticians, medical students.
Health and Safety
Ensure moving and handling is carried out in line with correct procedures.
Undertake work activities, which are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
Manage risk assessment and take appropriate action to minimise risks, in relation to legislation, policies and procedures.
Service Improvement
Offer suggestions, ideas, views for improving IBD service
Actively participate in auditing the care delivered to IBD patients
Assist in creating a climate where excellence in practice flourishes, respecting and valuing individuals for their contribution to the service.
Quality
Organise, prioritise and adjust own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
Ensure plans of care are reviewed, evaluated and updated in accordance with the patients clinical condition and that all documentation is completed to the required standard
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
To provide a specialist nurse led service working autonomously in providing care for IBD patients and their families according to agreed protocols or as specified by the Consultant Gastroenterologists.
To clinically assess patients attending for routine follow-up of IBD, to monitor and evaluate disease activity, ordering and interpreting specific haematological, endoscopic investigations or imaging as indicated.
To confidently assess the needs of the IBD patient, undertaking comprehensive physical assessment to support safe, appropriate and effective clinical decisionmaking.
Research The post holder will:
To actively participate in clinical audits and monitor clinical effectiveness of the role.
To use audit results to promote and drive change as appropriate.
To actively disseminate good practice.
To participate in research projects and submit papers for publication
Management and Organisational role The post holder will:
To maintain accurate records to ensure patient care is appropriate and that audit can be undertaken.
To deal with and record incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, visitors etc when such issues are witnessed by or involve the nurse specialist.
Professional Development and Education The post holder will:
To plan, implement and evaluate teaching sessions for staff involved in caring for IBD patients.
To act as a resource for pre and post registration nurses.
To provide opportunities to shadow the IBD CNS, e.g. student nurses, newly qualified nurses, nurses on induction, dieticians, medical students.
Health and Safety
Ensure moving and handling is carried out in line with correct procedures.
Undertake work activities, which are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
Manage risk assessment and take appropriate action to minimise risks, in relation to legislation, policies and procedures.
Service Improvement
Offer suggestions, ideas, views for improving IBD service
Actively participate in auditing the care delivered to IBD patients
Assist in creating a climate where excellence in practice flourishes, respecting and valuing individuals for their contribution to the service.
Quality
Organise, prioritise and adjust own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
Ensure plans of care are reviewed, evaluated and updated in accordance with the patients clinical condition and that all documentation is completed to the required standard
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Minimum 1 years at Band 6 Level
- Specialty knowledge/Clinical experience
- History taking and Assessment qualification
- V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing qualification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post registration experience at Band 6.
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Evidence of advanced communications skills
- Experience of audit and research
- Awareness of current relevant national service frameworks/guidance.
- Experience and knowledge of caring for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including understanding disease presentation, management pathways, and holistic patient needs.
Skills
Essential
- IT literate
- Teaching/assessment and presentation skills
- Organisation and negotiation skills
- Effective communication
- Leadership and motivational skills
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to work autonomously and of a team
- Flexible attitude to working
- Exemplar written communication skills
Desirable
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Personal and people development
Essential
- Calm and objective
- Personally and professionally mature
- Recognition of own limitations
- Demonstrates enthusiasm
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Self-motivated
Communication
Essential
- Assertive, confident, yet approachable
- Diplomatic
- Skilled communicator
- Negotiator
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Minimum 1 years at Band 6 Level
- Specialty knowledge/Clinical experience
- History taking and Assessment qualification
- V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing qualification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post registration experience at Band 6.
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Evidence of advanced communications skills
- Experience of audit and research
- Awareness of current relevant national service frameworks/guidance.
- Experience and knowledge of caring for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including understanding disease presentation, management pathways, and holistic patient needs.
Skills
Essential
- IT literate
- Teaching/assessment and presentation skills
- Organisation and negotiation skills
- Effective communication
- Leadership and motivational skills
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to work autonomously and of a team
- Flexible attitude to working
- Exemplar written communication skills
Desirable
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Personal and people development
Essential
- Calm and objective
- Personally and professionally mature
- Recognition of own limitations
- Demonstrates enthusiasm
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Self-motivated
Communication
Essential
- Assertive, confident, yet approachable
- Diplomatic
- Skilled communicator
- Negotiator
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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
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).
