Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (progressive post)

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to the join the Bedfordshire iCaSH team, in the busy Kings Brook.

We are looking for a Band 5 Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist training post with progression to Band 6 for the right applicant.

East of England Community Health and Care Trust  NHS iCaSH Services provide a range of contraception, sexual health and HIV services to people across the East of England.

May include evenings on a rota basis

The successful applicant will demonstrate an interest in all aspects of contraception and sexual health. This role is suitable for  a Band 5 registered nurse seeking a progressive training opportunity to develop and achieve competencies to become a Band 6.

We welcome applications from individuals with a keen interest to develop in the specialty.  You must be motivated and committed, have strong team-working skills and a keen interest in research, training, education and service development.

If you would like an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, please contact Clinic Manager Aoife McNamara

Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 27th July 2026

Main duties of the job

To assess the sexual and reproductive health (SRH), needs of patients attending our integrated Contraception and Sexual Health (iCaSH), Services.

To work within iCaSH offering advice and treatments/procedures for patients who require SRH services.

To act in a responsible manner, being courteous at all times, with sensitivity towards the needs of the individual patient, recognising their right to dignity and privacy.

To support training and education to professionals, students and other agencies.

To work as a member of our iCaSH service with a willingness to undertake further training in SRH as required to support service development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work collaboratively as part of the iCaSH team to provide a comprehensive and confidential services for patients presenting with contraceptive or sexual health needs

In line with your scope of practice and knowledge undertake clinical assessment and physical examinations when required, initiating treatment within level of competence in accordance with agreed protocols, referring to senior staff where appropriate.

Perform contraceptive or sexual health procedures including but not exclusive of venepuncture. Interpret results and act accordingly, within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

Plan and deliver evidence based care and treatment within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

To provide a safe environment and non-judgemental approach to enable clients to ask questions and discuss concerns.

To provide a safe environment and non-judgemental approach to enable clients to ask questions and discuss concerns.

Provide appropriate contraceptive advice and methods to ensure an integrated approach.

Prescribing responsibilities

To work within existing PGDs for all methods of contraception and sexual health treatments.

To practice as a prescriber, if the post-holder has a non-medical prescribing qualification.

Communication

Provide advice, information, education and counselling to patients within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

Ensure understanding of and stress the importance of any medical treatment indicated and to describe and explain testing and follow-up procedures.

To provide effective partner notification to ensure attendance and testing/treatment of partners at risk, adopting methods that are appropriate and in line with the Partner Notification Policy produced by the Society of Sexual Health Advisors in STDs (SSHA) (where integrated)

To work with clients to assess risk and to provide information about and discussion of risk taking behaviour and risk reduction.

To take telephone enquiries from the general public and health care professionals about sexually transmissible infections including HIV, Hepatitis B/C and all contraceptive queries. To discuss risk and respond appropriately to those who are anxious within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate

To record interventions accurately and concisely in client case notes and keep confidential records for the purposes of partner notification.

Adapt communication and language to suit patient group/audience and to establish good working relationships with key stakeholders.

To liaise with and exchange information with other Sexual Health Services as relevant for the management of patients/clients.

Work collaboratively with all East of England Community Health and Care iCaSH Services to ensure a corporate approach.

People Management

Maintain own professional development and take part in appraisal and KSF process

The post holder must carry out his/her duties with regard to East of England Health and Care NHS Trust Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.

This role will be based within an identified locality, however the post holder must be flexible where the need is required to support service delivery within the iCaSH Service.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.  East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

Professional Development

Participate in a yearly appraisal and development review where relevant objectives are set.

Be responsible for own compliance for mandatory training requirements.

Take responsibility for keeping professionally up to date, demonstrating awareness of policy changes

Attend mutually agreed training courses, seminars and conferences for personal and professional development.

Assist with teaching and education to individuals and groups from within and outside the service.

To undertake agreed accredited training within Contraception and Sexual Health, including but not limited to Implant and IUD/S insertion and removals.

Clinical and Practice Governance

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

It is a condition of your employment that you are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council  and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by East of England  Community Health and Care NHS Trust.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.

Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.

Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis.

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.