Job summary
A post has become available within the Essex Community ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Service at Consultant level 8B. This service is well-established and respected. It is a small, friendly multi-disciplinary team which provides a service to patients with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and associated conditions across Essex. The team is based at the Tyrells in Benfleet and the post holder will be required to travel to other Essex-wide clinic locations.
We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Physiotherapist or Nurse to assess and diagnose, provide expert clinical care plans, leadership and consultancy for patients and service users with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and associated conditions. The candidate will need to be able to demonstrate substantial clinical experience at a senior level, with strong leadership skills and a clear commitment to service evaluation, improvement, and development.
The Essex Community ME/CFS service provides assessment, diagnosis, and therapy support to people across Essex over the age of 16. We are a multidisciplinary team which currently comprises of a Consultant Nurse, Specialist Physiotherapist/Clinical Service Manager, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Specialist Physiotherapist, Well Being Practitioner and two part time administrators.
If you are interested in the role and believe you hold the qualities we require, then apply today!
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide expert input within the ME/CFS service by actively providing direct care and advice, consultancy, assessment, and clinical supervision. The consultant will lead in assessment and diagnosis of patients with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and associated conditions, working across the various agencies in line with national guidance. You will be expected to investigate and monitor efficient and effective service through audit, research, and service evaluation in line with local and national requirements and report progress regularly to the key agencies.
The successful candidate will act as an advisor and role model, providing clinical leadership to clinical and non-clinical staff. You will be required to contribute to the strategic planning process across the whole system of services associated with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia.
The successful candidate will lead in developing standards which promote best practice and clinical effectiveness, whilst also providing professional leadership in the specialist area of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia, for colleague therapists and other health care professionals. Finally, you will establish effective networks, clinically and educationally and act as a point of reference for advice, consultation, and support.
As some travelling is required, a car driver is essential for this role.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 4th Juneat Southend University Hospital.
About us
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress
Job description
Job responsibilities
Assessment and therapy is to be carried out in accordance with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellent (NICE) clinical guidelines and includes: providing diagnosis, guidance and advice for patients with symptoms of ME/CFS, developing awareness of fatigue-related thoughts, feelings and behaviour, fatigue management techniques, pacing, activity management and strategies for managing stress, anxiety and setbacks. Assessment of Fibromyalgia is guided by the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria and understanding around managing this condition holistically and the ability to explain pain is vital to this role.
Main responsibilities of the role are:
Expert Practice
- To provide expert input within the ME/CFS service by actively providing diagnosis, direct care and advice, consultancy, assessment and clinical supervision.
- To work alongside colleagues across the agencies and professions to manage this group of patients in a collaborative way.
- To demonstrate expertise, advanced knowledge, problem solving and decision-making capabilities in the best interest of the patient and the service generally.
- To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of medicines including principles of Pharmacology and be able to advise or adjust medications.
- To be proactive in advising GPs where to refer patients for appropriate treatment.
- To provide GPs with advice and guidance.
- To clinically prioritise referrals into the service.
- To promote best practice and facilitate the integration of research theory in to practice through an advanced level of clinical reasoning and decision-making.
- To exercise an exceptional degree of personal, professional authority involving complex facts or situations, which possibly require multi-disciplinary involvement.
- To refer patients directly for medical opinion where appropriate eg. Pain control or Rheumatology involvement.
- To provide an expert advice service to all users, including voluntary bodies and other health professionals.
- To demonstrate advanced understanding of ethical and moral dimensions of practice.
Leadership
- To act as an advisor and role model, providing clinical leadership to clinical and non-clinical staff.
- To contribute to the strategic planning process across the whole system of services associated with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia.
- To take a lead role in developing standards which promote best practice and clinical effectiveness.
- To provide professional leadership in the field of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia for colleague therapists and other health care professionals.
- To establish effective networks, clinically and educationally and act as a point of reference for advice, consultation, and support.
The post is 18.75 hours (0.5wte) which must include a Tuesday and a Wednesday.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Assessment and therapy is to be carried out in accordance with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellent (NICE) clinical guidelines and includes: providing diagnosis, guidance and advice for patients with symptoms of ME/CFS, developing awareness of fatigue-related thoughts, feelings and behaviour, fatigue management techniques, pacing, activity management and strategies for managing stress, anxiety and setbacks. Assessment of Fibromyalgia is guided by the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria and understanding around managing this condition holistically and the ability to explain pain is vital to this role.
Main responsibilities of the role are:
Expert Practice
- To provide expert input within the ME/CFS service by actively providing diagnosis, direct care and advice, consultancy, assessment and clinical supervision.
- To work alongside colleagues across the agencies and professions to manage this group of patients in a collaborative way.
- To demonstrate expertise, advanced knowledge, problem solving and decision-making capabilities in the best interest of the patient and the service generally.
- To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of medicines including principles of Pharmacology and be able to advise or adjust medications.
- To be proactive in advising GPs where to refer patients for appropriate treatment.
- To provide GPs with advice and guidance.
- To clinically prioritise referrals into the service.
- To promote best practice and facilitate the integration of research theory in to practice through an advanced level of clinical reasoning and decision-making.
- To exercise an exceptional degree of personal, professional authority involving complex facts or situations, which possibly require multi-disciplinary involvement.
- To refer patients directly for medical opinion where appropriate eg. Pain control or Rheumatology involvement.
- To provide an expert advice service to all users, including voluntary bodies and other health professionals.
- To demonstrate advanced understanding of ethical and moral dimensions of practice.
Leadership
- To act as an advisor and role model, providing clinical leadership to clinical and non-clinical staff.
- To contribute to the strategic planning process across the whole system of services associated with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia.
- To take a lead role in developing standards which promote best practice and clinical effectiveness.
- To provide professional leadership in the field of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia for colleague therapists and other health care professionals.
- To establish effective networks, clinically and educationally and act as a point of reference for advice, consultation, and support.
The post is 18.75 hours (0.5wte) which must include a Tuesday and a Wednesday.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Degree / Diploma
- MSc or equivalent
- Independent prescribing qualification
- High level of relevant CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experience with complex caseload management
- Senior level experience managing a CFS / ME and Fibromyalgia caseload
- Excellent clinical assessment and treatment skills
- Experience with change management and service development
- Ability to work in a pressured and fast paced environment
General
Essential
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills
- Excellent personal and team management skills
- Presentation skills
- Car owner / driver
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Degree / Diploma
- MSc or equivalent
- Independent prescribing qualification
- High level of relevant CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experience with complex caseload management
- Senior level experience managing a CFS / ME and Fibromyalgia caseload
- Excellent clinical assessment and treatment skills
- Experience with change management and service development
- Ability to work in a pressured and fast paced environment
General
Essential
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills
- Excellent personal and team management skills
- Presentation skills
- Car owner / driver
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
