Motor Neuron Disease - Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Neuroscience service at King’s supports a diverse population and has an international reputation for providing a wide range of expert clinical services for both regional and local patients. Our neuroscience service is continually evolving and offers new and exciting career options for our multidisciplinary teams.

We are seeking a kind, compassionate and experienced nurse to join the Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Care and Research Centre at King’s College Hospital as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The successful candidate will work alongside our established nurse specialist within the service and be a core member of this multidisciplinary team, working in conjunction with the neurologists, neuro-therapists and palliative care. They will be a designated professional contact for all patients and families affected by MND with responsibility for monitoring and improving patient and family experience within this specialty. They will offer advice, support and guidance to colleagues across KCH sites and the regional network, as well as supporting educational development.

Main duties of the job

As a specialist practitioner they will have the opportunity to explore new interventions as part of service development and will work with the research team to ensure research and care are integrated where appropriate.

This clinical specialty, combined with a team committed to providing high standards of care makes an exciting career opportunity for an ambitious neuroscience nurse.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

· To manage a complex caseload of patients/clients ensuring a high standard of evidence based nursing

· To act, with the clinic coordinator, as a key point of contact for clinical queries from people living with MND (patients, care-givers) and health professionals

· To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and social support

· To maintain clear lines of communication within the specialty team to ensure cohesive multidisciplinary management of patients.

· To play a lead role in the operational and strategic development of services for MND patients with an emphasis on in-patient services.

· To provide expert advice and leadership to all members of the multidisciplinary team on the provision of care for this patient group.

· To lead the development of evidence based clinical nursing practice in line with current research and guidelines

· To work within the multidisciplinary team to ensure best practice, including where necessary seeing patients within a nurse-led clinic.

· To work with the Motor Nerve Clinic administrator so as to ensure an efficient and responsive service that meets Trust standards and targets

· To work with the research team to help ensure research and care are integrated where appropriate

Person specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential criteria

• NMC Level 1 or Level 15 Registered Nurse
• A clinical expert either through formal qualification (Degree/Masters) and/or extensive clinical experience pertinent to the area
• Relevant post-registration qualification

Desirable criteria

• Higher Degree (MSc) or equivalent in a health related subject, or working towards

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Strong management/leadership skills
• Relevant, demonstrable experience in this or a related specialty area
• Advanced clinical assessment skills or willingness to develop these
• To have proven experience of service development
• Computer literacy
• Experience of running research and audit programmes
• Demonstrable change management experience
• Basic Counselling skills

Desirable criteria

• Experience of delivering presentations
• Project management skills
• Demonstrating an awareness of the complex issues involved in working across organisations and disciplines

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build up a rapport with patients and the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to impart complex information to patients, relatives and carers, with different levels of understanding
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to delivering a high quality of care and to developing services
• Flexible approach to changing situations

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications

King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website

King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.