Learning Disability Epilepsy Nurse Specialist

Job overview

A post has been created within the Bexley Community Learning Disability Team for a B6 Epilepsy Specialist Nurse to work alongside the Senior Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, to improve the quality of life and care provided to individuals with a learning disability living with epilepsy.

You will support the further development of the service, which aims to close the gap between the specialist epilepsy services provided in secondary care and those in the community.

You will join a multidisciplinary team consisting of other specialist health professionals including Psychiatry; Psychology; Occupational Therapy; Speech and Language Therapy; Physiotherapy and Behavioural Support.

You will provide more intensive epilepsy support to patients when compared with a conventional ESN’s work and close involvement in assessing risk. You will also receive support and guidance from the Bromley LDES team who will be based in the same office suite. Whilst at base you will be sat directly amongst your colleagues and be able to access peer and multidisciplinary support easily.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not have worked specifically within an epilepsy service, although knowledge and experience of this physical health need is preferrable. Training is an integral part of the role to develop your career as an Epilepsy Specialist Nurse.

Main duties of the job

• Direct involvement in the clinical management of epilepsy in partnership with the Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities with a Special Interest in Epilepsy
• Providing specialist assessment and intervention in the management of epilepsy and risk in close partnership with service users, their families, carers and other community health and social care providers.
• Providing advice, support and training to the wider learning disability nursing team in Bexley, as well as other community based health and social care services.
• Establishing links with the local Neurology Departments to encourage partnership working, and other Epilepsy Specialist Nurse networks across South-East region.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Under the guidance and supervision of the consultant and epilepsy specialist nurse, manage a highly complex clinical caseload ensuring high standards of care that is flexible to the needs of the service user.
• Responsibility to manage epilepsy confidently and safely under the support and supervision of the consultant and senior epilepsy nurse.
• When appropriate, provide direct nursing support and / or facilitate access to generic health services in accordance with individual needs.
• In collaboration with the Senior Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, contribute to the development and implementation of Policies, Procedures and Clinical Guidelines in the community setting particularly in areas associated with epilepsy.
• To be responsible for delivering specialist epilepsy assessment, (including screening, risk assessment and management planning).
• Participate and when appropriate, run nurse led clinics for people with learning disabilities and epilepsy.
• Participate in consultant led clinics for people with learning disabilities and epilepsy.
• Develop formal links and working relationships with local Adult Neurology, Paediatric and Acute Service in Bexley.
• Support to develop and maintain links and working relationships with local and national voluntary epilepsy groups / organisations, to ensure access to relevant information and support for service users and their carers.
• Work jointly with other professionals within the Learning Disability Partnership and ensure prompt and appropriate delivery of services.
• To support the epilepsy specialist nurse in the delivery of epilepsy awareness training and emergency medication administration training to service providers, carers and staff.
• Be computer literate and to be able to use the trusts record keeping system and use documents such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams etc.