Parkinson's Disease Specialist Nurse in Northampton

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Registered Nurse to join our Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) Team at NHFT, a Trust rated “Outstanding” by the CQC. You will provide specialist assessment, symptom management and support to people with Parkinson’s disease and related conditions across community, clinic and home-based settings. Working as part of a countywide team, you will manage a specialist caseload, deliver evidence-based care, support medication management and empower patients and carers to maximise independence and quality of life.

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate nurse with experience in long-term conditions, strong communication skills and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Experience in Parkinson’s disease is desirable, along with a willingness to undertake further specialist training (including non-medical prescribing where appropriate).

We offer:

• Generous annual leave (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Strong health and wellbeing support
• Flexible, supportive working environment

NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances. NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our ‘outstanding’ rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce. At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to be an accredited living wage employer. We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where people feel valued and able to thrive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the ‘About You’ Section of the document.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Holds or is willing to complete the NISP course V300
• Registered Nurse with professional Degree
• Completed or willingness to work towards the ‘Nursing and Management of people with PD and related conditions’ Module
• Demonstrates evidence of performing accurate, comprehensive and holistic clinical assessments, generating appropriate treatment options and management of complex cases, in collaboration with the MDT
• Previous experience of caring for people with Parkinson’s Disease
• Demonstrates ability to plan, implement and evaluate care delivery using evidence based practice, according to changing health needs in a variety of settings in a manner which respects people’s privacy, dignity and individuality in an environment that is appropriate to their current physical and emotional needs
• Experience of delivering specialist led clinics where appropriate in a variety of settings
• Demonstrates experience of contributing to audit to monitor the quality and effectiveness of service provision

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates experience of providing specialised advice, support and education in the management of the diverse problems relating to Parkinson’s Disease to individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, their relatives, carers, professionals and others within voluntary and statutory bodies
• Clear evidence of ability to work as an autonomous practitioner, managing and prioritising own caseload according to local guidelines and identified need, in a variety of settings, exercising high levels of judgment, discretion, problem solving and decision making in clinical care
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients who may have sensory and speech difficulties, in multiple settings including via telephone and video
• Experience of participating in case conferences as appropriate, ensuring collaborative working to meet the ongoing identified needs/treatments of the individual, ensuring effective feedback of information
• Able to accurately maintain clinical notes using SystmOne
• Ability to communicate with patients and their relatives when they are nearing or in the palliative phase of the illness

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds. All roles are subject to the home office immigration rules and therefore eligibility must meet certain requirements for any sponsorship to be considered.

At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re-check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly; the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy.

Please note if a DBS is applicable for the position then a charge will be deducted from your first salary. Please note that all new starters to the trust are subject to a probationary period.