Job summary
Join Hywel Dda University Health Board's Inpatient Acute Pain Service as a motivated and forward-thinking Registered Nurse, where you'll play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred care within a supportive and dynamic team.
We are recruiting a Clinical Nurse Specialist, ideally with experience in pain management services. However, applicants with the relevant knowledge, skills, and a willingness to develop are encouraged to apply, with an Annex 21 training programme available. Experience should include managing patients receiving regional analgesia (e.g. epidurals or nerve blocks), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and complex acute or acute-on-chronic pain.
You will join a friendly, supportive team focused on excellent care and continuous professional development. The role requires autonomous working, effective prioritisation, and strong communication with multidisciplinary teams including anaesthetists, pharmacists, ward staff, and allied health professionals. You will also contribute to education across teams and wider service development.
This is a permanent, full-time post working across Glangwili (clincial base site) and Withybush General Hospitals, depending on service need.
We welcome enquiries from candidates interested in developing a career in pain management, even if you don't currently meet all the criteria or would like to discuss working across two sites --please feel free to get in touch to discuss further.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
- Autonomously assess and manage patients with acute and acute-on-chronic pain using evidence-based approaches, including PCA, regional analgesia, and other advanced pain management techniques.
- Provide professional and clinical leadership in the care of inpatients with acute pain, acting as a key resource for patients, carers, and staff.
- Support patients in making informed decisions about managing complex health needs through the provision of high-quality, evidence-based guidance.
- Offer expert advice and guidance to multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe and effective pain management.
- Lead and contribute to the development of patient information resources and clinical guidelines.
- Play a key role in shaping good practice by contributing to protocol and guideline development.
- Deliver specialist education and training across multidisciplinary teams, including designing, delivering, and evaluating teaching programmes.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines and services, fostering strong professional relationships and shared learning.
- Contribute to service development through audit, research, and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring high professional standards are maintained.
- Engage in networking opportunities locally and across Wale
This role provides excellent opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and progression within a supportive and forward-thinking service.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97
- community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will benefit from a structured induction, opportunities to network across Wales, and clear progression pathways. The role offers an excellent worklife balance within a region known for its natural beauty and quality of life.
This post is advertised as a Band 7, however applicants who do not currently hold all the necessary competencies to a Band 7 level are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Annex 21 rules whereby 60% of the top of Band 7 will be payable in the first year, 65% second year, 70% third year and 75% fourth year.
Applicants would be supported to develop their competencies required to fulfil the role within four years via a development plan. Following successful completion and attainment of the skills and competencies for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 7 (minimum point on the scale). Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 16/07/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Registered first level Nurse with NMC Registration
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent experience (with a willingness to work towards this)
- Teaching qualification or experience.
- Evidence of post registration education in pain management
- Relevant degree or commitment to study at degree level.
- Clinical knowledge of acute/chronic pain and its management
- Understanding of the bio-psychosocial nature of chronic pain experience and management
- Understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Desirable
- Supplementary /Independent prescriber
- MSc Pain Management
- Evidence of study / research in this field
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience.
- Experience of working within a multiprofessional environment.
- Able to work autonomously
- Prior experience using a biopsychosocial approach to treatment
- Experience in the care of patients with regional and Patient Controlled Analgesia
Desirable
- Proven commitment to pain management care by evidence of professional development.
Language Skills
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Glangwili General Hospital
Dolgwili Road
Carmarthen
SA31 2AF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.