Charge Nurse - OPAT

Closing date: 14 August 2026

Job Summary
Are you looking for a new and exciting challenge? Do you want to be part of an innovative service and play a key role in delivering excellent patient-centred care?

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Charge Nurse to join our Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Clinic on a full-time, 12-month secondment commencing in November 2026.

Working as part of the Integrated Care and Hospital at Home teams across Mid and South Essex, you will support the delivery of a specialist OPAT service for patients requiring intravenous antimicrobial therapy in a clinic setting. You will manage and coordinate a caseload of patients with a range of complex clinical needs, while benefiting from the support and expertise of multidisciplinary teams working across our virtual ward services.

Although based within Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, the role may require working across multiple sites, including Basildon, Southend, Billericay, and Broomfield, depending on service needs.

We are looking for an organised, adaptable, and compassionate nurse with excellent clinical, communication, and organisational skills who is committed to delivering outstanding care.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as travel between Trust sites will be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Trust policy.

Main duties of the job

• Identify, assess and manage patients suitable for the OPAT service, supporting early hospital discharge and admission avoidance through collaboration with virtual wards and emergency department teams.
• Deliver safe administration of intravenous therapies in line with agreed clinical pathways, Trust policies and scope of practice, including the use of PICC lines and peripheral cannulas.
• Develop, implement and review individualised care plans, ensuring they remain current and support high-quality patient outcomes.
• Manage a defined clinical caseload within the Integrated Care Division, facilitating patient flow, discharge planning and continuity of care across identified pathways.
• Coordinate nurse-led OPAT clinics, ensuring services are organised, efficient and compliant with Trust policies, procedures and clinical standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Band 7 Clinic Manager, Healthcare Assistant and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients receive timely assessment and optimal treatment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, GPs, community services and healthcare professionals using a range of platforms, including telephone, email and virtual meetings.
• Demonstrate flexibility in supporting service delivery across multiple clinic locations and, where required, provide intravenous therapy administration to patients receiving care through the Hospital@Home service.

About us
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.

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part time)
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 390-CDO-BR-5898
Job locations: Basildon, Nethermayne, Basildon, SS16 5NL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For more information on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached Job Description. We look forward to your application! Please be aware that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high number of applications be received.

Person Specification
Qualifications - Essential

• RGN part 1 NMC Register (RSCN where appropriate) OR Registered Healthcare professional on appropriate register.
• IV medication administration
• Peripheral IV Cannulation skills

Qualifications - Desirable

• Nursing mentorship or a preceptorship qualification
• Clinical teaching experience
• PICC Line management competency

Knowledge & Experience - Essential

• Expertise in assessment of unwell patient
• Knowledge of current clinical and professional issues. Understanding of Clinical Audit & Clinical Governance
• Strong understanding of therapies and drugs relevant to service offering, including NHS knowledge relating to the management of patients with treated conditions.
• Expertise in assessment and discharge process

Knowledge & Experience - Desirable

• Experience in community healthcare
• Previous OPAT experience
• Antibiotic / microbiology training or qualification

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Basildon, Nethermayne, Basildon, SS16 5NL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Matron for OPAT Services, Lana Goodwin, lana.goodwin2@nhs.net, 03004435919