Nurse Referral Adviser

Job overview

The Nurse Referral Adviser plays a pivotal clinical role within the Single Point of Access, acting as the senior clinical decision‑maker at the entry point to services. The post holder is responsible for the safe, timely and appropriate clinical triage of referrals, ensuring patients are directed to the right service, at the right time, and with the correct level of priority.

Working alongside non‑clinical referral teams and system partners, the Nurse Referral Adviser provides expert clinical oversight, risk assessment, and escalation, particularly for referrals involving complex needs, deterioration, safeguarding concerns, or urgent clinical risk. The role ensures that SPA operates as a safe, efficient and clinically governed gateway into services.

The post holder will use professional judgement to assess referral information, liaise with referrers, provide clinical advice, and coordinate onward pathways in line with agreed protocols, policies, and service eligibility criteria. They will also contribute to service improvement by identifying trends, supporting consistent decision‑making, and reducing inappropriate referrals, duplication, and delays.

By embedding nursing expertise at the front door, the Nurse Referral Adviser is central to patient safety, flow management, staff support, and system efficiency, while ensuring compliance with clinical governance, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.

Main duties of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of what this role entails