Diabetes Specialist Nurse - Maternity

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

The Band 7 Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) in Maternity and Antenatal Care plays a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary management of women with pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) throughout pregnancy. The post holder will lead the diabetes maternity and antenatal team, providing clinical leadership and supervision to a small, dedicated team including midwives and other healthcare professionals. They will ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care through expert clinical practice, patient education, and collaborative working with the wider maternity and diabetes services. This role also contributes significantly to service development, audit, and the ongoing professional development of staff to improve outcomes for mothers and babies affected by diabetes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide advanced clinical expertise in the management of diabetes during pregnancy (Type 1, Type 2, and GDM).

Participate in antenatal diabetes clinics alongside obstetricians, endocrinologists, dietitians, and midwives.

Support initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and insulin pump therapy.

Provide individualised education and self-management support to women with diabetes throughout the perinatal period.

Monitor maternal glycaemic control and fetal growth, adjusting treatment plans in collaboration with the MDT.

Support postpartum follow-up for women with GDM and arrange appropriate referrals for continued care.

Act as a clinical leader and resource for midwives, nurses, and other professionals involved in maternity care.

Provide guidance on best practice, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines for diabetes in pregnancy.

Contribute to the development and implementation of diabetes-related policies and care pathways within maternity services.

Deliver education for women with GDM and pre-existing diabetes.

Provide in-service training and updates for maternity staff on diabetes management.

Support professional development of junior staff and student nurses.

Participate in audits, clinical effectiveness projects, and research activities related to diabetes and pregnancy.

Monitor outcomes such as maternal glycaemic control, birth weight, delivery outcomes, and neonatal complications.

Use audit findings to inform service improvement and redesign.

Act as a key liaison between obstetric, diabetes, and primary care teams.

Communicate complex clinical information to patients in a clear, empathetic, and culturally sensitive manner.

Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient records in line with local and national guidelines.