County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Liver Nurse

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to appoint an experienced and motivated Band 7 Liver Specialist Nurse to provide advanced clinical expertise and leadership within the liver pathway. This role is central to the management of patients with complex liver disease, including decompensated cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, HCC surveillance and alcohol-related liver disease.

The post holder will deliver autonomous clinical assessment, co-ordinate care across the multidisciplinary team, and drive service improvement to ensure safe, effective and high-quality patient care. In addition to direct patient management, the role provides senior clinical oversight, education and governance support within the speciality.

This is a key role in maintaining patient safety, performance standards and continued development of our hepatology service.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced and clinically confident nurse who will lead the specialist nursing provision for patients with liver disease. The successful candidate will work autonomously, managing a complex caseload while acting as a key point of contact for patients, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team.

The role involves coordinating care, supporting timely decision-making, and ensuring patients receive safe, evidence-based management from diagnosis through to long-term follow-up. The post holder will work closely with consultants and allied professionals to streamline pathways, improve patient experience and reduce avoidable admissions.

In addition to direct clinical care, the Band 7 Liver Specialist Nurse will provide professional leadership within the speciality, supporting service development, contributing to audit and governance processes, and promoting continuous quality improvement. The role also includes education and support for ward staff and junior colleagues to enhance liver disease knowledge and clinical confidence across the organisation. Strong clinical judgement and excellent communication skills are essential for this position.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

Date posted

30 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-340

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Current 1st level NMC registration

Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree (UK equivalent)

Masters level study or willingness to complete

Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience

Clinical skills accreditation

Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete

Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice

Experience of leading a team

Experience of care delivery

Evidence of innovation in practice

Evidence of change management

Evidence of practice development

Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients

IT skills including PowerPoint, Word and Outlook

Effective presentation/ report writing skills

Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues

Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge of how to facilitate learning

Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues

Knowledge and participation of research and clinical audit

Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics

Proven interpersonal skills

Mentorship skills

Counselling and appraisal skills

Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post

Time management

Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care

RGN recognised by the NMC

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Current 1st level NMC registration

Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree (UK equivalent)

Masters level study or willingness to complete

Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience

Clinical skills accreditation

Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete

Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice

Experience of leading a team

Experience of care delivery

Evidence of innovation in practice

Evidence of change management

Evidence of practice development

Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients

IT skills including PowerPoint, Word and Outlook

Effective presentation/ report writing skills

Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues

Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge of how to facilitate learning

Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues

Knowledge and participation of research and clinical audit

Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics

Proven interpersonal skills

Mentorship skills

Counselling and appraisal skills

Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post

Time management

Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care

RGN recognised by the NMC

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.

Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code.
  • Understand requirements for NMC professional revalidation
  • Up to date understanding of the scope of and role of the Nurse in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional help and advice
  • Will provide leadership in the delivery of care for people in their care and act in best interests of people, putting them first and providing care that is person-centred, safe and compassionate.
  • Advanced knowledge of liver disease management and current evidence-based practice.
  • Ability to undertake comprehensive clinical assessment and make autonomous decisions within scope of practice.
  • Strong understanding of risk management, safeguarding and clinical governance principles
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex discussions.
  • Ability to prioritise a complex workload and manage competing demands effectively

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards.
  • Knowledge of national hepatology guidance and surveillance standard
  • Leadership or management training relevant to a senior specialist role.

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Hold a valid UK driving licence to travel across hospital sites where required.
  • Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

Qualifications

Essential

  • Nursing Degree or equivalent qualification leading to NMC registration to part 1 of the NMC register.
  • Valid NMC PIN
  • Clinical Skills accreditation

Desirable

  • Evidence of continual professional development.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post-registration experience within hepatology, gastroenterology or a related acute medical specialty.
  • Demonstrable experience managing patients with complex, chronic conditions, including those requiring high levels of clinical judgement and autonomous decision-making.
  • Experience of coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams and services.
  • Experience supporting, teaching or mentoring junior staff and colleagues.
  • Evidence of involvement in service development, audit or quality improvement initiatives.
  • Able to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Previous experience working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or in an advanced practice role within hepatology.
  • Experience managing patients with cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, HCC surveillance or alcohol-related liver disease.
  • Experience contributing to governance processes, incident review or clinical audit presentation.

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (adult or Child) on part 1 of the NMC register
  • Valid UK NMC PIN
Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code.
  • Understand requirements for NMC professional revalidation
  • Up to date understanding of the scope of and role of the Nurse in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional help and advice
  • Will provide leadership in the delivery of care for people in their care and act in best interests of people, putting them first and providing care that is person-centred, safe and compassionate.
  • Advanced knowledge of liver disease management and current evidence-based practice.
  • Ability to undertake comprehensive clinical assessment and make autonomous decisions within scope of practice.
  • Strong understanding of risk management, safeguarding and clinical governance principles
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex discussions.
  • Ability to prioritise a complex workload and manage competing demands effectively

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards.
  • Knowledge of national hepatology guidance and surveillance standard
  • Leadership or management training relevant to a senior specialist role.

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Hold a valid UK driving licence to travel across hospital sites where required.
  • Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

Qualifications

Essential

  • Nursing Degree or equivalent qualification leading to NMC registration to part 1 of the NMC register.
  • Valid NMC PIN
  • Clinical Skills accreditation

Desirable

  • Evidence of continual professional development.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post-registration experience within hepatology, gastroenterology or a related acute medical specialty.
  • Demonstrable experience managing patients with complex, chronic conditions, including those requiring high levels of clinical judgement and autonomous decision-making.
  • Experience of coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams and services.
  • Experience supporting, teaching or mentoring junior staff and colleagues.
  • Evidence of involvement in service development, audit or quality improvement initiatives.
  • Able to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Previous experience working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or in an advanced practice role within hepatology.
  • Experience managing patients with cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, HCC surveillance or alcohol-related liver disease.
  • Experience contributing to governance processes, incident review or clinical audit presentation.

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (adult or Child) on part 1 of the NMC register
  • Valid UK NMC PIN

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Samantha Atkinson

Samantha.atkinson5@nhs.net

07350374279

Details

Date posted

30 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-340

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Supporting documents

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