South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Epilepsy Specialist Nurse
The closing date is 18 November 2026
Job summary
Part Time-15 hours per week

We are looking to recruit an experienced nurse to develop as a Band 6 trainee Epilepsy Specialist Nurse within the Neurology Specialist Nursing service at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT).

We are seeking a knowledgeable individual with highly developed interpersonal and excellent communication skills who has a passion for delivering excellence in care and who is committed to driving improvements and developments across both Epilepsy and the wider Neurology service.

Applicants will need to demonstrate an interest in and sound clinical knowledge of neurology disorders, an understanding of the specialist care and management required by patients across the Epilepsy pathway. Whilst the specialist nurse role is predominately outpatient based, some inpatient and in-reach work will be required to support patients, carers and staff with specialist advice, education and training in managing epilepsy and its associated complications.

There will be an expectation that the role will progress to a band 7 once competencies are achieved within a maximum of a 12 month period.

Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the post holder will include:
Clinical

• Act as a key worker and ensure provision of expert specialist advice and knowledge to patients, carers and staff regarding epilepsy
• Accountable for the planning and delivery of all aspects of patient care in relation to the specialist area of practice
• Participate in a range of epilepsy care for adults and children and young people
• Pro-actively manage own workload and clinical caseload of patients, making decisions regarding care, treatment and support required
• In conjunction with the Lead Epilepsy consultant and directorate senior management team, co-ordinate the delivery of the epilepsy patient pathway service using effective evidence-based practice in line with agreed national standards for patient safety and monitoring
• Manage/lead specialist nurse led clinics - optimising complex treatment regimes, facilitating hospital discharge and preventing avoidable hospital admissions

Managerial

• Attend a range of meetings relevant to epilepsy care and where required represent STSFT as an organisation
• Participate in service meetings, neurology clinical governance and directorate level discussions
• Contribute to MDT meetings ensuring patients are appropriately reviewed and treatment options discussed

Audit / Research / Governance

• Participate in audit, research and governance activity relevant to the Epilepsy and wider Neurology service
• Continuously improve clinical care standards in line with the STSFT clinical governance framework

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: C9155-MDNM-1126-19

Job locations
Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kyall Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
South Tyneside District Hospital, Hylton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for full details

A specialist nurse is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary role is to provide care, guidance and support which is based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.

The specialist nurse will:

• Continue to develop advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
• Contribute to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
• Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field through the use of evidence based practice and in line with agreed national standards, and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
• Work as an autonomous practitioner within their sphere of practice.
• Continuously improve clinical standards in line with clinical governance framework.
• Exercise accountability as set out in the NMC Code.
• Contribute to training and education within specialist area.
• Provide expert specialist clinical advice and support to patients and clinical staff within the Trust on the management and care of patients within the specialist area.
• Provide direct access for patients, either face to face or telephone consultation.
• Represent the service nationwide.
• Play a key role in ensuring that national and local standards/targets for the specialist area are met.
• Manage/lead nurse led clinics in relation to reviewing patients and play a key role in optimising complex treatment regimes, facilitating hospital discharge and preventing avoidable hospital admissions.
• Undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist practice.
• Comply with the Trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Current 1st level NMC registration
• Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree (UK equivalent)
• Postgraduate level study, or equivalent specialist study/experience
• Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Clinical skills accreditation or willingness to complete
• Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete

Desirable

• Leadership and Management Course
• Basic knowledge of financial management

Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
• Carrying teaching equipment such as laptop, stationary, etc.
• Manual dexterity and up to date working knowledge of equipment, e.g. syringe drivers, infusion pumps, etc.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice
• Experience of care delivery
• Experience of leading a team
• Evidence of leading innovation in practice
• Evidence of leading change management
• Evidence of practice development
• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients

Desirable

• Budget Management
• Participation in recruitment and selection process
• Project management
• Experience in conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence
• Experience in implementing quality frameworks

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Specialist knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice
• Good/intermediate IT skills
• Effective presentation/report writing skills
• Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Knowledge of how to facilitate learning
• Leadership skills
• Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues
• Knowledge of research and clinical audit
• Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics
• Venepuncture, cannulation and IV drug administration
• Proven interpersonal skills
• Practice assessor / practice assessor skills
• Counselling and appraisal skills
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post
• Time management
• Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care

Desirable

• Qualification in specialty
• Resource management skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kyall Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Directorate Manager Joanna Finney, joanna.finney2@nhs.net, 01915656256