District Nurse/Senior Community Nurse

District Nurse/Senior Community Nurse (Band 6)

The closing date is 22 April 2026.

We are seeking a proactive and inspirational clinical leader to drive high‑quality, community‑based care through strategic foresight and responsive action.

Key focus areas include:

• Public health and prevention
• Reducing hospital admissions
• Managing complex conditions holistically
• Addressing health inequalities
• Integrating social prescribing and signposting

The incumbent will champion innovation and continuous improvement, supporting early intervention, staff development, recruitment and retention, quality improvement, budget efficiency, and service transformation.

Main duties of the job

The District Nurse / Senior Community Nurse is responsible for the assessment and management of the health needs of an identified population and caseload, with emphasis on public health, preventative care and admission avoidance.

They will support programme implementation and evaluation across a range of target groups, including complex health deterioration, health inequalities, social prescribing, comorbidities and urgent care prevention.

The nurse will clinically supervise and provide support to regulated and unregulated team members, assist the Professional Lead with recruitment and retention, support the wellbeing of the team, improve quality outcomes, manage budgets, and implement service improvement schemes and pathway development.

Job responsibilities

Main Functions

• Named responsibility and professional accountability for the management of a defined caseload, including delegation of tasks to other team members.
• Visible leadership ensuring equitable evidence‑based service underpinned by pillars of clinical governance.
• Prescribe within scope of practice in line with V300 qualification, ensuring safe, cost‑effective nurse prescribing.
• Develop caseload profile, identify groups with specific health needs and implement and evaluate programmes of care.
• Act in accordance with local safeguarding policies and NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Contribute to trust objectives and support the Professional Lead in influencing change.
• Provide appropriate nursing care and specialist advice to patients, carers, relatives and agencies.
• Participate in training, mentorship of pre‑registration and medical students and staff; inclusive of induction and preceptorship programmes.
• Assist in resolution of complaints within the specialty.
• Attend meetings and deputise as required while ensuring information dissemination within the nursing team.
• Assist with delivery of induction programme for new staff.

Communication

• Demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills in complex, sensitive, emotive situations; uphold data protection and confidentiality.
• Adopt highest level of verbal, non‑verbal, written and electronic communication; open, honest, act with integrity.
• Engage in open discussion with statutory and voluntary agencies and multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure effective communication to support continuity of care across settings.

Analysis and Judgement

• Critically evaluate team leadership, operational and project management against national and local policy.
• Maintain accurate record keeping; comply with NMC policy and data protection legislation.
• Use resources efficiently, aware of budgetary constraints.
• Participate in research and development projects, pursue further study and share initiatives.
• Communicate sensitive information effectively; employ persuasive, motivational and negotiating skills.
• Contribute to development of audit systems supporting clinical governance priorities.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Supervise and direct work of other team members.
• Day‑to‑day supervision and performance of the district nursing team.
• Record daily activity electronically via EMIS.
• Support staff in accessing clinical supervision.
• Promote positive team culture; facilitate shared leadership, mentorship, supervision, openness and candour.

Responsibility for Patient Care

• Critically assess, plan and evaluate evidence‑based interventions; prevent disease in individuals and populations.
• Planning and evaluation through recognised models and tools (e.g. end‑of‑life care, long‑term conditions).
• Diagnostic assessment, head‑to‑toe examinations, prescribing and escalation when clinically required.
• Clinical skill set includes: end‑of‑life care, intravenous therapy, plural drains, wound care (including vacuum‑assisted therapy), leg ulcers, patient education, multi‑comorbidity management, social prescribing.
• Act as patient advocate where appropriate.
• Offer health promotion and participate in activities for defined caseload.
• Utilise health needs assessment for local population.
• Recognise triggers of deterioration and initiate Continuing Healthcare/NHS Funded Nursing Care assessment.
• Work with Specialist District Nurse/Professional Lead to achieve performance indicators and support preferred place of care.
• Maintain excellent relationships with acute hospital staff, local authorities, social care teams and voluntary services.

Policy and Service Development

• Lead quality initiatives (Community Care Indicators, Hand Hygiene, Saving Lives, IWGC).
• Interpret and implement District Nursing national frameworks, policy and guidance at service level.
• Participate in service redesign and policy development; source patient/carer feedback to inform service provision.
• Implement and audit policies, guidelines and procedures; ensure evidence‑based, patient‑centred practice.
• Undertake Personal Development Reviews and develop training plans.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Day‑to‑day management of band 5 nurses; support Professional Lead in line management.
• Identify workforce planning issues; recruit, select and retain clinical staff.
• Support staff returning to work after sick leave; enforce sickness management policy.
• Ensure completion of mandatory and statutory training.
• Conduct Performance Development Reviews.
• Promote morale and manage conflict with open honesty.
• Support and promote team wellbeing and self‑wellbeing.

Professional Responsibilities and Freedom to Act

• Interpret national guidance on NMC guidelines.
• Participate in clinical supervision.
• Maintain clinical and professional proficiencies, behaviours and values per statutory legislation.

Responsibility for Research & Development

• Identify, apply and disseminate research findings relating to community specialist practice.
• Ensure standards, protocols and policies are evidence‑based.
• Keep abreast of current clinical issues and promote best practice.
• Critique and use research to inform practice.
• Complete regular clinical audits and support improvement.

General

• Must have access to independent means of transport for travel across trust and other agencies.
• Must anticipate working during extreme weather conditions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (1st Level)
• First level degree in related subject
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development relevant to the field of practice
• Evidence of leadership or management training
• Practice Educator and Assessor Preparation (PEAP) or equivalent qualification
• District Nursing Specialist Practitioner Qualification or working towards it
• Coaching CPD

Experience

• Significant post‑registration community experience
• Post‑registration experience of caseload management
• Evidence of personalised care planning and complex patient management
• Ability to assess and manage risk appropriately
• Experience of empowering a positive learning culture for interdisciplinary and interagency teams
• Proven experience of working autonomously in challenging situations
• Experience in managing complaints
• Experience in service improvement

Skills

• Understanding of clinical governance, audit, and risk management.
• Advanced clinical decision‑making skills to support patient‑centred care.
• Advanced clinical skills for a variety of patient conditions and comorbidities.
• In‑depth understanding of community nursing and long‑term condition management.
• Excellent prioritisation and time‑keeping skills.
• IT literate.
• Ability to supervise, support and mentor junior staff.
• Capacity to work collaboratively across professional and organisational boundaries.

Personal Qualities

• Communicate effectively at all stages and with diverse mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges.
• Practice autonomously, proactively and innovatively, demonstrating self‑awareness, emotional intelligence and openness.
• Willingness to work flexibly and travel across district.
• Excellent role model demonstrating compassion and patient‑centred approach.
• Showcases trust values at all times.

Other

• Must have means of own transport and able to drive in variable weather conditions.
• Must be a non‑smoker during working hours.
• Must be willing to undertake Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure to Enhanced / Standard level.
• Must be legally entitled to work in this country.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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