East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
Job summary
Are you an experienced and motivated Band 6 nurse looking for a rewarding role across both hospital and community settings?
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Sister/Charge Nurse to join our innovative joint post working across the Integrated Discharge Team (IDT) and Rapid Response Team (RR). This unique opportunity provides the chance to work autonomously across acute and community services, supporting patients to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitating safe, timely discharge back to their own homes
We are looking for a registered nurse with:
- Significant post-registration experience at Band 5/6 level.
- Strong assessment, clinical decision-making and care planning skills.
- Experience in community nursing, discharge planning or urgent care pathways.
- A passion for integrated working and person-centred care.
- The ability to work independently within a fast-paced environment whilst maintaining excellent team relationships.
Informal visits to both sites are strongly encouraged prior to applying, as the teams work in a unique and innovative way. Visiting the services will provide valuable insight and help inform your application.
“(Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 23/09/2026)”
Main duties of the job
You will contribute to the delivery of safe, effective and timely discharges for patients returning to the community from hospital.
Assess patients, work collaboratively with families, carers, the multidisciplinary team to ensure a comprehensive understanding of available community services when arranging health-funded packages of care.
Receive, assess, manage same-day referrals from Primary Care through the GP Liaison Service, using clinical judgement, decision-making to support admission avoidance and ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate care pathway.
Ensure the provision of community nursing care that responds to urgent crisis response requirements in the community by assessing, prioritising, allocating, visiting, and treating patients using up to date clinical skills and knowledge. Work with the integrated community nursing teams and wider multidisciplinary / integrated teams to provide high quality nursing care.
Work collaboratively with acute hospital, ambulance service and other providers to ensure care at home that avoids inappropriate hospital admission.
Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitate timely hospital discharge.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- RGN
- Educated to degree level or equivalent e.g. Community Specialist practitioner / PgDip
- Evidence of CPD
- MSPP or equivalent
Desirable
- Post Graduate study in relevant area
- Independent Nurse Prescribing or willingness to undertake
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience
- Understanding of staff and resource management
- Understanding of multidisciplinary team working and collaborative care delivery
- Ability to work within a skill mixed team, working within quality standards
- Knowledge of discharge planning processes
- Demonstrate an understanding of research and its impact on clinical practice
- Knowledge of DoH Continuing Health Care process – Fast Track funding
- Evidence of involvement in project development work or health promotion group work
- Ability to demonstrate experience and knowledge of clinical governance and audit
Desirable
- Experience of working within a high ethnic population
- DN / Community experience
- Demonstrate an understanding of Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005
- Experience of discharge planning within an Acute Trust setting
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of DoH Continuing Health Care processes – Checklists, Decision Support Tool, review
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of up to date clinical competencies (Acute patient ass skills, recognition of red flags, venepuncture, cannulation, IV administration, Syringe Driver Management/Palliative symptom management control, catheter management, triage and prioritisation skills
- Time Management and prioritisation skills, ability to work under pressure in a changing work environment
- Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
- Leadership skills with a high level of self-awareness
- Ability to manage and lead a team effectively
- Ability and experience to work autonomously as an independent practitioner
- Ability to work across organisational and professional boundaries
- Evidence of IT literacy, including standard keyboard skills and proficiency in systems such as Microsoft Word and Outlook
- Relevant clinical competencies in patient assessment and diagnosis, palliative care, intravenous therapy administration, and syringe driver management
- Evidence of managing complex discharges using a multi-agency approach
- Teaching, facilitation, and presentation skills
- Experience of managing patients with acute and chronic long-term conditions
- Evidence of effective communication skills with internal and external agencies and care partners
Desirable
- Experience of Systmone
- Experience of hospital IT systems
Closing Date: 6 October 2026
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.