Lead Nutrition Specialist Nurse

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Lead Nutrition Specialist Nurse

Closing date: 16 January 2026

An exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and knowledgeable Nutrition Nurse to lead the established nutrition service across MWL, based at Whiston Hospital. The role supports the delivery of nutritional services within the Trust, working with a multidisciplinary team to maximise the quality of nutritional care.

Key responsibilities include advanced autonomous clinical practice, service development, research, audit, education, leadership and governance.

• Lead clinical management within the Gastroenterology department during the working week.
• Demonstrate advanced autonomous clinical practice across traditional boundaries, utilising assessment, decision making and diagnostic skills.
• Order and interpret investigations independently and manage a safe caseload, involving other MDT members as required.
• Lead educational sessions, clinical supervision, research, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Abide by legal requirements and statutory rules, maintaining professional standards in accordance with NMC guidelines.

• Provide advanced levels of clinical practice, knowledge and skills in Nutrition.
• Undertake history and physical examination to accurately assess patient condition.
• Request, interpret and act upon relevant diagnostic tests and procedures.
• Interpret, convey and act upon complex information to MDT members, patients and relatives, including stressful situations.
• Act as a clinical expert supporting nursing staff and MDT members within and outside the designated area of work.
• Undertake advanced invasive and non‑invasive procedures in accordance with training and supervision.
• Prescribe medication in accordance with current legislation and trust policy, including parenteral nutrition and medications for short bowel syndrome.
• Perform clinic review of nutrition patients, supporting consultants.
• Lead on service improvement and develop a remote follow‑up clinic.
• Provide unsupervised support for acute medical admissions unit and emergency department.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate nursing/medical records and documentation.
• Effectively manage acute life‑threatening conditions in accordance with current ALS/ATLS/ALERT guidelines.
• Act as a role model through high standards of practice, motivating effective working partnerships.
• Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds, board rounds, case conferences, clinical and audit meetings.
• Gain informed consent from patients for procedures undertaken by self or on behalf of others, written and verbal.
• Provide evidence‑based specialist knowledge and advice to patients, families and carers throughout the journey.
• Provide clinical expertise in the management of patients using specialist theoretical and clinical skills.
• Facilitate and support unit coordinators and ward managers to develop effective working relationships.
• Act as an autonomous practitioner exercising judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care.
• Undertake nurse prescribing as part of designated role and provide autonomous practitioners.
• Support junior medical staff, sharing clinical workload and allowing junior doctors to achieve training and development requirements.

• Ensure that the patient experience remains the focal point for service improvement within the Directorate.
• Provide clinical support to complaints and SIRI/SUI investigations.
• Support senior staff and clinical teams in maximising flow of patients through units to meet elective and emergency demand.
• Contribute effectively to service developments both within the directorate and at strategic level.
• Attend Gastroenterology Governance and Business Meetings.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating excellent communication and listening skills with patients, relatives and staff.
• Active involvement in Senior Nursing Forum.
• Promote effective team working within nursing and medical staff on Gastroenterology wards.
• Provide support for senior nursing staff in relation to staff development and complaints.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
• Lead and guide…