Job summaryTo provide advanced levels of autonomous nursing practice to assess, investigate, diagnose, treat and refer patients by acting within the parameters of the NMC code of professional conduct and trust guidelines. To provide a service that meets the needs of patients attending the Emergency Department with acute minor injuries and minor illnesses. This will involve the provision of holistic healthcare for patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations using advanced nursing skills. The post holder may take managerial control of the department when required and will take responsibility for specific senior management roles.
If you are applying for a secondment opportunity please speak to your Line Manager first and visit your Trust's Secondment Policy.
Main duties of the job- Using an evidence based approach, assess, diagnose, treat or refer patients with minor injuries and illnesses as an autonomous practitioner, including prescribing where necessary.
- Work in a collaborative manner with other members of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring seamless service delivery for patients.
- Be able to plan own workload in an organised and effective manner whilst having an overall awareness of departmental need and adjusting working needs accordingly
- To provide clinical advice and leadership to the relevant nursing teams, colleagues and managers as requested.
- To act as a role model and expert resource including in assisting to develop nursing roles according to service development and evolving models of care.
- To lead by example ensuring that care is compassionate and caring at all times in line with the trust values.
- To act as a champion for the minor injury team, proactively liaising with Emergency Department colleagues, advocating an exceptional minor injury provision that is effective and responsive and that patients and clinicians experience a high standard of communication, care and continuity.
About usBedfordshire 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 ValuesWe 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.Job responsibilitiesCare provision- To provide a level of advanced knowledge and comprehensive assessment based on specialist body of knowledge.
- To appropriately assess, examine, investigate, diagnose and treat patients, resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations.
- To be able to identify the need for appropriate diagnostic tests and interpret results including point of care testing and radiography investigations.
- To undertake advanced physical assessment and non-medical prescribing in accordance with the Trusts policy to meet clinical needs.
- To ensure that patients are informed and consent is gained prior to treatment, investigation, examination and management as appropriate.
- To work out of hours and weekend shifts as needed to ensure availability of advanced clinical skills and visible clinical leadership
- To ensure the safe discharge of patients under your care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team where necessary.
Management/Leadership- To role model a high standard of documentation within the patients health records.
- To undertake delegated projects and management responsibilities as required.
- To develop and maintain effective and appropriate communication systems with staff and colleagues within the Trust.
- To take every responsible step to see that the working environment is safe, healthy and hazard free for staff and users.
- To utilise effective leadership styles to promote clinical excellence and optimum patient outcomes
- To be aware of care provision in the wider healthcare community and utilise this knowledge to proactively contribute to service development/improvement
Quality- To work with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure that care is evidence based and that continuous quality improvement programmes are in place that constantly challenges practice.
- To improve the quality of patient experience by identifying and meeting the individual needs of patients, including issues pertaining to child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
- To assist in the collation of data for the service key performance and work with others to ensure continuous improvement on results.
- To work closely with the Trusts PALS department and where necessary participate in investigating incidents and complaints in line with the Trust policy, procedures and timescales, making recommendations about changes in practice and service that may result.
- To advocate the collection of friends and family results.
- To be a role model in the correct use of relevant procedures, guidelines and protocols.
- To assist the Division in benchmarking against other services and developing innovative practice and new ways of working which are productive and patient outcome focused.
Education, training and research- To promote a continuous learning environment for the nursing and medical teams ensuring that staff have access to information that enables them to practice safely and effectively.
- To contribute to the development of nursing and medical knowledge and skills.
- To teach and support medical staff, nursing staff, students and newly qualified staff as appropriate in the clinical setting.
- To contribute to peer review and supervisory processes.
- To collate information about training and development needs of staff as identified through annual reviews and liaise with the professional development team to ensure these needs are met where appropriate.
- To ensure where appropriate that arrangements are made for educational evaluation and for staff to learn from the outcomes of quality reviews, audits, complaints and investigations.
- To undertake mandatory training as required for the role.
- To be aware of ones own continuous professional development needs and maintain an annual personal development plan.
- To proactively initiate, lead and participate in audit as required and in line with the Trusts audit programme, devising audits and presenting findings as needed.
- To lead on data collection for specific local and multi-centre research projects.
- To ensure that results of mandatory and departmental specific audits are acted on and changes in practice implemented
Professional responsibilities- To be aware of and act in accordance with agreed policy and procedures, legislation and NMC standards
- To adhere to policies and procedures at all times and ensure that all teams are aware of their responsibilities in relation to these
- To ensure personal compliance with the Trusts non-medical prescribing policy
- To ensure continuing professional development
The list of responsibilities above, are key primary requirements for the role, however, additional duties may be required to ensure patient and employee safety is met.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Professional registration
- Advanced physical assessment qualification (BSc/MSc level)
- Minor injury qualification (BSc/MSc level)
- Teaching qualification
- IRMER
- ILS/PILS
Desirable- Higher level qualification in at least one accredited emergency care course e.g. ALS
- BSC Emergency Nursing
- Minor illness qualification
- Independent Non medical Prescribing
- ALS/APLS/EPALs
ExperienceEssential- Experience working as an established ENP within ED/UTC/WIC
- Wound management
- Competent in suturing
- Competent in advanced plastering skills
- Management of fractures and dislocations
- Experience of teaching
- Evidence of undertaking research and audit
DesirableKnowledgeEssential- In depth understanding of change management
- Able to use NHS IT systems
- Risk management and governance
- Proven competency with high level interventional skills regarding minor injuries/illness
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.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).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Deputy Head of Nursing for ED and Acute, Annabella Dutiro, annabella.dutiro@bedsft.nhs.uk, 07812773836
DetailsDate posted: 03 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pa
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 8 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share
Reference number: 418-NU32673-JB
Job locations: Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ, United Kingdom
