Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description Nurse

Reports to Clinical Team Leader

Job Summary

The post involves working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing specialist palliative care and support for children and young people from 0-35 years. The post holder will be expected to work without direct supervision, providing a high standard of holistic care to children and young people with a variety of complex health needs. Effective communication skills are required to support children, young people and their families during their stay in the hospices. The hospices provide care over a 24-hour period and the post holder is expected to work flexibly across all shifts.

Key Responsibilities

To provide a high standard of palliative care for children, young adults with complex health care needs and members of their families.

To develop and maintain the clinical skills required to deliver complex care using practice based on best evidence.

To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary Care Team providing care, advice and support in line with professional accountability.

To provide supervision and support to other members of the Care Team, valuing the skills and qualities of all Team members, sharing expertise and learning new skills freely and willingly.

To be aware of the safety and safeguarding needs of children, young adults, families and other staff and to comply with:

The Children Act 2004

DOH No Secrets Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (Mar 2000)

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

NMC code and guidelines

Key Tasks

Undertake clinical nursing assessment of the child /young person and develop comprehensive care plans in partnership with family members ensuring practice based on best evidence. Clinical assessment will include evaluation of symptoms and review of symptom management plans in collaboration with the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Deliver a high standard of clinical nursing care which is based on best evidence.

Communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people and their families.

Be responsible for the safe administration of medication following the Medicines Management policy/SOP and NMC guidance.

Lead and co-ordinate a small team during a shift under the supervision of the Site Coordinator organising the care and activities for the shift delegating to non -registered staff appropriately.

Maintain accurate records of all types, whether written or electronic and maintain confidentiality at all times.

Maintain an up to date knowledge and awareness of issues around the safeguarding of children and young adults, ensuring that appropriate steps are facilitated through effective communication across multidisciplinary agencies.

Be responsible for developing and maintaining own skills identified in the Clinical Competency Framework with support from the Practice Education team.

Maintain agreed governance processes through incident reporting and risk assessment. Participate in audits as required.

Liaise with outside agencies involved in the care and support of the children and young people and their families.

Attend meetings as required, including staff meetings and support sessions.

Participate in the orientation of new staff and students; act as mentor if requested, on completion of the Mentorship course.

Be responsible for personal professional development, maintaining awareness of current developments in palliative care for children, young people and families.

All staff are reminded of their responsibility to adhere to Trust and Departmental Infection Protection Policies, including PPE use, cleaning and decontamination of the environment and equipment in order to protect their own health and that of service users, other employees and visitors.

This job description does not attempt to describe all the tasks and responsibilities of the post, but rather illustrates with examples the main role of the post-holder. It is therefore subject to alteration and development and will be reviewed jointly with the post-holder and Director of Care.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with valid up-to-date registration with NMC
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• 1 years PQE
• Experience and good understanding of clinical supervision and reflective practice
• Effective communication
• Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Good understanding of Safeguarding procedures
• Ability to cope with stressful situations
• Enthusiasm, professionalism, positivity and good work ethic
• Understanding of the principles of equality, inclusivity and diversity

Desirable

• RSCN/RN Child
• Bachelors degree in nursing
• Palliative care course
• Experience of working with children/young people with palliative care needs
• Sound nursing knowledge and clinical skills based on up-to-date research and best practice

Experience

Essential

• Post qualifying experience of one year which includes practice working with children and young people with highly complex needs and disability
• Experience of effective collaborative working with professionals from other agencies and disciplines
• Experience of holistic assessment and individualised planning of care
• Experience and good understanding of clinical supervision and reflective practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with children/young people with palliative care needs
• Experience of child protection and vulnerable adult procedures, report writing conferences
• Experience of clinical audit

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust (Naomi House)

Address

Stockbridge Road

Sutton Scotney

Hampshire

SO21 3JE