Respiratory Nurse Specialist

Provide specialist respiratory assessment, diagnosis

support, and evidence-based interventions for patients with complex respiratory

conditions.

Lead and manage nurse-led clinics (COPD, asthma, drug

trials, 6MWT.).

Deliver timely interventions to support early discharge and

prevent avoidable admissions.

Carry out advanced respiratory assessments, including

spirometry, peak flow monitoring, oxygen saturation assessment, and inhaler

technique reviews.

Initiate, titrate and evaluate oxygen therapy in line with

national and local guidelines.

Provide expert advice on the management of acute

exacerbations and chronic disease symptoms.

Support patients with long-term condition management,

self-management plans and personalised care planning.

Work collaboratively with the wider MDT including

respiratory consultants, physiotherapists, pharmacists and community teams.

Educate patients and families regarding disease management,

inhaler use, lifestyle changes and treatment plans

The role also includes outpatient clinics for nebulised

antibiotics, and biologic therapies for

severe asthma, as well supporting with our sleep service.

A Respiratory Nurse Specialist works as an expert clinician

within the hospital to assess, treat and support patients with a wide range of

acute and chronic respiratory conditions. The role combines advanced clinical

care, patient education, service development, and multidisciplinary team

working.

Main duties and responsibilities

Facilitating early

supported discharge from hospital to the virtual ward or Hospital at Home.

Ensuring smooth

transitions between services by providing clear handover, discharge advice and

safety-netting.

Supporting data

collection, audit and service evaluation for both the Hospital at Home and

Virtual Ward pathways.

Performing

Comprehensive respiratory assessments

Respiratory rate, work of breathing, auscultation

Oxygen saturation and ABG interpretation

Exertional testing and breathlessness scoring

Reviewing and

optimising inhaler use, medication adherence and treatment plans.

Supporting

Management of acute conditions such as

COPD exacerbations

Asthma attacks

Pneumonia

ILD

Bronchiectasis flare-ups

Delivering clinical

interventions including nebulised medications, oxygen therapy titration, and

airway clearance support.

delivering respiratory clinics to administer asthma

biologics, 6MWT, nebulised drug trials.

Managing oxygen and supporting staff with advice to wean and

manage 02.

Contribute to virtual ward MDT meetings, discussing patient

progress and care plans.

Participate in service development initiatives to improve

patient outcomes and pathways.

Contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement projects

and research where appropriate.

Ensure practice aligns with local and national guidelines

(e.g., NICE, BTS, GOLD).

Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive patient

documentation.

Adhere to infection prevention and control standards and

promote safe practice across the service.

Maintain professional registration and comply with NMC

standards of practice.

Engage in continuing professional development and attend

mandatory training.

Act as an autonomous practitioner while recognising limits

of competence and seeking support where required.

Represent the respiratory nursing

team in meetings, working groups and specialty development forums

patient and family education, smoking cessation, inhaler technqiue,

managemet plans

work with in the

MDT with respiratory consultants, pharmacists, community repsiratory nurses

carrying out

specialist procedures such as spirometry and FeNO

Assess patients with a diagnosis of OSA, initiate treatment,

educate and advise appropriately.

Follow up patients on CPAP therapy, adjust

treatments and troubleshoot as

necessary.

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on

AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of

success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Special Requirements

Qualifications

Special Skills & Knowledge

Statutory Registration

Experience