Job Purpose  

• Operate as the regional senior clinical subject matter expert (SME).
• Act as an initial SME point of contact between the Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) with resultant long-term health issues and the NHS, integrating Help for Heroes input to the clinical pathway within the Recovery Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). 
• Provide clinical advice and support to veterans, their families, loved ones and carers, and to Help for Heroes personnel in support of the charitable objects and values.

Accountabilities        

• Lead on the assessment of clinical needs of individual veterans, their case management and delivery of professional support as part of the MDT.   
• Line Management, guidance, governance, and support to the regional clinical team.

Main Responsibilities

• Seek out and establish effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.   
• Engage with serving personnel, veterans, and their families, working with partner agencies, charities, and other organisations to offer clinical support and advice.
• Promote and practice coaching for health, facilitating and empowering veterans to actively participate in managing their own health.
• Liaise with the regional Personnel Recovery Units (PRUs) regarding those who may require support during and post transition from the Armed Forces.
• Liaise with the regional NHS, building a strong relationship, scoping the potential to develop and coordinate Veterans Injury Clinics alongside the NHS.
• Support the NHS to maintain contact with veterans, especially those who are challenging to reach.
• Participate in Help for Heroes MDT meetings, case conferences and other meetings as requested.    
• Maintain an active database of cases, fulfil data requests as requited, produce monthly updates, reports and record outputs and outcomes on the Records Management System.
• Support veterans in managing complex treatment pathways, and actively following up individual progress.
• Liaise with other medical facilities where veterans with complex injuries are being treated. 
• Arrange and accompany veterans to appointments at specialist clinics.
• Adhere to Help for Heroes risk management processes.
• Attend relevant regional clinical meetings such as the NHS Armed Forces Network.
• Support group educational and outreach events and individual GP practices when required.
• Influence and work with a range of agencies and charities identifying any new opportunities to develop the regional services.
• Contribute to the development of organisational and wider policy, especially in the regions and be cognisant of regional variations.
• Horizon scan and be alert to the development of Government, Third Sector and professional strategies, policies and initiatives in the Veteran and healthcare arena.
• Represent the Head of the department and fulfil additional duties as identified.  
• Represent Help for Heroes when requested at National and local meetings and events and in the media, promoting and upholding its charitable objects and values.
• Embracing our team approach, deputise for Help for Heroes Clinical personnel across the UK when required.
• Maintain professional standards working within the NMC Code of Professional Practice and Guidelines.
• Ensure veteran confidentiality meets Data Protection and Records Management requirements.
• Ensure CPD is up to date to maintain current NMC registration and revalidation requirements.
• Participate in and record mandatory supervision.
• Additional duties as identified.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience   

• Registered Adult/General Nurse at Level/Band 7.  
• Current NMC registration.
• Management experience.
• Experience of operating within the Defence Medical Service/MOD and NHS as a Registered Band 6 Nurse.
• An understanding of and empathy with the requirements of veterans and their families.
• Ability to maintain complete confidentiality, professionalism and trust when engaging with veterans and Help for Heroes personnel.
• Full understanding of the Caldicott Guidelines.
• Have a clear understanding of the principles of Healthcare Governance.
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Competent in the use of computers, particularly the use of Microsoft Office 365 and Teams.
• A self-starter with the ability to work with the minimum of direction.
• Confident and engaging presentation skills. 
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Experience  

• Have served in the Armed Forces. 
• Experience of and awareness of Mental Health issues.
• Previous experience of working with a ‘Medical Information System’.
• Understanding of the Third Sector and how healthcare is delivered across the UK.

Key Competencies & Behaviours

• Confident and polite manner.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and to understand needs and expectations.
• Positive, empathetic, patient, and friendly.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Display the highest levels of integrity, confidentiality, and commitment.
• Agility to respond quickly to changing demands and demonstrate strong skills in prioritisation and time management.
• Ability to work within a range of environments and working cultures, adapting personal style accordingly.
• Analyse information quickly and communicate in a concise and articulate manner.
• Attention to accuracy and detail in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team and be a flexible team player.
• Demonstrate self-motivation and use of initiative.
• Prepared to travel covering the designated region, embracing flexibility in working hours including some overnight stays.