Parkinsons Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisin for a Nurse Specialist to Join the Parkinsons servce at University Hospitals Coventry.

The Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) will be involved in a range of clinical responsibilities, positively contributing towards the experience of the patient with Parkinson’s disease. Following training, the specialist nurse will work as part of the clinical team managing the Parkinson’s disease patient.

Secondment will be considered for internal candidates – If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake highly specialised practical skills to ensure optimum patient management.
• To participate in drug therapy challenges within the day case unit.
• To conduct home visits, management of medication with the aim of maximising care in the community and reducing hospital admissions.
• To effectively manage and participate in the nurse led clinics, supported by the consultant.
• To provide support and advice to staff, patients and their carers in relation to Parkinson’s disease, including training and the development of information.
• To liaise with appropriate departmental staff and discharge team to optimise smooth transition of patients from pre-admission to discharge home.
• To involve patient/user views in the development and evaluation of the Parkinson’s disease practitioner role
• To advise patients regarding drug therapy and where appropriate manage medication changes, or initiate new medication, via either Supplementary or Independent Non-Medical Prescriber qualification within locally agreed guidelines and NMC regulatory requirement.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Services business.
• All staff must be familiar with section 2 of the Health and Safety Policy. This document sets out the responsibilities of all staff for health and safety, whether in a supervisory capacity or not. Policy section 3 (Arrangements for Health and Safety) provides an overview of training for competence in health and safety matters.
• All staff need basic working knowledge of risk management to enable them to participate in the identification of and control of all business risks that they encounter in their area of work.
• The Trust has a clear commitment to equal opportunities, and it is the duty of every employee to comply with the detail and the spirit of the policy.
• The Trust is responsible for ensuring that the service provided for patients in its care meets the highest standards. Equally, the Trust is responsible for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position for personal gain or to benefit their family or friends. The Trust’s standing orders require any officer to declare any interest, direct or indirect with any contract involving the Trust. Staff are not allowed to further their private interests in the course of their NHS duties.
• The Working Time Regulations 1998 require that you should not work more than an average of 48 hours in each week. For example, in a 26-week period you should work no more than 1248 hours. To work more than this you must have the authorisation of your manager and you must sign an opt out agreement stating that you choose to work extra hours. Does this still apply?

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.