Job Summary
We are looking to recruit an experienced senior nurse as a Band 7 Epilepsy Specialist Nurse within the Neurology Specialist Nursing service at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). You will provide expert care for patients with epilepsy across outpatient, inpatient and in‑reach settings, supporting the Epilepsy pathway and driving improvements across the neurological services.
Main Duties
Clinical
* Act as a key worker, delivering expert specialist advice to patients, carers and staff.
* Plan and deliver comprehensive patient care in the specialist area.
* Deliver care for adults, children and young people with epilepsy.
* Proactively manage workload and clinical caseload, making care, treatment and support decisions.
* Coordinate the epilepsy patient pathway service with the Lead Epilepsy consultant and senior management, ensuring evidence‑based practice and national standards for patient safety.
* Lead specialist nurse‑led clinics, optimising complex treatment regimens, facilitating discharge and preventing avoidable admissions.
Managerial
* Represent STSFT in meetings relevant to epilepsy care.
* Participate in service, governance and directorate level discussions (neurology clinical governance).
* Contribute to MDT meetings, ensuring appropriate patient review and treatment discussions.
Audit / Research / Governance
* Participate in audit, research and governance activity for the Epilepsy and wider Neurology service.
* Continuously improve clinical care standards in line with the STSFT governance framework.
Qualifications
Essential
* Current first‑level NMC registration.
* Degree in nursing studies or a relevant clinical degree (UK equivalent).
* Postgraduate level study or equivalent specialist study/experience.
* Mentorship certificate or Practice Assessor training, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Clinical skills accreditation.
* Non‑medical prescribing or willingness to complete it.
Desirable
* Leadership and Management Course.
* Basic knowledge of financial management.
Experience
Essential
* Extensive post‑registration experience, including senior level within the required specialist area.
* Experience of care delivery and leading a team.
* Evidence of leading innovation, change management and practice development.
* Experience coordinating care for a caseload of patients.
Desirable
* Budget management experience.
* Participation in recruitment and selection.
* Project management skills.
* Experience conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence.
* Experience implementing quality frameworks.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
* Advanced specialist knowledge and skills within the specialist sphere.
* Good to intermediate IT skills.
* Effective presentation/report writing skills.
* Understanding of contemporary nursing issues.
* Evidence of continuous professional development.
* Knowledge of facilitating learning.
* Leadership skills.
* Knowledge of professional and clinical governance.
* Knowledge of research and clinical audit.
* Experience handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
* Venepuncture, cannulation and IV drug administration.
* Proven interpersonal skills.
* Practice assessor skills.
* Counselling and appraisal skills.
* Evidence of competency in nursing practices appropriate to the post.
* Time management.
* Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care.
Desirable
* Qualification in a specialty.
* Resource management skills.
Physical Skills
Essential
* Ability to assist patients moving as per the Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
* Capable of carrying teaching equipment such as laptops and stationery.
* Manual dexterity and up‑to‑date working knowledge of equipment (e.g. syringe drivers, infusion pumps).
Contact
Matron, Carole Gibson – 0191 5656256 or carole.gibson2@nhs.net
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