Job overview
**** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SUSSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ****
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nurse to join the Headache Clinical Nurse Specialist team as a band 7.
The post holder will will be responsible for the delivery of a high-quality outpatient clinic service, providing pre-treatment counselling and screening, monitoring of therapy/clinical response, urgent intervention and admission avoidance consultations. The post holder will do this by independently delivering a combination of face to face and telemed appointments to our patient cohort, and administer injectable therapies for headache.
As well as this, the post holder will have the opportunity to work alongside the lead nurse and lead Neurologist for headache on service development and ensuring robust governance processes are in place. The post-holder will support junior colleagues, assisting the lead nurse with line management.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
The Headache Nurse Specialist work alongside the lead nurse toestablishand lead the delivery of a service for headache disorders that aligns with nationally recognised protocols and policies includingNICEqualitystandards,toensurethatadultpatientsreceivethebestpossible care according to their needs.
The post holder will work collaboratively with the neurology team to meet the needs of the patients; they will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of a high-quality outpatient clinic service, targeted patient groups including pre-treatment counselling and screening, monitoring of therapy/clinical response, urgent intervention and admission avoidance consultations.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
Patient care delivery
1. Assess adult patient’s health and wellbeing needs in relation to their headache disorder.
2. Plan and provide the nursing lead for headache patients in Brighton and Hoveand across Sussex.
3. To work autonomously in accessing, formulating, adapting and evaluating highly complex clinical decisions and treatment plans to manage acute and chronic illness that relates to a patient’s disease or treatment.
4. Delivery of a safe, effective, nurse led service for patients receiving specific treatment for headache, e.g. Greater Occipital Nerve block, Botulinum injection, CGRP antibodies.
5. Co-ordinate the care of patients following the headache and injectable pathways to ensure effective personalised nursing care is delivered to patients and their families, in partnership with the multiple disciplinary team (MDT). Liaise with and establish pathways for referrals into the service.
6. ContributetothemonthlyfacialpainMDT.
7. Utilise expert knowledge to act as specialist resource service by promoting the service and increasing the awareness of the condition in hospital and primarycare settings to enhance standards of care.
8. To maintain and expand professional practice in headache and migraine management in line with the principles contained within the nursing professional codes.
9. Contributetoeffectiveclinicalgovernancesystems.
10. Offerexpertadviceandsupporttocolleaguesinrelationtoheadache disorders.
11. Provide face to face and telephone clinics as well as telephone advice and guidance.
12. Provides nursing lead in the development of patient service at a clinical and strategic level in liaising with members of the multidisciplinary team.
13. Support the prevention of A&E attendances by providing the follow up after an A&E attendance of adult patients with headache disorders already known to a Neurology Consultant.
14. Willing to undertake the responsibility of being a non-medical prescriber in line with Trust policy and Standards for Nurse Prescriber (NMC).
15. Workcollaborativelywithpatientstoenablethemto makeinformedchoicesabout their care and treatment through concordance.
Communication
16. Demonstrates excellent communication and listening skills with patients, relatives and staff providing reassurance and empathy when dealing with complex management issues.
17. Ensures that there are consistent and high standards of documentation and care planning related to management in patients’ medical notes.
18. Ensuresfeedbackfrompatients/carers/relativesiscollectedandactedupon.
19. Presents highly specialist management information to large groups of Trust staff of all grades
Service Delivery and Improvement
20. Maintain, develop and implement professional policies, standards and practices across the Trust.
21. Actively contribute to setting and monitoring standards in nursing practice and service provision.
22. Take responsibility for Policy and Service development, as delegated by Senior Management or as required, in line with changing legal or professional requirements.
People management anddevelopment
23. Provides indirect professional and managerial support to the clinical nurse specialist in the headache service, in matter of clinical practice, staff training, education and career development and mentoring.
24. Assist the Lead Nurse in the planning of future staffing and service needs and determining operational priorities from the Trust’s strategic plans/objectives.
25. Assist with the identification/implementation of service improvements, and develop practice in line with the National, Trust, Directorate and Departmental objectives.
26. Has delegated responsibility for ensuring any untoward incidents/accidents are reported and that appropriate investigation, corrective action and documentation take place. Ensure any learning is share across the Trust.
27. Share responsibility for the delivery and on-going development of the headache service with Lead Nurse and Neurology Consultant
28. In the absence of the lead nurse ensuresthatstaffresourcesaredeployedinthe mostappropriateandefficientway and act accordingly.
29. Assists with appraisals for the nursing team and ensure regular role reviews and initiatives to meet the needs of the service.
30. EnsuresthatselfandothersadheretoallrelevantTrustpolicies.
31. Ensures that grievances/disputes and complaints are resolved speedily and at the lowest possible level of the organisation.
32. Promote a positive working environment and a service-orientated and patient/customer – focused approach to work.
33. The post holder is accountable for theirown practice and should take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve their knowledge and professional competence.
34. Attend mandatory and statutory training as required.
35. Attend relevant education, training and study days as required.
36. Ensure that practice isin accordance with the NMC/ HPC Code of Professional Conduct and other appropriate NMC/ HPC and statutory guidelines.
37. Maintain own professional development and identify ongoing learning needs in accordance with annual performance review and regular clinical supervision, thereby creating a personal development plan.
38. Attend relevant educational activities, conferences and training programs to maintainan appropriate level of clinical expertise in line with the professional code of conduct
Learning and development
39. Supports the lead nurse with workforce development through the delivery of high quality training and education, utilising expert knowledge and skills in the identification of trainingneeds and delivery of subject matter (including managing complex conditions).
Actsasaprofessional supervisorandutiliseprofessional supervision withreflective practice skills to enhance development of self and colleagues in the inter-professional team, to optimise care.
Draws on expert knowledge in the training, education and development of all professional groups atindividual, team and organisational levels including advising the senior nursing team on training and development needs of nursing staff. Devices competencies for staff to work towards and achieve.
Assists the lead nurse to: Identify,developandreviewcompetencybasedframeworksforadvancedskills development for all staff in relation to patient management
40. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
41. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
42. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
43. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
44. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Qualifications / Experience
Essential criteria
45. Previous experience working in Neurosciences
46. Evidence of specialist studies
47. Experience of delivering injectable treatments
48. NMC registration
49. MSc or working towards
50. Teaching and Assessing qualification
Desirable criteria
51. Previous experience working in Headache
52. Non-medical prescriber
53. Experience of delivering injectable treatments specific to Headache management
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
54. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
55. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications