Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity to join our progressive Nutrition Nurse Specialist Team at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, based on the Basildon site.

Our small but supportive team provides a 5‑day service (Monday – Friday), delivering specialist care to patients with complex nutritional needs across both the hospital and community settings. This includes the assessment and management of enteral and parenteral nutrition, as well as ongoing support to ensure safe and effective nutritional care.

As an Associate Specialist Nurse in Nutrition, you will play a key role in assisting and supporting team members and other medical staff. You will ensure that patients’ conditions are accurately reported, that care plans and instructions are clearly conveyed to ward nurses and medical staff, and that prescribed treatments are administered safely and effectively.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with consultants, dietitians, pharmacists, and ward teams, contributing to the continued development of the service and supporting seamless patient care across the pathway.

If you feel you have the compassion, expertise, and professionalism to help shape this service and deliver an excellent patient experience, then we would very much like to hear from you

Main duties of the job

• Deliver specialist nutritional support across acute hospital and community settings
• Undertake expert nutritional assessments and manage complex patients
• Lead and deliver nurse‑run clinics
• Deputise for the Lead Nurse as required
• Provide education, training and guidance to colleagues, patients and carers to promote safe, effective practice
• Perform advanced clinical procedures, including: Gastrostomy and nasogastric tube placement, Unblocking central venous catheters, Supporting intravenous access
• Order and review X‑rays following placement of nutrition devices in line with Trust policy
• Play a key role in discharge planning for patients requiring home nutrition therapies
• Work collaboratively with ward teams, GPs, pharmacy and homecare providers to ensure seamless transitions of care
• Contribute to audit, service evaluation and service development initiatives
• Promote evidence‑based practice and maintain a strong focus on patient safety and quality of care

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
 
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.