Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Job overview

We are seeking a Band 8a Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse with Non-Medical Prescribing and recognised diabetes qualifications.

The post holder will provide strategic vision, expert clinical leadership, and management to develop, implement, and evaluate the diabetes nursing service for inpatients with mental health challenges within West London Forensic Services.

This role requires advanced clinical skills and experience, including the ability to initiate and review treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, adjust insulin according to protocols, and safely titrate medications in line with diabetes guidelines, Trust policies, and NMC standards.

You will educate GPs, Practice Nurses, ward doctors, nurses, and AHPs, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support diabetes management, weight management, and diabetes prevention. You will demonstrate strong decision‑making skills and motivate non‑specialist practitioners to improve their diabetes knowledge. You will also deliver structured education programmes for individuals with Type 1, Type 2, and pre‑diabetes.

You will work across Primary Healthcare and West London Forensic Services, covering three buildings at St Bernard’s Hospital, and undertake ward visits.

As the service continues to develop, you will play a key role in service improvement and innovative ways of working.

This is a full‑time post (37.5 hours per week), Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00, based at Three Bridges Unit, West London NHS Trust, Southall.

Main duties of the job

• Working closely with members of the multidisciplinary team, including lead consultants, GPs, nursing colleagues, allied health professionals, social services, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Managing and prioritising an active clinical caseload.
• Undertaking comprehensive patient assessments and developing, implementing, and evaluating care plans for people with diabetes.
• Participating in nurse‑led clinics, outreach and community clinics, and undertaking home visits where required.
• Performing clinical procedures and interventions appropriate to the role, including initiating, reviewing, and adjusting medications such as insulin and oral diabetes therapies in line with national and local guidelines and scope of practice.
• Providing telephone assessment, advice, and support to people with diabetes regarding their management in accordance with clinical guidelines.
• Acting as a specialist resource for healthcare professionals, teams, patients, and families involved in diabetes care, and establishing appropriate follow‑up systems to ensure ongoing support.
• Advising and supporting individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes, facilitating timely referral to appropriate services.
• Ensuring practice is consistent with clinical governance, professional standards, and Trust policies.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols for diabetes care, as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.