Job summary
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Plastics Nurse Specialist to join our dressings clinic, providing expert wound care and dressing management to patients following plastic and reconstructive surgery. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled nurse to work within a specialist team, delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals recovering from a range of procedures including burns, skin grafts, flap reconstructions, and post-surgical wounds.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing, planning, and managing complex wound care needs, selecting appropriate dressing techniques and products, and monitoring healing progress to identify and escalate any signs of complications such as infection or delayed healing. You will work closely with consultant plastic surgeons, the wider multidisciplinary team, and patients themselves to ensure optimal outcomes and a positive patient experience throughout the recovery journey.

Main duties of the job
Wound Assessment & Management and Post-Operative Care

• Assessing surgical wounds, flaps, grafts, and donor sites for healing progress, infection, dehiscence, or complications
• Selecting and applying appropriate dressings based on wound type, exudate level, and healing stage
• Removing sutures, staples, drains
• Identifying early signs of complications (infection, flap failure, haematoma, seroma) and escalating to the surgical team promptly

Patient Education & Support

• Advising patients and carers on wound care, dressing changes, and signs of complications to watch for at home
• Explaining ongoing treatment plans and what to expect during recovery

Clinical Procedures

• Performing minor procedures such as suture/clip removal, wound debridement, or simple dressing changes independently
• Taking wound swabs and liaising with microbiology when infection is suspected
• Administering local treatments and, in some settings, prescribing (if a qualified nurse prescriber)

Documentation & Coordination

• Maintaining accurate clinical records, wound photography for tracking progress, and outcome measures
• Liaising with the multidisciplinary team (surgeons, tissue viability nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists)
• Scheduling and coordinating follow-up appointments

Clinic Management

• Running nurse-led clinics independently for routine post-op follow-up, freeing up surgeon time for more complex cases
• Ensuring infection control standards and aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) are maintained

About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (Apply through our website)

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

• As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

• We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
• As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
• A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

What do we stand for?

• Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
• Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
• Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Details
Date posted: 15 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 10 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 434-SCC8124492
Job locations: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom

Job description
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification

Education
Essential

• Nursing BSc
• GCSE Maths/ English

Desirable

• Advanced History Taking course
• Non-Medical Prescribing
• MSc course in healthcare related topic

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of working in plastic surgery or burns
• Post 2 years + experience
• Experience of working with wounds

Desirable

• Has worked to a band 7 level
• Experience of working independently

Communication
Essential

• Good English communication verbally and written
• Can work with computers
• Knowledge of plastics dressings

Desirable

• Has used systems Evolve/Careflow

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 (Apply through our website). 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 (Apply through our website).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (Apply through our website).

Employer details
Employer name: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website
For questions about the job, contact: Lead ACP Plastic Surgery, Zoe Avent, zoe.avent@nhs.net, 01296418215