Lead Nurse of the Child and Adolescent Epilepsy Service in Leicester

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to be part of a rapidly expanding team thanks to a pilot program from the local ICB. This is a rare chance to be part of a developing service that will provide accessible and efficient care to children and young people with epilepsy.

As a strong clinical leader, this role will lead on the strategic development and commissioning of clinical networks, provide patient-focused care, and create a collaborative approach with the multi-disciplinary teams. The successful candidate will lead and support an experienced team by providing supervision to allow them to develop their interests in the area.

• Implement and develop a service that is easily identifiable, highly visible, and accessible to patients, carers, and staff.
• Accountable for the efficient and effective management of the Children’s & Young Peoples Epilepsy Service across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland (LLR).
• Act as clinical lead & manager for the Paediatric Epilepsy nursing team, managing sickness absence, appraisal & training.
• Act as a recognised expert in the field of epilepsy nursing and provide professional leadership in all areas of practice.
• Analyse the impact of the Epilepsy Nurse Specialist across LLR to identify change opportunities and recommend actions.
• Liaise with ward staff offering placements to students and insight visits to newly appointed staff.

Maintain clinical experience and provide expertise in the specialist area of Paediatric Epilepsy care to patients, families, and professionals. Liaise with Leicestershire Education and Effectiveness Partnership (LEEP 1) to coordinate training for schools in CYP epilepsy including use of emergency medications and support development of epilepsy champions in schools.

Provide a nurse-led review clinic to offer additional support to families/carers and consultant team. Lead the development of a working partnership with the Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) collaborative of LLR ICB and plan for joint clinics with specialist LD nurses.

In collaboration with paediatric education leads, develop dedicated training specific to the Network and ensure a development training programme is in place for nurses and other professionals who may care for children requiring Paediatric Epilepsy Services.

Develop dedicated guidance, SOPs, and protocols in the Paediatric Epilepsy Service as relevant to the development of the Network. Work to ensure that transitions in care are as seamless as possible and that information to support the experience of the whole transition process is accurate and readily available.

Provide support to patients, their families, and professionals around end of life care and unexpected death, working closely with the children’s and adult palliative care services.

Work with parent/patient representatives and other health personnel to improve patients and families experience throughout their journey. Provide advice and clinical support during investigations into specific patient complaints where appropriate.

Independently prescribe clinically relevant medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols.

Work collaboratively to help lead the development and practice of audit, research, and evidence-based paediatric nursing. Advocate on behalf of parents and other service users to ensure high quality care is available and accessible to those who need it across the network.

Ensure the delivery, monitoring, and future planning of Paediatric Epilepsy services are in line with National Standards, NICE guidance, and other relevant service specifications.

Support the management of robust clinical governance arrangements for the Network and the development and implementation of Network protocols and standard operating procedures for Paediatric Epilepsy services.

Support the development and delivery of an annual audit programme and the reporting of incidents to the Network.

Work collaboratively with Paediatric Lead Nurses and Epilepsy Lead Nurses and other regional multi-disciplinary teams to achieve national goals and share learning between Networks.

Ensure that within the service area, governance and risk management are seen to be everyone’s responsibility.

Help make the case for resources where necessary for submission to the host Trust Management team and local specialist commissioners.

Contribute to the production of an annual Governance Plan, including relevant clinical audit activity.

Build strong relationships with key stakeholders in all centres across the Network.

Support the General/Service Manager in producing a communications strategy to include engagement with relevant Strategic Clinical Networks, Academic Health Science Networks, charitable organisations, parent/family representatives, and members of the public.

Take responsibility for ensuring self and all staff comply with mandatory training and NMC professional re-registration requirements.

Teach and assist others to develop professionally, reaching their full potential. Encourage professional accountability in others.

Actively promote and participate in clinical supervision / mentorship or equivalent support mechanisms.

Collaborate at an international and national level with paediatric and adolescent Epilepsy research and audit.

• Registration on relevant part of the register with the NMC or HCPC with no restrictions on practice.
• Master's level education meeting the requirements of the national framework for Advanced Level Practice.
• Knowledge relevant to paediatric epilepsy.
• Recognised Teaching & Assessing Qualification.
• Research module as part of Master’s.
• Independent Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) if permitted within professional group.
• Post graduate management / leadership qualification or willingness to undertake.
• Counselling qualification.
• Research qualification.

• In-depth specialist knowledge of Paediatric Nursing Care of chronic long-term conditions.
• Understanding of Networks.
• Patient and carer centred approach to care.
• Demonstrate personal and professional pride in nursing and the NHS.
• Advocate for patient groups.
• Be willing to be adaptable and flexible to meet service requirements.
• Experience in clinical research.
• Understanding of critical appraisal techniques.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.