Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will facilitate the appropriate multidisciplinary team support for patients living with MND and their families from diagnosis to end of life.  They will work in collaboration with a range of acute, community and third sector colleagues, including neurology, respiratory, nutrition, community therapies, palliative care, community nursing and social care, across the Wessex Region to support and develop expert MND Care.  The successful candidate will hold a caseload of those living with MND, providing post diagnostic patient home visits, attend specialist MND clinics and participate in community MND MDT meetings. They will contribute to the MND improvement and development plan, including audit against 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 to fund part of our 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, in partnership with colleagues from a variety of disciplines across the region. You will receive supervision and mentorship from both the Lead MND Coordinator and your profession specific lead to develop your skills and expertise within this role.

WHAT YOU’LL DO
You will:

•    Hold a clinical caseload of MND patients, working with MND Coordinator colleagues and the wider regional team to provide supportive care.
•    Act as single point of contact for patients with MND and their families, in collaboration with coordinator colleagues.
•    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 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 the regular NICE audit and taking responsibility for delivery of service development objectives. 
•    Represent the MND Coordinating 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 with the MND team to support the MND research pathway.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for an HCPC registered Allied Health Professional with significant clinical experience in managing complex patients with complex disabling, neurological and or/life limiting condition. Experience of providing education and mentorship to colleagues is beneficial although training will be provided to further develop leadership skills if required. You must have excellent communication skills as well as an empathic nature and be able to utilise reflective practice skills to be able to deal with the demanding emotional nature of the role.  You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work within an MDT as a highly specialist AHP and have the confidence to present and discuss your professional opinion with colleagues. You should be able to demonstrate good organisational and caseload managements skills.  An understanding of service development would be helpful together with experience of working on service improvement projects or audit 

Our service operates Monday to Friday. The working days of the week for this role can be negotiated to some degree with the successful applicant.  Driving licence and access to a car for community visits is essential.