Parkinson's disease Specialist Practitioner

This 12 month FTC (maternity leave cover) is an exciting opportunity to develop and consolidate specialist skills in Parkinson's disease, working across the acute and community pathways.

The Parkinson's Specialist Practitioner will be responsible for the provision of the Parkinson's Disease (PD) service for people affected by PD and parkinsonian syndromes who are living in City and Hackney and are seen at The Homerton Hospital.This will include patient and carer advice and support, facilitation and advice on access to therapy and other support services, monitoring and adjustment of medication.

This post is open to health care professionals with relevant training including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians , pharmacists and nurses.

Experience in working with people with Parkinson's Disease is essential, but candidates may not have specialist knowledge of PD; a willingness and ability to develop the required levels of expertise is required.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will:

Have/ develop specialist skills in the care of patients with PD including the co-ordination and delivery of treatments, evaluating patient management and identifying strategies for the further development of a high quality and cost effective service.

1. Work as an autonomous practitioner.

2. Receive direct referral for patients with PD and manage the caseload independently and without supervision.

3. Be able to communicate and negotiate in complex situations and across a range of teams/ specialities.

4. Work closely with the Adult Community Rehabilitation Team, Integrate Independence team (IIT), Adult community nursing teams in order to develop and influence an integrated approach to the delivery of the care to patients with PD in City and Hackney.

5. Work closely with the Homerton Neurology and Elderly Care teams to develop robust referral and diagnostic pathways to improve access and equity of expertise in the management of PD across the trajectory of the disease course and to minimise inappropriate hospital visits or admissions

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.

We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.

We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.