Job overview

District Nursing Specialist Practitioner Qualification (DNSPQ) Students work closely with the people who use our services, their families, friends, carers and play an important contribution in how people experience our services. DNSPQ students are expected to be kind and responsive but professional and informative and contribute to the quality of the services we provide by:

  • keeping the people who are using our services as safe as possible through the use of sound clinical skills and effective risk assessments.
  • ensuring that the best possible clinical outcomes by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence-based policies and procedures. 

    • Main duties of the job

    To work towards gaining the standards of proficiency for entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register/recordable for Specialist Community Practitioner.

    To work in a learning environment which will enable the student to develop knowledge, skills and competencies to take on the role of a qualified Specialist Community Practitioner within a defined pathway.

    To gain the knowledge and skills and competence required in order to exercise higher levels of judgment, discretion and decision making in clinical care focusing on four broad areas:

  • Clinical practice
  • Community Engagement
  • Clinical practice development
  • Leadership in clinical practice

    • The post of DNSPQ student is a developmental post building on existing knowledge, skills and competencies to achieve a higher level of practice resulting in an academic qualification as well as a recordable/registerable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

    Working for our organisation

  • Employee Assistance programme: a free and confidential service to help with personal life
  • Staying Well at Work service for tailored employment related support to staff with severe and long term mental health problems
  • Physio Med: an education zone, advice line and treatment service for staff
  • Staff Wellbeing Zone for free and confidential online health and wellbeing programmes
  • The Recovery College: offers a range of health and wellbeing courses for staff
  • A range of staff networks: The PRIDE@CNWL Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+) Network Disabled Employees Network
  • Lived Experience of Mental Health Staff Network
  • Carers at Work Network
  • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network (BME)

    • Detailed job description and main responsibilities

    Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing patients and families with a positive experience.

    The fundamental responsibilities of the post holder are to attain the academic credentials and the clinical skills required to practice as an NMC registered Specialist Community Practitioner on a defined pathway. These are summarised below:

  • To fulfil the requirements of the Specialist Community Practitioner programme by attending university course dates and practice placement days in accordance with University regulations.
  • To work with the Specialist Community Practice Teacher to develop the skills and competencies to achieve NMC Registration Standards for Specialist Community Practice.
  • With the support of the Specialist Community Practice Teacher to link the theoretical knowledge gained through the university programme to the practice situation.
  • To demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging National, Regional and local healthcare legislation, policies and guidelines as they relate to chosen pathway.
  • To develop/build on skills of caseload and team leadership and management.
  • To work within University Regulations pertaining to academic work and student conduct. To work within employing organisation policies as they relate to the relevant clinical setting.
  • To work within employing organisation policies relating to employee responsibilities.

    • Patient Safety DNSPQ students contribute to the provision of safe and reliable services by:

  • Using their clinical judgement and risk assessments to keep the people using our services as safe as possible.
  • Safeguarding people by recognising and responding when an adult or child might be at risk from abuse but also recognising their own limits, asking for help and escalating concerns when necessary.
  • Escalating safety concerns and by doing so acting as effective advocates for those who use our services.
  • Being open and transparent about their own practice.
  • Supervising the work of others.
  • Reflecting on everyday practice to identify areas where improvements in safety or quality can be made.
  • Working with others to create a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Maintaining accurate, legible, comprehensive written and electronic records.
  • Maintaining compliance with their mandatory training requirements.

    • Employer certification / accreditation badges

    Applicant requirements

    You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

    This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

    Documents to download