Ms Community Nursenhs Afc: Band 6

East London Nhs Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Community Health Services is seeking a Band 6 MS Community Nurse to provide specialist nursing care for people living with multiple sclerosis across Bedfordshire. The role offers opportunity to develop MS expertise, with support from a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist.

You will work autonomously within a small team and collaborate with the wider MDT to ensure holistic care. Responsibilities include caseload management, symptom control, education for patients and carers, and

Qualifications

• Registered general nurse with current NMC registration.
• Significant post-registration nursing experience.
• Evidence-based practice and up-to-date clinical skills.
• Teaching or mentoring qualification and experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated MS caseload with supervision from Band 7 Specialist.
• Provide assessment, care planning, symptom management, and ongoing support across MS trajectory.
• Support patients receiving disease-modifying treatments.
• Offer specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and professionals.
• Coordinate holistic patient care with the multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in MS clinics, home visits, audit, research and service development.
• Contribute to education and development of patients, carers, students and staff.

Skills

Nurse leadership

MS knowledge

Caseload management

Education & training

Education

NMC registered general nurse

Post-registration qualification in MS or relevant field

Job description

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has become available to join the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Nursing Team within Bedfordshire Community Health Services.

We are looking to recruit a Band 6 MS Community Nurse to provide high-quality specialist nursing care and support to people living with multiple sclerosis across Bedfordshire.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced registered nurse with an interest in developing their specialist knowledge and skills in MS nursing. Previous specialist MS experience is desirable but not essential, as the successful candidate will be supported in post by the Band 7 MS Clinical Nurse Specialist.

The MS nursing service is a small specialist team, and the successful candidate will work closely with the Band 7 MS Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide a responsive, patient‑centred service across the MS disease trajectory.

The role will involve supporting patients with symptom management, disease‑modifying treatments, clinical assessment, care planning and coordination, education and self‑management. The post holder will also work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team and other health and social care professionals to ensure patients receive coordinated and holistic care.

The successful candidate will require excellent communication, organisation and clinical decision‑making skills, together with the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a small specialist team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of the MS Nursing Team to provide specialist nursing care and support to people living with multiple sclerosis across Bedfordshire.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing an allocated MS caseload, with support and supervision from the Band 7 MS Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Providing assessment, care planning, symptom management and ongoing support across the MS disease trajectory.
• Supporting patients receiving or being considered for disease‑modifying treatments.
• Providing specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and other professionals.
• Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to coordinate holistic patient care.
• Participating in MS clinics, home visits, audit, research and service development.
• Contributing to the education and development of patients, carers, students and healthcare professionals.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please for further information kindly refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• Registered general nurse
• Evidence of significant post-registration nursing experience
• Demonstrate evidence‑based practice and up‑to‑date clinical skills
• Relevant teaching/mentoring qualification and evidence of teaching skills
• Post‑registration qualification in relevant clinical field

Desirable criteria

• Experience of clinical leadership
• Non‑medical Nurse Prescriber

Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the principles of Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children
• Demonstrate an understanding of national government initiatives in MS and how they impact on local services
• Knowledge of multiple sclerosis, the condition and management of symptoms.
• Ability to manage caseload

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of and commitment of multi‑professional working
• Have a comprehensive understanding of partnership working
• Comprehensive understanding of the roles of others in health and social care
• Knowledge of the principles of health promotion and prevention strategies

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, using a variety of methods e.g. verbally, written and IT
• Evidence of good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead and work within a team

Desirable criteria

• Ability to disseminate complex information to others

Other

Essential criteria

• Able to adapt to change
• Able to demonstrate personal and professional integrity
• Leadership and motivational skills
• Self‑motivating/directing
• Ability to travel throughout Bedfordshire and access to a care for work purposes