NHS 111 Clinical Advisor
Job Description
Job summary
Purpose of the Role
The post holder will be responsible for assessing callers with a wide spectrum of clinical conditions, advising patients on next steps, and referring them on to further care when appropriate. The computer based clinical decision systems NHS Pathways will facilitate and support the advice given. NHS 111 Clinical Advisors will be required to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the service provided by DHU 111 (East Midlands) CIC providing quality, evidence-based health care to meet the immediate needs of the patient. Demonstrating a commitment to a high-quality service, excellence in clinical practice and continuous professional development are integral to the role and to the development of the service.
Main duties of the job
NHS 111 Clinical Advisor - Responsibilities and Requirements
- Deliver safe, effective telephone triage, assessment and clinical validation for patients of all ages using NHS Pathways and clinical decision support systems.
- Provide evidence-based advice, promote self-care, and direct patients to appropriate healthcare services across primary, secondary, community, and emergency care settings.
- Support Health Advisors and colleagues through clinical guidance, applying advanced communication, negotiation, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills in a high-pressure environment.
- Maintain accurate patient records and deliver compassionate, patient-centred care while meeting service quality and performance standards.
- Maintain professional registration (NMC, HCPC, GPhC or equivalent), clinical competence, and ongoing professional development.
- Participate in supervision, performance reviews, mandatory training, and service development activities.
- Work in accordance with professional codes of conduct, organisational values, and current clinical guidelines.
- Registered Nurse (Adult), Paramedic, or Pharmacist with a minimum of two years' post-registration clinical experience.
- Broad clinical knowledge and experience, including acute, urgent, primary, or community care settings.
- Able to work autonomously and effectively under pressure while managing competing priorities.
- Flexible to meet service demands, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
About us
We are always:
- Compassionate we show kindness, consideration and understanding in everything we do and demonstrate our caring nature to our patient, people and communities.
- Accomplished we are available day and night a response, adaptable, professional NHS partner, providing the best advice, care and treatment for every individual.
- Respectful we recognise the value that individual and team difference bring, welcoming views, listening, being honest, and learning from others experiences.
- Encouraging we believe everyone matters, so we inspire confidence in others promoting speaking up, fostering career-long learning and development, and supporting improvement ideas.
Job responsibilities
NHS 111 Clinical Advisor
Purpose of the Role
The post holder is responsible for assessing callers presenting with a wide range of clinical conditions, providing advice, determining appropriate next steps, and referring patients to further care when required. Using NHS Pathways and other clinical decision support systems, the Clinical Advisor delivers safe, evidence-based care as part of a multidisciplinary team within DHU 111 (East Midlands) CIC.
The role requires a commitment to high-quality patient care, clinical excellence, continuous professional development, and service improvement.
DHU Values
The post holder is expected to role model DHU values:
- Compassionate Demonstrating kindness, empathy, and understanding towards patients, colleagues, and communities.
- Accomplished Providing responsive, adaptable, and professional care and advice 24/7.
- Respectful Valuing diversity, listening to others, and learning from different perspectives and experiences.
- Encouraging Supporting confidence, development, innovation, and a culture of speaking up.
Telephone Triage
- Conduct telephone triage, clinical validation, and assessment using NHS Pathways and other clinical decision support systems.
- Assess patients of all ages presenting with physical and mental health concerns.
- Provide safe, evidence-based advice, including self-care guidance where appropriate.
- Support Health Advisors and colleagues through the clinical advice line.
- Facilitate access to appropriate healthcare services across primary, secondary, community, tertiary, and emergency care settings.
- Use effective communication and negotiation skills to agree appropriate care plans with patients.
- Maintain accurate patient records and deliver care with compassion, empathy, and professionalism.
- Apply sound clinical judgement, critical thinking, and decision-making skills under pressure.
- Maintain NHS Pathways competence and work within individual scope of practice.
- Promote patient-centred care and support callers to make informed decisions about their health.
- Participate in clinical governance, quality improvement, research, and service development activities.
- Practice in accordance with organisational policies, protocols, and guidelines.
- Recognise and escalate safeguarding concerns relating to adults and children.
- Report incidents, complaints, and compliments in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with Information Governance, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, and safeguarding requirements.
- Adhere to equality, diversity, health and safety, and organisational policies.
- Maintain active professional registration and comply with relevant professional codes of conduct.
- Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, performance reviews, and continuing professional development.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of clinical guidelines, best practice, and service developments.
- Act as a mentor and role model, supporting the development of Clinical Advisors and Health Advisors.
- Attend mandatory training, meetings, and system updates as required.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, healthcare professionals, and external agencies.
- Escalate outstanding concerns appropriately and contribute to a safe, professional working environment.
- Undertake additional duties as required to support operational service needs.
Essential Qualifications
- Registered Nurse (Adult), Registered Paramedic, or Registered Pharmacist with current professional registration.
- Minor Illness/Injury qualification.
- Mentoring or coaching qualification.
- Minimum of two years' post-registration clinical experience.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary and multi-agency environments.
- Broad clinical knowledge and experience, including acute and/or primary care settings.
- Experience working independently.
- Evidence of ongoing learning, training, and professional development.
- NHS 111 triage or telephone advice experience.
- Experience working within primary care.
- Strong clinical assessment, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to gather, assess, document, and manage patient information accurately.
- Good IT literacy and confidence using telephony-based systems.
- Understanding of patient confidentiality, accountability, and data protection requirements.
- Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and contribute to service development.
- Understanding of healthcare pathways across primary, secondary, community, and tertiary care settings.
- Commitment to supporting, coaching, and mentoring colleagues.
- Awareness of current developments within health and social care.
- Knowledge of local primary care services and stakeholders.
- Specialist IT skills.
- Commitment to the role and continuous professional development.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including weekends, bank holidays, and unsocial hours.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Positive and proactive approach to patient care and colleague support. ...
