Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced paediatric  nurse to join our team as a Neurology Nurse Specialist.
This amazing opportunity  has arisen to enable an increased level of  specialist support  to children and families with Neurological conditions being managed under SCH across the Wessex region.
The successful post-holder will work within our established Neurology Nurse Specialist team. They will provide some support to our general Neurology caseload; however, their primary focus will be working alongside another  part-time  Neuromuscular Nurse Specialist to provide holistic care to children with neuromuscular conditions.
Our Neurology service covers CYP from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, and beyond.  

We have a well-established Neurology Nurse service which is integrated with a wider MDT, including OT, physiotherapy, speech and language, psychology, dietetics, hospital school and play therapy, specialist nursing and medical input. 
The role will cover children and adolescents (0-18 years). The post-holder will work with our inpatient caseload as well as within dedicated Neuromuscular MDT clinics and will support the General Neurology rapid access clinic.
There will be opportunity to develop both personally and professionally within the role with access to training and education to improve knowledge and skill.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Children’s Hospital is a teaching hospital and one of 10 largest children’s hospitals within the UK. It is located within University Hospital Southampton. We have a vast range of Paediatric specialities including a level 3 PICU, and being a designated Major Trauma, neurosurgical, neurorehabilitation and neuromuscular centre.  Our NM team prides themselves on providing an exemplary service and the team are keen to support patients in meeting the standards of care and accessing new and emerging treatments.
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated overall as ‘Good’ by CQC and ‘Outstanding’ for care and effectiveness.

About this post:

This post will provide inpatient and outpatient support , tailored to the needs of patients and their families. The post holder will work autonomously and will offer specialist neuromuscular and neurology advice, acting as a source of expertise and knowledge for families and other health care professionals across the region. Responsibilities of this role include providing holistic inpatient and outpatient care, audits, data collection, research, and linking with charities. 

The post holder will be supported by our Band 7 Neurology Nurse Specialist and work alongside another Band 6 Neuromuscular nurse specialist.

Our expectations:

• Act as point of contact for Neuromuscular patients, linking with family and MDT to ensure consistency of care and accuracy of information sharing.
• Act as an advocate for child/young person.
• Act as a resource for information for MDT staff and families.
• Provide a telephone triage and advice service.
• Provide support for integration into nursery/school/college and at key transition points.
• Provide training and education to nursery/school/college teams.
• Provide training for UHS staff, family, and child/young person about the importance of how best to manage their condition and promote health.
• Ensure appropriate timely interventions to minimise impact of diagnosis.
• Provide advice to local hospitals within our region for patient neuromuscular conditions.  
• Link with external agencies including charity sector support services.
• Support transition to adult services and promote independence.
• Provide general neurology support to inpatients and those accessing the rapid access clinic.
• Complete National database data collection. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• An enthusiastic, motivated, dynamic, and experienced nurse, with a knowledge and interest in the care of children and young people with neurological and neuromuscular conditions.
• Someone with excellent communication and organisational skills, who can deliver teaching to a variety of audiences (staff and families), with differing training needs.
• Experience of working within Paediatrics.
• Comprehensive Band 5 or Band 6 experience
• Someone who embodies the Trust values.
• The ability to work both autonomously, and as part of an MDT, being respectful of professional roles and responsibilities.
• Confidence to engage with national and local networks, promoting and supporting the Neuromuscular Service.
• Ability to drive/travel between sites to enable school/ community visits.

Due the unique nature of this post we welcome informal enquires or visits – please contact on 02380208392.

We look forward to hearing from you, and answering any questions you may have about this exciting role.

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.
• Confident of own knowledge base, aware of learning needs and seeks guidance when appropriate.
• Able to critically review and communicate clinical information.

Desirable criteria

• Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Counselling qualification
• Palliative care course
• IT training
• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.
• Interest in nurse –led care.
• Organisational/strategic awareness.
• Clear about professional accountability and autonomous practice components of role.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Communication
• Self-motivated
• Problem solving
• Delegation
• Leadership
• Motivational
• Teamwork
• General IT skills
• Prioritisation
• Working under pressure

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.