Community Learning Disability Nurse

NHS; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS Somerset Community Team seeks a motivated Learning Disability Nurse for a one-year fixed-term role, supporting people with learning disabilities. With a focus on personalized care, you will manage a caseload, conduct assessments, and work within a diverse, multidisciplinary team to promote health and independence.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Registered Learning Disability Nurse with experience in community settings.
• Degree/diploma in epilepsy management is desirable.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined caseload and deliver high-quality nursing assessments.
• Develop and implement care plans tailored to individual health needs.
• Collaborate with healthcare services to create integrated care pathways.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organizational Skills

Crisis Management

Assessment Skills

Education

Registered Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD/MHLD)

Degree/diploma/ENB in epilepsy management

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Learning Disability Nurse to work within the Somerset Community Team for Adults with Learning Disabilities. This is a fixed term contract for a duration of one year to cover maternity leave. We welcome applications from motivated experienced Band 5 learning disability nurses seeking career progression into a band 6 role, as well as those looking to gain valuable experience in a community setting. You will be joining an innovative team of nurses providing high quality health interventions as part of the wider forward thinking, diverse multi - disciplinary team, working collaboratively with wider agencies to deliver personalised care.

As an individual we will expect you to possess excellent communication skills, enjoy working as part of a team, working closely with colleagues from a range of disciplines, whilst also being able to work independently. You will be expected to carry out comprehensive assessments; plan, implement and evaluate delivery of nursing interventions. You will be responsible for managing a caseload across Somerset, however, predominately within the West area. A key responsibility is promoting health and independence for people with learning disabilities by delivering high quality nursing assessments and interventions enabling people with Learning Disability to access health care services with reasonable adjustments.

Main duties of the job

• Manage a defined caseload, delivering high-quality nursing assessments and interventions.
• Develop and implement specialist support and care plans tailored to individual health needs.
• Provide specialist advice and training to colleagues across health and social care services.
• Support service users with a range of needs, including ASD, epilepsy, mental health, and challenging behaviours.
• Collaborate with primary and secondary healthcare services to create integrated care pathways.
• Participate in clinical supervision, service audits, and ongoing service development.
• Contribute to teaching and supervising student nurses and support junior staff.
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records using the Trust's electronic patient record systems.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

As a vital member of the multidisciplinary team, your responsibilities will include:

• Offering specialist clinical input across a range of health conditions affecting people with learning disabilities.
• Ensuring the effective planning, execution, and evaluation of nursing care in line with current policy and evidence-based practice.
• Participating in service innovation and development, including involvement in clinical trials or pilot initiatives.
• Upholding and contributing to Trust standards, policies, and best practice frameworks including safeguarding, risk management, and infection prevention.
• Advocating for and empowering service users to access appropriate health services.
• Working flexibly in the community settings, including travel to homes and care establishments across Somerset.
• Promoting inclusion, equality, and respect for individuals with learning disabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD/MHLD)
• Degree/diploma/ENB in epilepsy management

Experience

• Previous experience as a Learning Disability Nurse
• Experience of working with people in a community based setting.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Experience in fields of Epilepsy, Autism, Mental Health, Challenging Behaviour, Valuing People, Person Centred Planning

Additional Criteria

• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.

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.