Job Description
Job overview
This role supports the delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred nursing care to adults and older people within the community. As a Community Staff Nurse (Band 5), the post holder will be responsible for assessing, planning, delivering, and evaluating nursing care for patients in their own homes and other community settings.
Working as part of a District Nursing team, the post holder will contribute to integrated, multi‑disciplinary working and support patients and carers to maintain independence, manage long‑term conditions, and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. The role is essential to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care in line with Trust values and national standards.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver holistic nursing care to patients in their own homes and community settings
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care plans
- Manage a defined caseload and prioritise workload effectively
- Work collaboratively with GPs, multidisciplinary teams, and partner agencies
- Provide health education and promote self‑care and independence
- Maintain accurate records in line with Trust and NMC standards
- Support students, new staff, and junior colleagues in practice
- Participate in team meetings, audits, and service improvement initiatives
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will work as an autonomous, registered practitioner, professionally and legally accountable for their practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Trust policies. They will undertake comprehensive patient assessments, develop and review care plans, deliver evidence‑based interventions, and evaluate outcomes in partnership with patients, carers, and the wider multidisciplinary team.
The role involves managing a daily caseload, recognising changes in patient condition, responding appropriately to clinical risk, and escalating concerns to the District Nurse or Team Lead as required. The post holder will support discharge planning, manage long‑term conditions, deliver palliative and end‑of‑life care when needed, and contribute to safeguarding adults and children.
The Community Staff Nurse will participate in clinical audit, reflective practice, appraisal, and ongoing professional development. They will contribute to a positive team culture, support students and colleagues in practice, and engage in service development activities to improve quality, safety, and patient experience. The role requires flexibility, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across community locations.
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment.
As part of the process, new starters will also have the opportunity to meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop‑in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement – Fringe Zone
This post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement (Fringe Zone), which covers areas just outside the M25, including parts of Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, and Kent.
The Fringe zone weighting is 5% of the basic salary, with a minimum payment of £1,346 and a maximum of £2,270 per annum, pro rata for part‑time staff.
Working for Us
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex, providing community and mental healthcare services to adults and children.
The Trust has award‑winning equality and diversity initiatives, alongside staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.
