Job Description

Are you passionate about improving the lives of people living with epilepsy?



We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our Neurology team, delivering expert care and support to patients with epilepsy across Northamptonshire.



This is an exciting opportunity to work across both Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital, supporting a joined-up approach to epilepsy care and contributing to the development of a high-quality, patient-centred service.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Epilepsy, you will:

Lead the delivery and coordination of specialist nursing care for patients with epilepsy.



Manage a caseload of patients, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.



Provide expert advice and education to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals across primary, secondary, and social care settings.



Run nurse-led clinics and contribute to service development, audit, and education.



Support patients with complex needs, including pregnant women with epilepsy and those with brain tumours experiencing seizures.



What We're Looking For



A Registered Nurse with significant post-registration experience in neurology or a related field.



Advanced clinical assessment skills and the ability to work autonomously.



A compassionate, patient-focused approach with excellent communication and leadership skills.



Willingness to travel across sites and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.



What We Offer



A supportive and forward-thinking team environment.



Opportunities for professional development and further training in epilepsy care.



Involvement in service innovation and quality improvement initiatives.



Access to NHS benefits including pension scheme, staff wellbeing support, and flexible working options.



If you're ready to take the next step in your nursing career and make a real difference in the lives of people with epilepsy, we'd love to hear from you.



Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications



Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.



Our Excellence Values



Compassion



Accountability



Respect



Integrity



Courage



We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential.



UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.



We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.



We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.



The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Epilepsy is a senior, autonomous practitioner responsible for leading and coordinating specialist nursing care for patients with epilepsy across Northamptonshire. The role spans both Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital, supporting a joined-up approach to epilepsy care. The post holder will manage a caseload, provide expert clinical assessments, and act as a key advisor and educator across health and social care settings.

Main Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care



Lead the delivery of specialist epilepsy services across the region.



Accept referrals from a wide range of professionals including GPs, neurologists, oncologists, and obstetricians.



Conduct advanced assessments, diagnose epilepsy, and initiate treatment plans.



Provide ongoing review and management of patients, including drug therapy and emergency care planning.

Run nurse-led outpatient clinics (three per week:

one new, two follow-up).



Offer specialist support to complex cases such as pregnant women with epilepsy and patients with brain tumours.



Maintain high standards of clinical documentation and participate in research and audits.



Education & Training



Act as a Trust-wide specialist advisor on epilepsy.



Lead educational initiatives for medical, nursing, therapy staff, and external agencies.



Educate patients and carers on epilepsy management, legal implications, and lifestyle adaptations.



Participate in study days and contribute to national and international epilepsy education.



Service Development & Management



Lead the neurology nursing team across both hospital sites.



Evaluate and develop services based on patient and carer feedback.



Collect and analyse service data to inform strategic planning.



Line manage staff, including performance reviews, training, and development.



Maintain a telephone helpline for advice and support during working hours.



Communication & Collaboration



Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers, and professionals.



Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure holistic care.



Ensure robust links with epilepsy associations and community resources.



Governance & Compliance



Uphold professional standards and comply with NMC Code of Conduct.



Ensure safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality protocols are followed.



Maintain professional registration and complete mandatory training.



Support sustainability initiatives aligned with NHS Net Zero goals.



Key Attributes & Requirements



Registered Nurse with post-registration education and experience in neurology.



Non-medical prescriber (essential).



Advanced clinical reasoning and autonomous decision-making skills.



Strong communication, organisational, and negotiation abilities.



Flexible, resilient, and able to work in a dynamic environment.