Job Title: Motor Neuron Disease Coordinator
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Length: 24 months
Purpose for Fixed Term: Short term funding

Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join our team for a unique opportunity as a Band 7 allied health professional to work within the friendly, supportive Southampton MND Care Centre team. The post holder will work with the existing Band 8 Lead MND Care Centre AHP coordinator. The post holder will work in collaboration with a diverse range of acute, community and third sector colleagues, including neurology, respiratory, nutrition, community therapies, pallia, community nursing and palliative care, across the Wessex Region to support and develop expert MND Care. The successful candidate will hold a caseload specialising in MND, attend specialist MND clinics, participate in the community MND MDT meetings, contribute to the MND improvement and development plan, including audit of the NICE standard and offer informal and formal teaching opportunities relating to MND. The Southampton MND Care has a highly successful partnership model with the MND Association, who continue work to fund part of our well regarded service.

This is a unique opportunity to develop and expand your skills in a care coordination role, whilst making a real difference to the care of people living with MND. You will receive supervision and mentorship from both the Lead MND Coordinator and colleagues within the Wessex Neurology Service to develop your skills and expertise within this role.

About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Job responsibilities
In this role, your key responsibilities will include

• Hold a clinical caseload of MND patients, working with Lead MND Coordinator and the wider regional team to provide supportive care.
• Act as single point of contact for patients with MND and their families within the activities of the Care Centre.
• Undertake the established post diagnostic support visit to patients recently diagnosed with MND, offering post diagnostic advice, emotional support, clinical advice relating to NICE guidance and actioning referrals to the wider MDT for ongoing support.
• Attend and offer MND coordination support within the specialist regional MND clinic structure.
• Attend and participate in MND coordinator led MDTs across the region.
• Participate in the MND service objectives and clinical improvement plan, meeting the conditions of the MND Association grant, participating in management review meetings, participating in the regular NICE audit and taking responsibility for delivery for defined service objectives.
• Represent the MND Coordination Team at relevant meetings.
• Provide MND specific training to colleagues at UHS and the wider regional team, offer advice and support regarding MND care as required.
• Collaborate within the service to support the MND research pathway and Senior MND Research Nurse.

Person Specification
Essential

• Current Registration with HCPC.
• Degree or equivalent in relevant AHP profession.
• Masters level or evidence of equivalent post-graduate training in defined speciality.
• Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing training and development.
• Evidence of extensive knowledge and highly specialist expertise in relevant specialist area.
• Recent experience working as a clinical specialist in relevant clinical area.
• Evidence of ability to act as an expert within a multi-professional team setting.
• Experience of presentations and public speaking.
• Evidence of project planning and audit delivery.
• Demonstration of understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service delivery.
• Experience mentoring or supervising students, assistants or junior staff.
• Experience and involvement in student training.
• IT and keyboard skills e.g. Microsoft word.
• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act).
• Ability to have a flexible approach to working hours including extended working day as agreed with line manager.
• Ability to cover out of hours and weekend working occasionally.
• Full driving licence and use of vehicle for travel to regional clinics.
• Patient First, Working Together, Always Improving (Trust Values).

Desirable

• Clinical supervisory skills course.
• Member of relevant professional organisation and relevant specialist groups.
• Appraisal training.
• Evidence of management qualification/ development e.g. Foundation Management course.
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work.
• Evidence of generic skills required for service development i.e. report writing, policy development and implementation.
• Ability to undertake appraisals and KSF reviews for band 4, 5, and 6 staff.

Employer contact details
Contact: Clare Erridge, MND Care Centre Coordinator, clare.erridge@uhs.nhs.uk, 02381206544

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.