PiCC & Vascular Access CNS

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering Excellent, Compassionate and Respectful care across our three acute hospital sites. As part of our ongoing transformation to improve quality, reduce harm, and enhance patient experience, we are seeking an experienced and motivated Clinical Nurse Specialist in Vascular Access to join our specialist team PiCC & Vascular Access based at Southend Hospital.

This is a key leadership role supporting the Trust's ambition to provide safe, timely, and equitable vascular access for all patients. You will work autonomously as an expert practitioner, providing advanced assessment, ultrasound-guided vascular access insertion, and specialist advice for patients with complex needs. We work in alignment with the NIVAS 2026 Standards to ensure clinical excellence in vascular access.

Your work will directly support our trust strategic aims: improving outcomes, reducing unwarranted variation, strengthening patient flow, and ensuring every patient receives care that is excellent, delivered with compassion, and grounded in respect.

• Be committed to a team working approach
• Have a professional approach towards patients relatives & colleagues
• Be an effective communicator
• Be innovative and enthusiastic
• Be willing to participate in service development
• Be keen to undertake personal professional development

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities for this role include ensuring the timely selection and insertion of the most appropriate vascular access device for each patient, such as PICC lines, midlines, or ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulas, based on individual clinical need. The post holder will undertake expert assessment of all patients referred to the vascular access service, using advanced clinical judgement to determine the most suitable course of action. They will provide specialist education and clear, accessible information regarding vascular access devices to patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, supporting safe and effective care within the scope of the service.

The role also involves the skilled insertion of PICC lines, midlines and other central venous access devices in accordance with agreed clinical guidelines and following appropriate training. In addition, the post holder will be responsible for planning and delivering appropriate follow-up care for patients after device insertion to ensure optimal outcomes and minimise complications. Active participation in audit, service review and ongoing evaluation is required to maintain high standards and support continuous improvement.

Furthermore, the individual will offer specialist advice and professional support to patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals both within and outside the organisation, contributing to multidisciplinary 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting new role using your unique qualities? Then we want to hear from you?

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NMC Registration
• Evidence of specialist training and competency in vascular access devices

Desirable criteria

• Masters/Postgraduate Qualification
• Teaching/assessing quaalification
• ALS

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Expert knowledge and clinical experience in vascular access devices, including PICC, Midline and CVADs, encompassing assessment, device selection, ongoing management and complication management.
• Significant post registration clinical experience within an acute hospital setting, with evidence of working autonomously in a specialist practice role.
• Experience of delivering or assisting in the running of a nurse led vascular access service, including outpatient and inpatient activity, referral management, and liaison with multidisciplinary teams.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

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