Multiple Sclerosis Support Nurse

Based in the Department of Neurology at the Royal Preston Hospital, the role involves supporting patients and families locally and through outreach clinics held across district hospitals in Lancashire, ensuring all patients have access to specialist MS care.
We are looking for a nurse with good knowledge of neurological conditions, particularly MS, and experience of caring for people with long-term conditions. You should be able to manage your own caseload, work effectively both independently and within a small team, and demonstrate a caring, proactive and flexible approach. Non-medical prescribing qualification, or a commitment to work towards it, is essential. As the role involves travel across a wide geographical area, you must be a car driver with access to a vehicle.
You will receive high-quality training, ongoing professional development and a comprehensive induction. We offer a supportive team environment with opportunities to develop your skills and contribute to the continued growth of the MS service.

Main duties of the job
You will manage their own caseload and clinics, monitoring patients receiving disease modifying treatments, providing a systematic and holistic approach to the management of people with MS.
You will provide education and support around diagnosis and treatments. You will work 22.5 hours per week covering Monday to Friday between 8am-5pm., The MS service covers the whole of Lancashire, based at Royal Preston Hospital covering clinics outreach clinics in each local area. The team currently has 2 x Lead MS Specialist Nurses, 2 x MS Nurses, 1 x Disease Modifying Treatment Coordinator and 2 x Clerical Officers.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You'll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you'd never have done. You'll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You'll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care and enhancing their experience which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To support the MS Specialist Nurse in ensuring the provision of excellent care with compassion for patients and relatives who are cared for within the team.
In order to provide excellent care with compassion the MS Support Nurse will ensure that:
· All patients involved in decisions about their care and have agreed their plan of care.
· All patients provided with information and opportunities to learn about their condition.
· All patients feel they have been treated with dignity and respect.
· Appropriate members of the wider multidisciplinary team are engaged in the planning and provision of care and treatment for patients as required.
· All patients are happy with the care and compassion received and have had frequent opportunities to discuss their care with the MS Nurse responsible for their care.
· Supports the implementation and monitoring of adherence to relevant clinical guidelines.
· The documentation of patient care is contemporaneous, occurs during the consultation with the patient and meets professional and trust standards, clearly indicates the care required and provided and the outcome of care.
To assist and support the MS Specialist Nurse in ensuring a high standard of care is delivered, based on assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care to meet patients' needs.
In order to assist and support the MS Specialist Nurse in ensuring a high standard of care is delivered the Multiple Sclerosis Support Nurse will:
· Plans care in partnership with the people with MS in their caseload, facilitating their choice and involvement in decision making.
· Provide training, support and monitoring patients as required within their caseload, who are receiving disease modifying treatments.
· Promotes self-management for people with MS, providing education and support as required, to people with MS, patient groups and other professionals in the care of people with MS.
· Makes appropriate referrals to other health professionals as necessary.
Assist and support the MS Specialist Nurse in the safe and effective management of the MS Service
In order to assist and support in the safe and effective management of the MS Service the Multiple Sclerosis Support Nurse will:
· Maintain own nursing skills and competencies
· Maintain a current CPD portfolio in line with Trust policy and NMC registration
· Participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
· Achieve required standards for revalidation.
· Ensure own practice meets professional and Trust standards and provide high standards across the service.
· Communicate in a consistent, professional, approachable, helpful and timely manner.
· Comply fully with the Trust uniform policy
To assist and support the MS Specialist Nurse in the delivery and co-ordination of care through appropriate professional practice.
In order to assist and support the MS Specialist Nurse in the delivery and co-ordination of care through appropriate professional practice the Multiple Sclerosis Support Nurse will:
· Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
· Complies with all policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control.
· Ensure the environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
· Maintains excellent relationships with the MDT and liaises effectively to ensure seamless care.
· Delivers evidence based, individualised care through holistic needs assessment and evaluation of all care interventions.
· Plans and delivers work within their assigned caseload and effectively manages their own diary.
· Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters or difficult situations, in an appropriate, supportive and empathic manner.
· Participates in data collection and recruitment for research projects in line with research protocols. · Participates in quantitative and qualitative data collection of the MS Service.
Safeguards people and promotes equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals
· Safeguards children, young people and adults, escalating concerns in line with trust policy and regulatory frameworks.
· Acts in accordance with current legislation, policies, procedures and good practice relating to equality & diversity.
· Take action to address behaviour that undermines equality and diversity.
Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we're looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We'll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here
To support you in your application process we've created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits. To help you get the best from your application we've also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.
We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you're applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you've navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.
Working Smarter pledge
We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.
Secondments
If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [email protected]
Young People
Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they're 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
If the role you've applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is committed to delivering excellent, compassionate care. Our MS Service supports around 3,000 patients across Lancashire and is run by a small team of experienced MS Specialist Nurses working within a dedicated multi-disciplinary team. We are now offering an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our service.