Are you a compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) looking for an exciting new challenge? We are seeking either an experienced professional or those eager to learn and grow in their careers to join our team as a Children's Epilepsy Nurse Specialist. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative epilepsy specialist service in Somerset, supporting children, young people, and their families across both urban and rural areas, from the Quantock Hills to Exmoor.

As a Children's Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, you will work closely with a diverse range of children and young people, including those with special educational needs, alongside their families and carers. You'll provide expert support and guidance not only in clinical settings but also within schools and community environments. Your role will involve building strong relationships with parents, educators, and other professionals to create a supportive network that enhances the quality of life for children with epilepsy and complex needs.

Working Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with the flexibility of remote work, you'll be a vital part of our multidisciplinary team. Whether you're a seasoned nurse or a newcomer ready to develop your skills, you'll find a supportive environment dedicated to your professional growth. We will support any educational requirements to make you a future expert in this field including the nurse prescribing course.

An increase in hours is possible subject to budgetary review.

Main duties of the job

As a Children's Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, you will help develop our specialist service, managing a caseload and making autonomous decisions on care and treatment. With support you will run nurse-led clinics, create individualised care plans, and provide expert advice to help children, young people and their carers become confident in the care of their diagnosis.

We work very closely with our paediatricians locally as well as tertiary centres. Additionally, you are expected to forge relationships with various community service in healthcare and beyond, to ensure comprehensive, patient-centred care. You will also link with the ward, visit new patients both on the ward and at home. A significant part of the job is working with education to help ensure children are fully integrated into school life.

Your role will include developing and delivering training for healthcare professionals and families and contributing to service development and audits. You will also be jointly responsible for manning the phone help line, providing responsive support to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, you will handle telephone consultations, home visits, and school support, ensuring high standards of care and effective treatment planning which may require medication changes.

We also support children who have VNS devices or are on ketogenic diets.

As part of the wider community nursing team, we support and supported by them in children with complex medical conditions.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts. As a community worker you have access to a car salary sacrifice.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London. This post is based out of East Reach House in central Taunton, only a short walk away from a bustling town centre. Free local parking is available for staff. Taunton is just off the M5 allowing quick access to Bristol, Cornwall and London. Fast rail services are also available.

The community nursing team is a small, friendly team, who promote team working. We also have access to psychological support as well as Trust wellbeing services and high-quality training options. Staff routinely attend conferences around the country as part of their development.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RSCN/RN(child), RGN accepted with appropriate experience.
• Experience of epilepsy in community or ward setting.
• Independent Prescribing qualification or willingness to take.

Desirable

• Teaching/mentorship qualification, and/or speciality courses relevant to the work
• Experience of complex needs children
• Community qualifications.
• PET 1,2 or 3 or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Experience of paediatric care and epilepsy

Desirable

• In-depth knowledge in epilepsy and its comorbidities
• Experience of working in the community and/or care of complex needs children.
• Experience of clinic work and organisation
• Caseload management and lone working experience

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
• Experience of multi-professional communication. Able to handle a variety of challenging situations.
• Ability to teach groups of people and deliver presentations.
• Ability to autonomously plan and execute care.
• To autonomously amend treatment plans in line with efficacy of treatment and diagnosis.
• Current driving licence and access to vehicle.
• May need to assist in patient handling.
• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients.

Desirable

• Courses in lone working.
• Experience of Continuing Health Care.

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Children Looked After, East Re

Level 2 East Reach House

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 3EN

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-OL-GR-850