Are you an enthusiastic and experienced nurse specialising in Multiple Sclerosis?
University Hospital Sussex NHS Trust is looking for a dynamic, motivated Band 7 MS Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our well-established, friendly Neurology team. We are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care, and we need a passionate nurse to help us make a significant difference in the lives of people living with MS.
Internal applicants should note that this opportunity will be offered on a secondment basis. Before applying, internal colleagues must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they can be released from their substantive role if successful.
Release to undertake a secondment is not automatic and must be agreed between the colleague, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager.
The Role:
Manage an autonomous caseload of MS patients, providing support from diagnosis through to ongoing treatment.
Run nurse-led clinics managing relapses, spasticity and other MS symptoms.
Provide advice on Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) and monitor patient outcomes.
Work as a professional link between patients, neurologists, and multidisciplinary teams (MDT).
Evidence of advanced continuing professional development (CPD).
Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) qualification desirable .
Excellent communication skills and passion for patient advocacy.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
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
The post holder will be an expert field of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) working across divisional and organisational boundaries and who holds a highly specialised knowledge and understanding the needs of people living with MS (PwMS) from diagnosis to end of life.
They will develop, implement and evaluate a seamless specialist service ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of clinical care and that specialist advice, education and support to health professionals and patients is provided. The post holder will drive service development, audits and research within the MS service. They will have highly developed clinical expertise and acumen enabling them to plan, deliver and co-ordinate complex care in routine and non-routine circumstances to ensure that the needs of the person with MS are best served.
The post-holder will design and deliver education and self-management courses to people with MS and patient groups and the specialist education and training to other professionals involved in the care of PwMS. They will supervise clinical practice of Band 6 MSSNs and other health professionals delivering care for PwMS and take responsibility for embedding patient and public involvement, within their sphere of competence
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Procedural Skills & Responsibility for Patient Care
To provide specialist nursing advice and support to patients, their families and other healthcare professionals following diagnosis and through treatment through a range of nurse-led outpatient clinics including annual reviews, spasticity and relapse follow up and telephone clinics.
To provide specialist nursing advice and support to patients, their families and other healthcare professionals following unplanned hospital admissions to hospital, t o co-ordinate care, liaising with the full range of multi-disciplinary team members to ensure implementation of appropriate care plans, treatment delivery, and safe and effective discharge.
To follow-up patients as appropriate and ensure all relevant information is available to enable patients to make an informed choice about their treatment.
To manage nurse led clinic and independently ,conduct neurological examinations and objective measures of function such as assessments of cognition, fatigue, upper limb function or walking .
Assess patients with acutely deteriorating symptoms and diagnoses relapse in routine and non-routine circumstances using high level assessment and consultation skills and ensure timely and appropriate treatment is offered.
Competently reviews and interprets data generated through these assessments and revises the care plan in conjunction with the person with MS accordingly.
To develop, deliver and evaluate a plan of care relating to symptom management which will include assessment, planning, implementing, reviewing and documenting care plans in agreement with the person with MS. This will include but not exhaustive of ordering diagnostic tests and making and receiving referrals.
To support PwMS with decisions regarding disease modifying therapies (DMT’s).
To ensure all patients are fully informed of the risks and benefits of proposed treatments, contributing to the process of securing informed consent.
To produce and provide all patients with relevant and accessible written information regarding their treatment in accordance with Trust standards.
To comply with measures to actively manage and reduce risk to patients.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
