The closing date is 16 July 2026Job summaryThis is a great opportunity to join the Respiratory Nursing team. The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal professional autonomy and making clinical judgments.
- To assess and review patients attending emergency department and who are admitted in the hospital with asthma and COPD according to the local protocols and national guidelines.
- To initiate home oxygen therapy in hospital or at home, and facilitate safe follow up reviews of these patients.
- To perform and/or interpret diagnostic tests including spirometry, bronchodilator challenge tests, FeNo and capillary blood gases in outpatient, patients' own homes and community hub settings
- Discuss own patient caseload with relevant clinicians and at MDT
- Contribute to National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme
- Educating other healthcare professionals.
Main duties of the job- To co-ordinate the specialty care within the Trust, including community clinics across Lewisham and home visits for patients who are unable to access the community clinics.
- To support patients with oxygen in terms of checking their ongoing needs, their safety and in the identification of risk.
- To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers.
- Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings. This will include spirometry, FeNo, lung function reports, and blood gas analysis.
- Carries out complex therapeutic/investigational procedures under indirect supervision of the Consultant. Ensuring that they are carried out using safe practice and under agreed guidelines/protocols to ensure that the highest possible standard is obtained based on competent clinical practice.
About usOur people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job responsibilities- Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings. This will include spirometry, FeNo, lung function reports, and blood gas analysis.
- Perform clinics independently for patients with asthma and COPD and support primary care in managing patients in the community.
- Assess patients on wards to initiate home oxygen therapy and review them at home
- Refer patients with severe asthma to tertiary institution for biologics
- Liaise with other hospitals regarding management of NIV and follow patients up at home
- Perform research and audits regularly
- assists in service development
- to support lung nodule and cystic fibrosis patients.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- RN - Part 1
- Knowledge of respiratory conditions, management and treatment.
- Teaching and assessing qualification
- Relevant specialist course in Asthma and COPD
Desirable- Advanced Physical Assessment Module
- Counselling course
- Non-Medical Prescribing Module
ExperienceEssential- Minimum 2 years experience in a senior nursing role- Band 6 and above
- Experience working with patients with chronic respiratory diseases
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload
- Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
- Experience in patient advocacy
- Excellent time management skills
Desirable- Experience reviewing inpatients referred for COPD/asthma optimisation
- Experience performing outpatient clinic reviews for asthma and COPD patients
- Ability to perform and interpret capillary blood gases
KnowledgeEssential- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
- Knowledge and understanding of the relevant local and national guidance
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Knowledge of respiratory anatomy and physiology
Desirable- Knowledge of respiratory conditions including Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer
- Understanding of the Rapid Respiratory pathway
- Knowledge of research and audit
- Understanding of spirometry as a diagnostic tool
Personal QualitiesEssential- Creative, lateral thinker
- Flexible and positive approach to work
- Enthusiasm and motivation
- Effective decision-making skills
Desirable- Full driver's license and access to a car
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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. 
