Epilepsy Support Worker

NHS; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an Epilepsy Support Worker at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. The role involves working closely with patients and the Epilepsy Team to provide essential support, foster improvements in health outcomes, and participate actively in enhancing services for individuals with epilepsy. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and strong communication skills, as well as the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.

Qualifications

• Experience in an NHS role desired.
• Competence in communicating effectively with diverse populations.
• Understanding of patient confidentiality and self-management education.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual support to epilepsy patients under the guidance of nurses.
• Help implement and monitor treatment plans.
• Assist in running patient wellbeing groups and access self-management courses.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Motivation

Education

GCSE in English, Maths or equivalent

Foundation Degree in Health Studies

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Epilepsy Support Worker

The closing date is 06 July 2025

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.

About us

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.

Job 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 patients 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 its 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

• GCSE in English, Maths or equivalent e.g. NVQ III
• Foundation Degree in Health Studies

Experience

• Previous experience with dealing with members of the public or voluntary group activities
• Previous experience in an NHS / Primary care / Local Authority / Voluntary role
• Previous experience of working under own direction
• Previous experience in working with people with long term conditions
• Evidence of supporting service improvement

Technical skills

• 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.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge

• 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

• 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).

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust