Job summary
OPAT Charge Nurse - Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Service

Are you looking for a new and exciting challenge? Do you want to be part of an innovative service and play a key role in delivering excellent patient-centred care?

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Charge Nurse to join our Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Clinic on a part time basis, 28.5-hours per week.

Working as part of the Integrated Care and Hospital at Home teams across Mid and South Essex, you will support the delivery of a specialist OPAT service for patients requiring intravenous antimicrobial therapy in a clinic setting. You will manage and coordinate a caseload of patients with a range of complex clinical needs, while benefiting from the support and expertise of multidisciplinary teams working across our virtual ward services.

Although based within Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, the role may require working across multiple sites, including Basildon, Southend, Broomfield and possible home visits, depending on service needs.

We are looking for an organised, adaptable, and compassionate nurse with excellent clinical, communication, and organisational skills who is committed to delivering outstanding care.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as travel between Trust sites will be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Trust policy.

So, if this sounds like the role for you, please apply today.

Main duties of the job

• Identify, assess and manage patients suitable for the OPAT service, supporting early hospital discharge and admission avoidance through collaboration with virtual wards and emergency department teams.
• Deliver safe administration of intravenous therapies in line with agreed clinical pathways, Trust policies and scope of practice, including the use of PICC lines and peripheral cannulas.
• Develop, implement and review individualised care plans, ensuring they remain current and support high-quality patient outcomes.
• Manage a defined clinical caseload within the Integrated Care Division, facilitating patient flow, discharge planning and continuity of care across identified pathways.
• Coordinate nurse-led OPAT clinics, ensuring services are organised, efficient and compliant with Trust policies, procedures and clinical standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Band 7 Clinic Manager, Healthcare Assistant and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients receive timely assessment and optimal treatment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, GPs, community services and healthcare professionals using a range of platforms, including telephone, email and virtual meetings.
• Demonstrate flexibility in supporting service delivery across multiple clinic locations and, where required, provide intravenous therapy administration to patients receiving care through the Hospital@Home service.

About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well-being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Essential qualifications

• RGN part 1 NMC Register (RSCN where appropriate) OR Registered Healthcare professional on appropriate register.
• IV medication administration
• Peripheral IV Cannulation skills

Desirable qualifications

• Clinical teaching experience
• PICC Line management competency

Essential knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
• Strong understanding of therapies and drugs relevant to service offering, including NHS knowledge relating to the management of patients with treated conditions.
• Expertise in assessment and discharge process
• Understanding of Clinical Audit & Clinical Governance

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Experience in community healthcare
• Previous OPAT experience

Location: Basildon
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part time)

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. Apply through our website.