Dermatology Support Practitioner

Job summary
To work within a multi-disciplinary team and under the supervision of a registered nurse assist in delivering a high quality of specialist dermatology care, to a broad spectrum of patients. The post holder will undertake tasks and duties delegated by the clinical team or Dermatology Nurse Specialists, working both supervised and unsupervised/autonomously where appropriate.

The successful candidate will join the team of existing band 3 support practitioners working closely with our staff nurses, and nurse specialists, carrying out enhanced roles once deemed competent, and supporting consultants in the smooth running of their dermatology clinics.

The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change.

Main duties of the job

• General clinics
• Minor surgery assistance
• Supporting the skin cancer service
• Carrying out screening investigations including phlebotomy
• Preparation of biologic clinics
• Application of topical creams and bandages
• To support the minor ops clerk to book appointments when needed.

Job responsibilities

• To assist nurse specialists in phototherapy/hand and foot PUVA
• To ensure and be responsible for the smooth running of the urticaria recovery area, monitoring patients observations (blood pressure, sats etc) for signs of anaphylaxis alongside the nurse specialist urticarial clinic, and to alert trained nurses/doctors/MET team if appropriate
• To assist Consultant in patch test clinics, removing patch tests, correctly marking patch tests prior to removal and preparing the patient for their results readings
• To assist nurse specialists in minor surgery at St Helens and Newton Hospital, in particular for ad hoc urgent skin cancer patients/ patients on 2WW skin cancer pathways/ skin cancer see and treat clinics, and provide support for Dermatology Clinics held offsite. Competent in Aseptic Non-Touch technique, scrub in to assist surgeons in minor ops and applying basic dressings, educates patients in post-operative care
• To support the Skin cancer Nurse specialist in providing ongoing emotional support to patients diagnosed with skin cancer, to monitor the skin cancer helpline and deal with basic patient needs independently within realms of competence and refer on to specialist nurse specialist when appropriate. Support the skin cancer nurse specialist with documentation and recording of telephone consultations for both coding and patients clinical notes in line with Trust Policies and Procedures.
• To carry out screening investigations such as taking swabs, pregnancy testing, blood pressures, urinalysis, weight, INR coagucheck, nail clippings and fungal scrapings, phlebotomy
• Assist in application of leg ulcer dressings (non-compression)
• To assist in paediatric clinics, able to safely apply prescribed topical treatments and specialised dermatological bandaging.
• To be competent in removal of sutures and basic post op wound dressings, to work alone and unsupervised and the ability to work autonomously where appropriate e.g., removal of suture clinic.
• To support Skin cancer specialist nurse with health promotion /well-being events
• Assists in research and databases e.g., assisting Skin cancer nurse input data onto Somerset database, BADBIR.
• To undertake reviews of patients returning to clinic for specified follow up care and manage appropriately using guidelines and protocols.
• To provide education, health promotion support and encouragement to patients to self-manage their conditions appropriate to own knowledge/experience.
• Housekeeping and maintenance of Dermatology admin packs for Nurse Specialists eg Phototherapy packs, minor op paperwork, patient information leaflets, patch test leaflets and documents, BADBIR packs
• Recognise the workload of colleagues and provide support as necessary.

Essential qualifications and experience

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent experience
• Previous experience of working as a Health Care Assistant
• Previous experience in the provision of direct patient care
• Commitment to the promotion of health
• Knowledge of child protection procedures and who to contact with concerns
• Demonstrable experience working in specialised dermatology clinics and a basic knowledge of: Eczema, Psoriasis, Skin cancer, Phototherapy, Patch testing

Desirable

• Previous experience of history taking / conducting consultations ie: when assessing wounds etc.
• Venepuncture experience

Essential skills

• IT skills
• Positive attitude, supportive, non-judgemental motivated
• Effective communication skills
• Team player
• Flexible, adaptable and reliable, ability to work off site in dermatology clinics e.g. Newton Hospital
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to use own initiative
• Understanding of using resources efficiently, good house keeping
• The ability to work alone and unsupervised and the ability to work autonomously where appropriate

Our values

• We are Kind
• We are Open
• We are Inclusive

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Contact
Lead Nurse, Victoria Thomas, victoria.thomas2@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk, 01744646639

Closing date: 09 November 2026. Apply through our website.