Job Opportunity: PD Nurse Specialist based in Mayo

Job Description
Job Title: Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist
Reporting to: CEO (with clinical liaison as required)
Location: Mayo (including travel across the County and surrounding areas).
Contract type: 2-year fixed term contract
Weekly Hours: 14 hours per week, typically worked over two days (Wednesdays and
Thursdays). Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
Probation: 6 months
Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Organisation overview
Parkinson’s Ireland (PI) is a charity based in Dublin with branches throughout the Republic of
Ireland. The aims of PI are included in the PI strategic plan which can be viewed at the following
link: https://www.parkinsons.ie/strategic-plan-2023-2027/
We do this through educating the public and raising awareness. We fundraise to help provide
essential services, throughout the country. Currently our primary push is to finance the provision of
Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists, ideally working in association with neurologists or geriatricians,
based in the community.

Job Purpose
The Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Nurse is a specialist leader, manager, collaborator practitioner,
educator, researcher and administrator. This role seeks to provide social, psychological, and
educational support on how to manage Parkinson’s for patients, carers and their families.
Aligned to the PI Strategy, the job holder will work closely with the other PI Nurses and other PI
team members and will have responsibility for proactively assisting with the development of the PI
service. The primary focus is to provide education, Parkinson’s training and advice on Parkinson’s
management to persons living with Parkinson’s disease in Co. Mayo and the surrounding areas,
their relatives and care partners, and the wider community to ensure their ability to manage all
aspects of their PD with the aim of facilitating self-care where possible.

Key responsibilities
These fall into two categories, direct and indirect care.

A. Direct Care

1. Manage a defined patient caseload, working unsupervised at times and under the direction
   of the CEO, using specialist Parkinson’s nursing skills to assess the needs of the person
   and to plan, implement, document and evaluate care.
2. Provide full specialised support for the local service users. Prioritise the needs of newly
   diagnosed persons with PD and design and implement teaching sessions based on
   individual patient’s assessment of needs.
3. Develop a therapeutic relationship with patient and family, and actively involve them in their
   treatment where appropriate.
4. Assess patient understanding of their diagnosis and its implications, teach the person and
   their families about the specific therapies relevant to PD.
5. Participate in the provision of psychological care for people with PD and their families.
6. Provide a service that is evidence based and which aims to improve quality of life for
   patients with PD.

B. Indirect Care

1. Act as an expert resource and to provide highly specialised advice about diagnosis and
   management of PD to other health professionals.
2. Work closely with other members of the PI team, attend team meetings and ensure effective
   communication between professionals to benefit the overall PI service.
3. Ensure patients have follow up sessions where necessary.
4. Attend local branch events and at times, provide outreach services to PI members in
   adjoining areas.
5. In conjunction with other members of the service, develop protocols, standards,
   guidelines and documentation systems to promote best practice.
6. Keep statistics on patients care and to submit reports as requested.
7. Maintain high professional standards, keep fully up to date with Parkinson’s Disease
   research, attend training and development courses as needed, and comply with all protocols
   and legislation relevant to the nursing profession.
8. Assist with ongoing research projects and the selection of new projects where appropriate.
9. Assist with our clinical initiatives as they arise e.g. awareness campaigns, and the
   development of information resources on PD.

Person Specification
Qualification & experience

• Must be registered in the General Division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
  (NMBI).
• Must have nursing experience in neurological services. A qualification in Parkinson’s care
  would be a distinct advantage.
• Previous experience in developing programmes in a community setting and working in the
  community and with not-for-profit sector is desirable.
• Must have excellent verbal and written English language skills.
• Good all-round IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must hold a current EU / Irish driving license and vehicle.

Key Competencies

• Willing and capable to take on responsibility. Must be able to make decisions.
• Must be able to communicate well and support service users and staff.
• Proven time management with the ability to deliver to tight deadlines.
• Proven initiative, common sense and resilience
• Must display empathy and compassion for people with Parkinson’s disease and their
  families.
• Must have evidence of patience and adaptability in managing chronic conditions.
• Proven commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Parkinson’s Ireland is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and
applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic
protected by applicable law. We embrace diversity and inclusion as essential elements of our
workplace culture and strive to create a supportive and respectful environment where all individuals
are valued.

Please Note: Job descriptions reflect the present service requirements and may be subject to
review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service.

Closing date: Friday, the 29th of May 2026 at 5pm.
To apply: please send your CV and a cover letter to shane@parkinsons.ie