Learning disabilities and Autism specialist Nurse

The Learning Disability and Autism Lead Nurse will work both independently and as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, providing expert clinical leadership, advice, and support to improve the care and experience of people with a learning disability or autism accessing Trust services. The post holder will coordinate information with patients, carers, clinical teams, and partner agencies to support effective patient journeys across outpatient, inpatient, and discharge pathways. They will promote awareness of the specific health needs of people with a learning disability or autism, supporting staff to deliver person-centred care and implement reasonable adjustments in accordance with national standards and statutory requirements. Acting as a highly visible specialist nurse resource across the organisation and lead on the Trusts strategy for the management in Adults with an Learning disability or autism.

At East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.

• The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
• New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
• Hertford County, Hertford
• Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood

We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.

We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.

Essential: - Registered nurse on part 2 of the NMC register (adult nurse, RN2); - Registered nurse on part 2 of the NMC register (Learning disabilities nurse, RN6); - Evidence of post registration continual professional development in relation to learning disabilities, policy and practice; - Evidence of professional continuous development and portfolio of learning; - Hold an MSc or have evidence of study at MSc level or have a willingness to undertake further study.

Desirable: - Teaching and assessing in clinical practice qualification

Essential: - Evidence of leading service change; - Experience of leading within a team; - Understanding evidence-based practice and its application at a service user facing leve; - Have sound knowledge of the national learning disabilities strategy and LeDeR program; - Have experience and knowledge of working alongside statutory and voluntary organisations

Essential: - Good communication and listening skills; - Leadership skills; - Ability to respond positively to change; - Able to communicate with all levels of staff within the Trust and a variety of agencies; - Able to work autonomously; - Able to support staff in decision making processes in complex circumstances

Essential: - Expert theoretical and practical knowledge of supporting individuals with an LD or autism accessing NHS services and sound knowledge of local and National policies and guidance.; - Understand the audit process and improvement methodology.; - Understanding and awareness of equality and diversity and health care inequalities which may affect services users in their day to day lives.

Essential: - Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff; - Role model our Trust values every day; - Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour.; - To have a positive, patient centered caring approach; - To maintain positive professional relationships with Trust colleagues and wider members of the Hertfordshire safeguarding MDT; - Have an ability to empower others.; - Be an effective time manager.; - Have line management skills.; - Have an ability to enthuse and motivate others to achieve goals; - Have an ability to remain calm and focused when under pressure in order to maximise positive outcomes