MND Family Care Coordinator
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If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a fixed term contract until 28th October 2025 for an MND Family Care Coordinator, 16 hours per week. This is a new role funded by the charity Challenging MND to support informal carers looking after loved ones with MND, working alongside the Neuro Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist & MND Co-ordinator, based in the Neuro-Rehabilitation Service, Colchester Hospital.
The post will cover the North East Essex area & will be predominantly community based but may also include hospital visits if a patient is in hospital & the carer needs some support. This is an excellent opportunity for you to develop & expand your skills and experience in MND & person-centred care.You will be responsible for providing emotional & psychological support to family, carers & patients adjusting to illness, disability, end of life issues & bereavement. This will involve communicating sensitive information to patients, relatives & carers; empowering & supporting carers & wider family members; liaising with other specialist practitioners; & contributing to the development of the service by providing new ideas & having a flexible approach to an evolving service.
We are seeking applications from Assistant Practitioners, Associate Practitioners, Healthcare Assistants & other support worker roles where transferable skills can be evidenced.
This is a Fixed Term post until 28/10/2025 Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only.
Main duties of the job
To work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary Neurological Rehabilitation Team in North East Essex, alongside Challenging MND, MNDA and other relevant services, such as our local hospice, and across care providers in the area, to ensure continuity of care when patients and their family carers are being cared for under these services.
To provide support for the relatives of the patients living with MND in hospital and community settings, who are at risk of deteriorating health that may result in declining quality of life; or avoidable hospital admission or an unnecessary longer length of stay for the family member with MND.
To support with care assessments, Decision Support Tools and undertaking a holistic assessment of each family to establish eligibility for ongoing care funding.
To regard the family carer and their support needs as being inextricably linked to the patient that they care for and that by managing and supporting one, they are also supporting the other. The family carer should be assessed for ongoing support needs to avoid burnout and deterioration to crisis point.
To be part of the Care Coordination team, and provide care support for families across North East Essex.
To be aware of the MND NICE guidance for best evidence-based practice.
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria- Proven experience of working in a relevant speciality/with patients and carers with life limiting illnesses
- Competence in field of activity
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Knowledge and skills acquired through a combination of formal training, short courses, in-house training and experience to diploma level or equivalent E.g. FdSc Health and Social Care (Associate Practitioner)
- Other relevant training
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Demonstrate an understanding of drivers, principles and guidance relevant to care group
- Understand the impact of client conditions
- Demonstrate an understanding of community issues
- Knowledge of therapy and nursing procedures, activities or interventions relevant to field of activity and how and when to modify them
- Understanding of elements of care relevant to area of work, such as personal care, nutrition, non verbal communication and including some specialist techniques
- Knowledge of legislation and health & safety applying to role
Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.
Please make sure that you read the Job Description and Person Specification attached and that your statement in support reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria.
Secondment - if you are interested in undertaking a role on a secondment basis, please ensure that you have discussed this with your current line manager prior to submitting your application. Please note if you are already an employee of ESNEFT fixed term roles will only be offered on a secondment basis.
When providing reference details please provide email addresses so references can be sought promptly to cover the last 3 years of employment.
Successful candidates may be charged for their DBS check. Please ensure you read the information found in the attached DBS Information document
The Trust is committed to its staff and their development and to equal opportunities and diversity. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.
Whilst we welcome applications from all and your application will be considered on individual merit, if you are offered a position and require a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship we may not be able to process your application to the final stage due Home Office eligibility.
In submitting an application form, you authorise East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; we look forward to receiving your application for employment.