Lead OPAT & Vascular Access Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Lead OPAT (Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy) and Vascular Access Nurse to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to provide specialist nursing care for patients receiving intravenous antimicrobial therapy in the outpatient or community setting, ensuring safe and effective treatment outside of the hospital environment.

The post holder will also provide expert knowledge and technical skills in vascular access, including the assessment, insertion, and maintenance of various vascular access devices (e.g., PICC lines, midlines, peripheral cannulas and port-a-caths). Working closely with infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, pharmacists, and other members of the healthcare team, you will play a key role in coordinating patient care, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, and supporting early hospital discharge.

You will contribute to service development, provide education and training to staff, and ensure high standards of clinical practice in line with local and national guidelines. This role is ideal for an experienced, autonomous, and compassionate nurse who is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care in both acute and community settings.

Main duties of the job

As the Lead OPAT and Vascular Access Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will:

• Deliver and develop the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) and Vascular Access services, supporting high-quality, safe, and effective patient care across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.
• Assess, insert, and manage vascular access devices (including peripheral cannulas, midlines, and PICC lines) using ultrasound guidance and evidence-based infection prevention practices.
• Assess patients for suitability for OPAT, coordinate care, provide patient and carer education, and act as a key point of contact for troubleshooting and ongoing support.
• Work collaboratively with the Infection Prevention & Control Team, microbiologists, pharmacists, and community staff to ensure seamless, patient-centred care and effective antimicrobial stewardship.
• Lead on audits, surveillance, and reporting related to vascular access, contributing to Trust-wide infection prevention strategies.
• Educate and train staff across clinical areas in vascular access management, fostering best practice and competency.
• Support service development and quality improvement initiatives, including policy updates and pathway development.
• Participate in research, audit, and governance activities to advance clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
• Provide telephone advice and outreach support to community staff and patients to prevent unnecessary admissions and ensure continuity of care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s on this page.

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