Job overview
We are seeking motivated, dynamic, and passionate Band 7 Community Parkinson's Specialist Nurse to work within our Community team across Bedfordshire.
The post holder will lead and deliver a high-quality specialist Parkinson’s Disease nursing service, managing a defined caseload of patients with Parkinson’s Disease and related Parkinsonism. Working autonomously and in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, primary care, and partner organisations, the role focuses on providing holistic, evidence-based, patient-centred care in community settings.
As a key specialist resource, the Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse will provide expert clinical advice, education, and support to patients, families, carers, and healthcare professionals, while contributing to service development, quality improvement, and strategic planning in line with local and national guidance.
Main duties of the job
This is an excellent opportunity to develop and utilise specialist knowledge and skills within a Community Parkinson’s Disease service. The role focuses on the assessment, management, and ongoing support of people living with Parkinson’s Disease and related Parkinsonism, providing expert symptom management, education, and support to patients, families, and carers across community settings.
You will work autonomously to deliver holistic, evidence-based care, supporting patients to maintain independence, quality of life, and self-management for as long as possible. The role includes advanced clinical assessment, complex decision-making, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, primary care, and partner organisations.
You will also have the opportunity to further develop leadership, service development, and educational skills, contributing to the ongoing development of the Parkinson’s Specialist Nursing Service and supporting the training and development of other healthcare professionals.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We offer excellent development opportunities and training directed towards your needs/goals.
Experience and an NMP qualification in the field of palliative care is desirable but a willingness to learn and contribute is more important.
You must have a driving license and have access to a vehicle in order to carry out your duties.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse with current NMc registration
2. Clear evidence of ongoing clinical and professional development
3. First degree relevent to clinical field or willing to work towards or able to demonstrate relevent equivalent experience
4. Nurse Prescribing Qualification or willingness to work towards
5. Evidence of advanced clinical assessment skills
6. Teaching/ mentoring qualification or able to demonstrate relevant experience
7. Evidence of working clinically with Parkinson’s patients
Desirable criteria
8. Evidence of significant post registration experience in Neurology nursing including experience at Band 6
Other
Essential criteria
9. Current driving licence
10. Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
Experience
Essential criteria
11. Evidence of working clinically with Parkinson’s patients
12. Extensive experience of complex assessment of health and social needs.
13. In depth knowledge and understanding of the current evidence based practice in the management of Parkinson’s disease
14. Ability to work professionally and safely in a variety of settings including patients home environments
15. Excellent written communication skills, to include record keeping, report writing, data collection, and evaluations
Desirable criteria
16. Evidence of significant post registration experience in Neurology nursing including experience at Band 6
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
17. Able to work both independently and as an effective, flexible team member
18. Excellent written communication skills, to include record keeping, report writing, data collection, and evaluations
19. Ability to assess, review and evaluate complex patient situations
20. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels using a variety of mediums
Desirable criteria
21. Experience in teaching both patients and staff, and developing/ facilitating appropriate learning sessions
22. Leadership and managerial skills
23. Experience in developing guidelines, audit, evaluation and report writing