The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Specialist Nurse plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis across the disease pathway. Working as an autonomous practitioner within the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will provide expert clinical assessment, advice, support and care coordination for patients and their families, ensuring seamless care across acute, community and primary care settings.
The post holder will act as a specialist resource for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, supporting the safe and effective management of disease-modifying therapies, symptom management, relapse assessment and ongoing monitoring of complex clinical needs. They will work closely with Consultant Neurologists, allied health professionals, primary care teams and community services to ensure patients receive timely interventions and equitable access to specialist care.
The role requires excellent communication, clinical decision-making and leadership skills, with responsibility for managing a specialist caseload, supporting service development, contributing to audit and research activity, and promoting best practice in Multiple Sclerosis care.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Manage a specialist caseload of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, providing expert clinical assessment, treatment monitoring and ongoing support.
Deliver specialist nursing interventions and coordinate care throughout the patient journey, ensuring continuity across organisational boundaries.
Provide advice, education and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals regarding the management of Multiple Sclerosis.
Monitor and support patients receiving disease-modifying therapies and other specialist treatments, ensuring adherence to agreed protocols and treatment plans.
Operate specialist nurse advice services and telephone helplines, responding to patient and professional enquiries in a timely manner.
Undertake independent patient reviews and contribute to Consultant-led and nurse-led clinics.
Act as a patient advocate, supporting informed decision-making and personalised care planning.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, community services and primary care colleagues to optimise patient outcomes.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit, research and education initiatives.
Support the delivery of specialist education and training programmes for healthcare professionals across the Trust and wider healthcare community.
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you into contact with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
To assist the senior medical and nursing team in managing people with multiple sclerosis within agreed protocols and treatment plans
To support a dynamic caseload and monitor response to medication plans including disease modifying therapies
Monitor telephone helplines providing knowledge and advice to people with multiple sclerosis and other healthcare professionals
To support Consultant and Senior MS Nurse led follow up clinics for patients with complex needs
To prioritise workload and manage referrals effectively
Review patients independently and initiate changes in management of care including discharge arrangements
Support protocols on care management for people with multiple sclerosis
To provide advice and support to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals
To assess patients in the clinical area, in relevance to medication profile, MS outcomes and treatment plans
Assess new patients in the clinical area identifying their psychological, physiological, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs in relation to their condition, proposed treatment and providing a pathway of nursing care for the patient.
For further information please see attached job description
