Job summary
- Main area
- Neurology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 153-ME04711
- Employer
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Poole Hospital
- Town
- Bournemouth
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Epilepsy Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 4
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated and compassionate individual to join our dedicated Epilepsy Team at Poole Hospital. This is a unique chance to make a difference in the lives of people living with epilepsy by providing high-quality support, helping them achieve their full potential, and working within a patient-focused environment.
If you are looking to contribute to a team that is committed to improving the health and well-being of our patients, this is the role for you!
Main duties of the job
The post involves you working alongside the Epilepsy Specialist Nurses based at Poole Hospital but providing a Dorset wide service. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to work with people with epilepsy and associated disabilities in an inclusive and positive way.
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To work without direct supervision with individual patients as delegated by the qualified Nurse to ensure that treatment plans have been implemented and to monitor the impact of medication changes including looking at seizure recording. To also help implement lifestyle changes which may impact on seizure control.
2. To work using a holistic approach to identify patient’s goals for care and agree a personalised care and support plan.
3. Emailing – as appropriate - referrals to other teams and agencies e.g. Steps to wellbeing, social services, Community Learning Disability Team and Homestart.
4. Monitoring patient attendance at appointments and following up vulnerable patients who do not attend as appropriate. Work closely with the frequent attender team based in the emergency department and the ambulance service.
5. Following up patients who present to the emergency department with seizures and ensuring that a pathway is in place for future nurse or consultant appointments as appropriate and signposting to advice for patients waiting to be seen.
6. Reviewing and typing updated protocols, policies, patient information leaflets and other documents as required.
7. Setting up a webpage for the service and monitoring it’s use and update as required.
8. Assist in running patient wellbeing groups, and training as required under the direction of the Qualified Nurse.
9. Help patients to access self-management education courses, peer support or other interventions that support them in managing their long term condition and improving their health and wellbeing.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE in English, Maths or equivalent e.g. NVQ III
Desirable criteria
- A Level education
- Foundation Degree in Health Studies
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience with dealing with members of the public or voluntary group activities
- Previous experience in an NHS / Primary care / Local Authority / Voluntary role
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working under own direction
- Previous experience in working with people with long term conditions
- Evidence of supporting service improvement
Technical skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
- Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the profession(s) in the healthcare setting
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Evidence of working with IT systems
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
- To work unsupervised and understand own clinical limitations and seek support when appropriate.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good communication and interpersonal skills with patients, colleagues and carers
- Ability to motivate and negotiate
- Understanding of patient confidentiality
- To hold a driving licence and able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business (Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Michelle Knight
- Job title
- Lead Epilepsy Nurse Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 019 2231
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