Job summary
Parkinson's Disease Specialist Nurse

Department Medicine

Band 7 £49,387 - £56,515 per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The post holder will be a registered nurse with a qualification and experience in the field of Parkinsons Disease and who is motivated and willing to adhere to the values of the service and Trust. This post would also suit a specialist nurse in another disciplinary working at a band 7 level wishing to move speciality and willing to undertake appropriate training.

The medicine division is a friendly dedicated team, who are committed to improving services for our patients. There is a strong emphasis on team support and development, with opportunities to expand your clinical knowledge, skills and managerial/leadership experience.

If you are an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate practitioner with a history of professional leadership in nursing, we invite you to apply.

If you are interested in applying and would like to discuss the role or organise an informal visit please contact Karen Webb, Neurology Matron on 01908 660033 Ext 86424 or via email (karen.webb@mkuh.nhs.uk ).

Interview 13 November 2026

Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

The Parkinson's Disease Specialist Nurse (PDSN) will provide expert clinical leadership and specialist nursing care for patients living with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders across Milton Keynes University Hospital.

The post holder will act as an autonomous practitioner, providing specialist assessment, treatment planning, education, support and care coordination for patients and their families throughout the disease pathway. The role will support improvements in patient outcomes, medication management, admission avoidance, safe discharge planning and the delivery of evidence-based care in accordance with NICE guidance and Parkinson's UK standards.

About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities
Leadership / Management

• Manage an autonomous caseload across inpatient, outpatient and community settings.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary care plans for patients with complex needs.

Patient Care

• Undertake comprehensive specialist assessments of patients with complex Parkinson's disease presentations.
• Analyse clinical information to identify deterioration, complications and unmet care needs.

Communication and Relationships

• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients, carers and families throughout the disease pathway.
• Deliver highly complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and disease progression.

Audit / Research

• Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Financial Responsibilities

• Use Trust resources responsibly and efficiently.
• Participate in service improvement initiatives which contribute to effective resource utilisation

Information Resources

• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive patient records.
• Utilise electronic patient record systems effectively.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with active NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post-registration study relevant to neurology, long-term conditions or specialist practice
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of Parkinson's disease, movement disorders and associated neurological conditions
• Knowledge of NICE guidance, Parkinson's UK standards and current best practice
• Understanding of safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act and consent principles

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification (V300) or willingness to work towards
• Advanced clinical assessment qualification or equivalent experience

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration experience within neurology, medicine, elderly care or long-term conditions
• Experience of managing a complex patient caseload autonomously
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working across organisational boundaries
• Experience of providing patient and carer education
• Experience of service development, audit and quality improvement activities
• Experience of delivering education and training programmes
• Experience of leadership, supervision or mentorship of staff/students

Desirable

• Experience working within a Parkinson's Specialist Nurse service DAI

Skills
Essential

• Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Ability to coordinate care across acute, community and primary care settings
• Ability to assess and manage complex physical, psychological and social needs
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical evidence and national guidance
• Competent IT skills including electronic patient records and Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands effectively

Personal and people development
Essential

• Commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning
• Ability to support, coach and develop colleagues
• Demonstrates leadership and acts as a positive role model
• Commitment to quality improvement and innovation

Communication
Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information compassionately.
• Ability to facilitate difficult conversations with patients, families and carers.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with multidisciplinary teams and external organisations.
• Skilled in presentation, teaching and educational delivery.

Specific requirements
Essential

• Ability to travel across the locality as required by the role.
• Flexible approach to service needs.
• Demonstrates Trust values: We Care, We Communicate, We Collaborate and We Contribute,

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).