Specialist Nurse - Adult Epilepsy

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Nurse - Adult Epilepsy

The closing date is 12 August 2026

Job summary
1 x 30 hour post

We have a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for the next step in their career!

We have an opportunity for a Specialist Nurse to work as part of the Barnsley Adult Epilepsy Nursing Service providing assessment, and medical management for patients, advice and education to patients, families, carers and professionals in relation to the diagnosis and management of epilepsy.

This post is suitable for a registered nurse who has proven clinical experience, ideally working previously within neurology, and has experience of working with people with epilepsy. They must have a keen interest in developing their knowledge, skills and practice in this specialty.

You will need to demonstrate a robust understanding of issues related to adults with a lifelong health condition and work autonomously assessing patients holistically, supporting a complex caseload of patients accessing the care pathway.

You will also be delivering education and training for patients, carers, healthcare professionals and other professional groups.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Main duties of the job
As Specialist Nurse you will:

• Work autonomously assessing and managing a defined clinical caseload in clinics, home visits and telephone/virtual appointments
• Provide medical management for patients and specialist support, education and complex case management to adults with epilepsy and their families and carers
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the service, acting as a source of nursing expertise in this area
• Have high level communication/interpersonal skills to negotiate and establish collaborative partnerships with patients and care professionals
• Have responsibility for performance and clinical activity in relation to patient safety and patient experience
• Ensure compliance with clinical governance frameworks ensuring performance systems are in place and Infection Control policy/procedures are followed
• Have a key role in training, education and staff development, participate in regular supervision and appraisals contributing to a culture of learning/reflective practice.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY

• The post-holder will work as a key member of the team and support the Epilepsy Clinical Team Leader in the delivery of the Barnsleys Adult Epilepsy Nursing Service.
• They will manage a defined clinical caseload, providing specialist support, education, and complex case management to adults with epilepsy and their families and carers.
• They will work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team with colleagues from community services, inpatient services, primary health care, social care, voluntary care sector, educational/employment settings and elsewhere.
• They will liaise with medical colleagues in primary, secondary and tertiary level care to develop and maintain high quality evidence-based epilepsy care across Barnsley.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

• Work autonomously assessing and managing a defined clinical caseload (in clinics, home visits, and telephone/virtual appointments), supporting patients with a range of epilepsy presentations, whilst also providing support to their families/carers.
• Use and apply specialised skills underpinned by advanced theoretical knowledge of professional practice to maintain professional competence and fitness to practice.
• Work as an expert practitioner, demonstrating evidence-based knowledge and specialised assessment techniques to triage, assess and manage a range of complex presentations, whilst also considering physical, psychological, and social care needs.
• Contribute to the management of referrals into the service from medical, nursing staff, healthcare professionals and other sources, ensuring patients are seen within the required timescales based upon clinical need.
• Formulate and implement treatment plans based on current evidence and expert clinical reasoning demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of treatments including the integration of the principles of self-management, enabling individuals to function independently.
• To be able Identify and understand medications changes for optimum management and be able to liaise with appropriate professions including consultants and GPs for when changes are requires to medication treatment plans.
• Empower patients and their families/carers to understand their condition better, resulting in improved self-management and a reduction in hospital admissions.
• Enable people to receive an early and accurate diagnosis and receive the relevant information and support to self-manage their epilepsy wherever possible.
• Support the transition of young people from paediatric to adult care, this may include attendance at transition clinics and liaising with the paediatric consultant and nursing team.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings, contributing as a key professional to decisions regarding patient care.
• Provide and review individualised care management plans to be used in the community.
• Work alongside Primary Care GPs and Practice Nurses in managing patients within the respective Primary Care Network.
• Work in collaboration with medical & nursing colleagues within secondary care to help facilitate the discharge of patients following an emergency admission and to support the provision of seamless care.
• Play an active role to initiate, plan and implement training and education of team members, the broader community nursing teams, and students.
• Ensure appropriate supervision and caseload support of junior members of the team where applicable.
• Understand the requirements and implications for service delivery of National Standards; for example, the NICE guidelines for diagnosis and management of epilepsy.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of specialised education programmes to other professionals to enable best practice in the care and treatment of people with epilepsy.
• Adhere to and as appropriate contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures and standards relating to the service, using an evidence-based approach.
• Work within and as appropriate contribute to the clinical governance framework to maintain consistently high standards of care, working from an evidence base or current best practice.
• Undertake Nurse Prescribing in response to assessed need within the service and in accordance with trust policy.
• Ensure complete, accurate and up to date records are maintained in accordance with NMC guidelines and trust policy. Record all patient contacts and activities, and input data into appropriate IT system in a timely manner in accordance with Trust protocols.
• Adhere to the NMC scope of professional practice and trust policies and procedures; ensuring professional competency and development by updating skills and knowledge; attending all mandatory training.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification
Special Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Up-to-date knowledge of epilepsy nursing care, including medical treatments, the management of prolonged seizures, and the risks and lifestyle implications of the condition.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Referral management and triage skills.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and prioritise and manage own caseload.
• Sound understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, including experience of quality issues and audit.
• Ability to apply principles to workplace.
• Ability to effectively network and form professional relationships with other healthcare/multi-agency professionals.
• Good presentation skills.
• Sound IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, SystmOne Powerpoint, Outlook and accessing the internet.

Training
Essential

• Evidence of continued professional development.

Physical Attributes
Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post registration nursing experience.
• Recent experience of caring for adults with epilepsy.
• Substantial experience of working as part of a nursing team and/or multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team.

Desirable

• Recent experience of working in a community/outpatient setting.

Qualifications
Essential

• First level Nurse.
• Diploma/Degree in epilepsy care or agree the expectation to commence within the 1st year of employment.
• Completion of Adult Epilespy 1 Specialist Nurse (ESNA) competency framework up to Competent level at AfC level 6 or the expectation to commence within the 1st year of employment.

Desirable

• Teaching qualification.
• Independent Nurse Prescriber.

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Flexibility to meet the needs of the service.
• Reliable, motivated and enthusiastic.
• Ability to communicate on all levels.
• Able to be mobile on a daily basis to meet the requirements of the post.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Caroline Marsden
caroline.marsden@swyt.nhs.uk
07917277286