Job summary
37.5 hours per week - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Tavistock community nursing team as a full-time, Community Sister/Charge Nurse on a fixed term or secondment basis. We welcome applications from experienced Band 5 or existing Band 6 nurses passionate about leading a team of community nurses.

You will work closely with the Team Manager and collaborate with various internal and external services, including PCN and health and social care colleagues across primary and secondary care.

As an autonomous practitioner, you will assess and treat patients with complex health and social care needs, manage a clinical caseload, and ensure holistic, evidence-based care to maintain patients at home. Responsibilities include thorough patient assessment, recognising deterioration, appropriate escalation and treatment planning.

Additionally, the managerial aspect of the role will require strong leadership skills to effectively manage, support, and develop the nursing team. You will embed excellent management practices to foster a positive, motivated, and adaptable work environment, driving change and maintaining team cohesion.

This role suits experienced nurses looking to expand their clinical and managerial expertise, who are committed to creating a supportive and dynamic culture.

Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.

Main duties of the job
Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th November.

The post holder will:

• Be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of care through effective caseload management.
• Required to supervise junior staff and be able to teach qualified and unqualified staff, including students.
• Will be expected to be involved in the management and leadership of the service.
• Be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing in all its forums, attending meetings and MDT discussions for patients and service delivery.
• Be responsible for designated staff and hold line management and appraisal responsibilities.
• To promote a collaborative approach to team culture and patient care within the team providing support to junior staff.
• To assist the Team Manager in the identification and maintenance of standards of care delivered and escalate accordingly.
• To act as clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of nursing practice.
• Actively participate in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit, eRoster management, incident and risk reporting and/or clinical policy development.

This role will be required to cover an 08:30 to 17:00 service, 7 days a week.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pa, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: B9832-2026-NM-10516
Job location: Tavistock Community Nurses, Tavyside Health Centre, Abbey Rise, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9FD

Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for assessing, triaging, planning, implementing, evaluating care which may be complex, sensitive and unpredictable with the support of senior nurse, nurse specialist, caseload holder.
• To co-ordinate the delivery of care, application of clinical judgement in day-to-day changes in patients' needs and circumstances external to the individual, determining when to seek advice from senior clinical or management staff. This includes response to immediate crisis.
• To undertake and to develop all nursing skills and competencies, updating as required for their role to enhance the skill mix of the nursing team ensuring that the ever-changing health needs of patients are met.
• To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, legible, and all care given to be documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies, the relevant professional body guidelines and Government directives.
• To provide clinical supervision to other staff and students.
• Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own health and wellbeing, maximising independence and facilitating health promotion.
• Depending on role you will be required to work within a defined geographical area undertaking specific clinical nursing duties to patients in a variety of settings such as their own homes, care homes, other community locations or clinic settings.
• Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff in the absence of the team leader.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential: Relevant post registered experience. Able to demonstrate Clinical Management skills appropriate to the role. Proven relevant experience of Leadership. Experience in leading and development of new pathways of care and delivering best practice. Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.
Desirable: Experience and working knowledge of community setting desirable. Management/Leadership qualification. Experience of influencing change in the workplace.

Qualifications
Essential: 1st Level Nurse Registration (degree or diploma). NMC Registration. Current Registered Nurse with a relevant registered experience. Experience of mentoring.
Desirable: Recognised teaching qualification, mentorship or equivalent. Leadership experience/qualifications. NMP prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake. DNSPQ Qualification. Specialist Nurse modules.

Additional Requirements
Essential: Familiar and committed to the principles and values of the NHS. Demonstrate commitment to focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes. Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness. Ability to work flexibly, demonstrating commitment to partnership working. Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
Desirable: Values diversity and difference.

Knowledge
Essential: Up to date knowledge of current practice within the area specified in job purpose. Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies. Ability to translate best practice evidence and national policies in practice. Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care. Understanding of NICE guidance. The post holder will have experience undertaking Incident Investigations. Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessment.
Desirable: Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development. Knowledge of service development. Previous primary care / community experience.

Specific Skills
Essential: Good time management. Autonomous practitioner with the ability to work unsupervised. Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice. Ability to work alongside clinicians to support and enhance quality of patient care. Excellent interpersonal skills in leadership, co-ordination and management skills. Delegation skills. IT literate. Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others. Ability to act as a champion for patients and carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.
Desirable: Flexible, adaptable team player. Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice.

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. Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

For questions about the job, contact: Shelby Ormston, shelby.ormston@nhs.net, 01752436508