Bariatric Nurse Specialist

Job overview

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust seeks applicants for a full time Clinical Nurse Specialist trained in Bariatric Nursing Services.

This post will be based within the General Surgical Directorate working alongside the Bariatric MDT. There will also be cross site working at our sister hospital St Helens Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, motivated and innovative Registered Nurse who will be fundamental to the success of this new service development.

Working closely with the Directorate Manager, Matron and Lead Bariatric Surgeon, the successful applicant will lead and develop patient services within the specialty.

You must have a proven track record of leadership and development and be an effective role model. Self-motivation is essential along with a passion, drive, adaptability and resilience to cope with change within the Trust and wider NHS. Excellent communication skills are key to be able to influence and negotiate in order to improve the service your teams provide the patients and quality and safety will be your priority.

Main duties of the job

The increasing incidence of morbid obesity suggests that the quantity of bariatric surgical procedures will continue to multiply each year. Bariatric surgery has become an accepted approach to weight management with the additional benefits of the resolution of several co-morbidities.

Quality Nursing care is essential to achieve positive patient outcomes and the Bariatric Nurse Specialist will use their specialist knowledge, skill and experience to support and coordinate the delivery of a comprehensive Bariatric Tier 4 service whilst ensuring adherence to national policy, protocol and BOSPA / BOMS guidance.

In conjunction with the wider multi-disciplinary team, the Bariatric Nurse Specialist will play a proactive role in service development and improvement as well as the teaching and education of patients and their families on lifestyle changes and on-going care, colleagues on care of the patient with bariatric needs and the on-going development of this new service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Triage Referrals into the non-surgical and surgical MDT.
• In conjunction with the MDT Coordinator, prepare patients for MDT and action outcome.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of evidenced based care.
• Provide expert advice and clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop the Bariatric service and quality of care delivered.
• Lead the development of clinical services within Bariatrics.
• Provide formal and bedside teaching on the care of the bariatric patient.
• Provide teaching and education to patients and families including what to expect, support upon discharge and a patient support hotline.
• Manage a caseload of patients reviewing pre and post operatively and ensuring milestones are achieved.
• Ensure enhanced recovery pathways are firmly embedded.
• Maintain a data base of patients to track and improve patient outcomes.
• Coordinate and facilitate a patient forum specifically for bariatric patients.
• Ensure patient information is current, understandable and available.
• Participate in health promotion, patient education and patient self  management programmes to promote self-care

Closing Date - 4th April 2025