Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Registered Nurse to join our Neurology Service as a Band 7 Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the established MS Team and wider Neurology Team across Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, providing specialist care and support to people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

The post holder will manage a defined caseload, undertake specialist nurse-led clinics, provide expert assessment, symptom management, treatment monitoring, education and ongoing support, and work closely with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team across primary, secondary and tertiary care. The role also includes opportunities to contribute to service improvement, education, audit, research and the development of MS pathways and standards of care.

We welcome applications from experienced nurses with strong transferable skills in neurology, long-term conditions, acute or community care. Previous MS experience would be advantageous but is not essential, as we are keen to support the development of an experienced nurse with the clinical skills, professional judgement and enthusiasm to develop specialist expertise in Multiple Sclerosis.

The successful candidate will work closely with the MS Team and Lead Nurse - Neurology, while exercising appropriate clinical autonomy within their professional scope of practice and agreed service pathways.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist nursing care to people with Multiple Sclerosis, managing a defined caseload and delivering nurse-led clinics, specialist assessment, symptom management, treatment monitoring, patient education and ongoing support.

Working closely with the MS Team, wider Neurology Team and Lead Nurse - Neurology, the post holder will coordinate care across hospital, primary and community services and work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. The role will also involve medicines optimisation and non-medical prescribing where appropriately qualified, alongside contributions to education, audit, quality improvement and the ongoing development of MS care.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as an autonomous specialist practitioner within the MS Team and wider Neurology Service, providing expert nursing care to people with Multiple Sclerosis. Responsibilities will include management of a defined caseload, delivery of nurse-led clinics, specialist assessment, symptom management, treatment monitoring, patient and carer education, and multidisciplinary working.

The post holder will work closely with the MS Team, Lead Nurse Neurology, consultant neurologists and colleagues across primary, secondary and community care. The role will also include contributions to medicines optimisation, teaching, audit, quality improvement and service development within agreed governance arrangements.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Adult Nurse with current NMC registration.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to clinical practice.
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification.
• Relevant teaching, mentorship or practice assessor qualification.
• Postgraduate qualification in neuroscience, long-term conditions, Advanced Clinical Practice or another relevant specialty.
• Advanced clinical assessment qualification.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience.
• Experience caring for patients with complex or long-term conditions.
• Experience of clinical assessment, care planning and patient/carer support.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working, audit, service evaluation or quality improvement.

Desirable

• Experience caring for people with MS or another neurological condition.
• Experience of managing a caseload and/or nurse-led clinics.
• Knowledge of MS symptoms, treatments and evidence-based guidance.
• Experience of treatment monitoring, medicines optimisation or specialist therapies.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound clinical judgement within professional scope.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within the MS Team, wider Neurology Team and multidisciplinary team, or similar setting.

Desirable

• Advanced clinical assessment skills.
• Teaching or presentation experience.
• Evidence of clinical leadership.
• Experience of service improvement or pathway development.

Personal / Other

Essential

• Demonstrates Trust values and professional behaviours.
• Commitment to developing specialist knowledge and skills in Multiple Sclerosis.
• Recognises when consultation, collaboration or escalation is required.
• Willing and able to work cross-site and undertake community/home visits where required.

Desirable

• Evidence of reflective practice.
• Links with relevant neurological or specialist nursing networks.
• Experience of patient/carer engagement initiatives.
• Experience of research or innovation.