Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and dynamic nurse or allied health professional to join the multidisciplinary Somerset Neurology service to take a lead role in the Somerset Multiple Sclerosis service. We are looking for an enthusiastic and forward thinking nurse or AHP with an ACP MSc and non medical prescribing qualification or a band 7 trainee ACP post for those candidates that have a passion for the management of MS and relevant clinical experience but do not have the full ACP qualification. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and relevant experience to deliver high quality. specialist care to people with MS in Somerset as well as taking a lead with the neurology symptom management service and probationer. Full support and training will be given for the role. Car driver essential or the ability to travel to meet the needs of the role as not all locations are accessible by public transport. Based at Musgrove Park Hospital with cross site and county working. Main duties of the job Establish and maintain excellent communication with individuals or groups. providing and receiving highly complex sensitive and or contentious information and exploring complex issues across a wide range of care options and decisions. Demonstrate effective communication skills and supporting people in making decisions. planning care or seeking to make positive changes using Health Education England Framework to promote person centred approaches in health and care. Use highly developed communication skills to provide guidance, advice, and support to the individual regarding management of their health condition and its impact on individuals and carers life. Communicate complex, very sensitive, sometimes distressing information to patient and carer using empathy and reassurance, identifies and overcome barriers to understanding as appropriate. Establish supportive partnerships with individuals or carers and communicates with them, sometimes in highly distressing or emotional circumstances, which may involve imparting bad news. Establish and maintain local and regional network of contacts sharing of good practice, innovative ideas and promotes best practice. Ensure that accurate, essential, and appropriate written and verbal information is relayed to staff, ensuring adequate facilities are in place to maintain safety in the environment, ensuring effective management of patient caseload. About us At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer: Flexible working options to help you balance work and life NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy. Date posted 11 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 184-OL-OR-2033 Job locations Musgrove Park Hospital Musgrove Road Taunton Somerset TA1 5DA Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will need to be responsible for the assessment, diagnostics, and treatment of individuals within the Neurology service using an advanced level of professional accountability, autonomy, and judgement, underpinned by Masters level theory and experience. This includes highly complex decision making across a broad range of differentiated and undifferentiated individual presentations and complex situations, synthesising information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence based judgements and diagnoses. To be the Non Medical lead for the Somerset Multiple Sclerosis and symptom management service for delivery, evaluation and improvement, including line and supervision management of other neurological practitioners. To hold an autonomous caseload, run designated clinics, this will include ACP led MS disease modifying drug and MS urgent assessment clinics, review and DMD clinics, the MS Service helpline, and MDT MS acute symptom clinics. To plan and manage complete episodes of care. This will be working in collaboration with senior medical colleagues and others when required. Delegating and referring as appropriate, to ensure timely, effective management to optimise health outcomes, in line with the evidence base and nationally recognised best practice. Prescribe medication for individual patients within the agreed scope of practice; this will include repeat prescribing of MS DMDs and symptomatic treatments. To lead on clinical governance, repeat prescribing, DMD safety monitoring, and protocol development in MS as part of the MS MDT. Ensure NHSE blueteq forms are completed annually for high cost DMDs where the ACP is the prescriber. Manage new MS drug therapy introduction, linking with pharmacy to ensure these are added to the formulary, and leading on relevant NICE TAs and as part of the MDT. To play a key operational role and maintain a proactive approach to managing, updating and leading clinical pathways in MS and other neurological conditions. To promote and implement service and policy development and redesign, impacting beyond own area and other disciplines, informed by current best practice and evidence base, in accordance with values based care. To participate and lead research initiatives related to MS and other neurological conditions and promote critical engagement with research by staff. To ensure high quality learning environments for all disciplines within a context of multi professional education and training that is responsive to future changes and challenges. Reflecting and embedding current trends and feedback, National Education and Training Survey. Leading to and supporting the maintenance of a learning environment producing learners that are fit for Our Future and workforce plans, including meeting The Long Term Plan patient pathways. Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will need to be responsible for the assessment, diagnostics, and treatment of individuals within the Neurology service using an advanced level of professional accountability, autonomy, and judgement, underpinned by Masters level theory and experience. This includes highly complex decision making across a broad range of differentiated and undifferentiated individual presentations and complex situations, synthesising information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence based judgements and diagnoses. To be the Non Medical lead for the Somerset Multiple Sclerosis and symptom management service for delivery, evaluation and improvement, including line and supervision management of other neurological practitioners. To hold an autonomous caseload, run designated clinics, this will include ACP led MS disease modifying drug and MS urgent assessment clinics, review and DMD clinics, the MS Service helpline, and MDT MS acute symptom clinics. To plan and manage complete episodes of care. This will be working in collaboration with senior medical colleagues and others when required. Delegating and referring as appropriate, to ensure timely, effective management to optimise health outcomes, in line with the evidence base and nationally recognised best practice. Prescribe medication for individual patients within the agreed scope of practice; this will include repeat prescribing of MS DMDs and symptomatic treatments. To lead on clinical governance, repeat prescribing, DMD safety monitoring, and protocol development in MS as part of the MS MDT. Ensure NHSE blueteq forms are completed annually for high cost DMDs where the ACP is the prescriber. Manage new MS drug therapy introduction, linking with pharmacy to ensure these are added to the formulary, and leading on relevant NICE TAs and as part of the MDT. To play a key operational role and maintain a proactive approach to managing, updating and leading clinical pathways in MS and other neurological conditions. To promote and implement service and policy development and redesign, impacting beyond own area and other disciplines, informed by current best practice and evidence base, in accordance with values based care. To participate and lead research initiatives related to MS and other neurological conditions and promote critical engagement with research by staff. To ensure high quality learning environments for all disciplines within a context of multi professional education and training that is responsive to future changes and challenges. Reflecting and embedding current trends and feedback, National Education and Training Survey. Leading to and supporting the maintenance of a learning environment producing learners that are fit for Our Future and workforce plans, including meeting The Long Term Plan patient pathways. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professional Registration with either NMC, GPhC or HCPC.Evidence of MSc level education. Such as:Evidence of Continuing Professional DevelopmentNon-Medical Prescribing (if appropriate to registered profession / role.)Relevant role specific qualifications in Multiple sclerosis Desirable Neurological physical examination skills Experience Essential Significant experience of working as a registered practitioner in a provider organisation (e.g. acute sector, community provider, third sector, social care or primary care) and within a relevant specialty (minimum 6 -7 years)Demonstrable experience of working independently in a band 7 clinical role within the field of Multiple SclerosisEvidence of recent teaching, mentorship and supervision of staffEvidence of recent audit and/or research experienceEvidence of involvement in change management and/or clinical service improvement.Experience of multi-professional working. Desirable Completed ACP training mapped against relevant / neurorehabilitation national credentials. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professional Registration with either NMC, GPhC or HCPC.Evidence of MSc level education. Such as:Evidence of Continuing Professional DevelopmentNon-Medical Prescribing (if appropriate to registered profession / role.)Relevant role specific qualifications in Multiple sclerosis Desirable Neurological physical examination skills Experience Essential Significant experience of working as a registered practitioner in a provider organisation (e.g. acute sector, community provider, third sector, social care or primary care) and within a relevant specialty (minimum 6 -7 years)Demonstrable experience of working independently in a band 7 clinical role within the field of Multiple SclerosisEvidence of recent teaching, mentorship and supervision of staffEvidence of recent audit and/or research experienceEvidence of involvement in change management and/or clinical service improvement.Experience of multi-professional working. Desirable Completed ACP training mapped against relevant / neurorehabilitation national credentials. 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 (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Musgrove Park Hospital Musgrove Road Taunton Somerset TA1 5DA Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)