Job overview

This role plays a pivotal part within the Liver Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) service, providing specialist support for patients presenting with, or at risk of, acute alcohol withdrawal and alcohol-related liver disease. Working under the guidance of the Liver CNS team, the post holder delivers timely assessment, treatment planning, education, and ongoing support to ensure safe, evidence-based care throughout the patient's hospital journey.

The role acts as a key link between acute hospital services, community providers, and external support agencies, helping to develop personalised care pathways that improve patient outcomes, enhance the patient experience, and reduce avoidable admissions and readmissions. By ensuring patients and their families receive appropriate information, signposting, and onward referrals, the post holder contributes to a more coordinated and sustainable approach to managing alcohol-related harm and liver disease.

In addition to direct patient care, the role supports service development initiatives, promotes best practice across multidisciplinary teams, and contributes to the education and training of nursing staff, learners, and support workers. As the service evolves, the post holder may also develop specialist competencies within hepatology services, including Fibroscan assessment and independent clinic activity, further strengthening the Trust's capacity to deliver high-quality liver care.

Main duties of the job

The primary purpose of the role is to improve the identification, assessment, and management of patients affected by alcohol withdrawal and alcohol-related liver disease, ensuring a coordinated and patient-centred approach to care. The post holder will work collaboratively with the Liver CNS team, acute clinical services, community providers, and external agencies to deliver seamless care pathways that support recovery, improve patient experience, and promote long-term health outcomes.

Alongside direct clinical responsibilities, the post holder will contribute to the development of specialist liver services through education, service improvement activities, and the adoption of evidence-based practice. By supporting patients, families, and healthcare professionals, the role will help strengthen the Trust's capability to deliver high-quality hepatology and alcohol care while reducing healthcare inequalities, unnecessary admissions, and repeat presentations.

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?