Children's Community Epilepsy Nurse

Job responsibilities

• As an autonomous practitioner, manage a caseload of children with continuing medical/nursing care needs in relation to Epilepsy and related conditions, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating individual programmes of care to meet their continuing needs in the community, take advice from clinical lead for care if required.
• In conjunction with the team manager accept referrals of children with epilepsy and related additional care needs in accordance with Childrens Community Nursing protocols. Providing support and education at the time of diagnosis and ongoing as needed.
• Liaise with Paediatricians and other multi-disciplinary/agency staff to organise or participate in discharge planning meetings facilitating an early and efficient transition from hospital to home and effective continuity of care.
• Prioritise and undertake visits to children and their families at home or other appropriate settings, to undertake nursing tasks, monitor health, and provide ongoing support and advice.
• Participate in the multi-disciplinary team in the implementation of complex care packages for children in the community. Disseminate knowledge through report writing and review, ensuring clinical accuracy and reliability for any information shared.
• Instruct parents/carers on clinical/nursing skills such as enteral/parental feeds, passing naso-gastric/gastrostomy tubes, emergency medications, drugs: oral, injections.
• Identify child/parent learning needs and modify approach accordingly, developing strategies and tools for learning.
• Initiate, lead and co-ordinate multiagency meetings, eg EHAT ,TAM .
• Contribute to the maintenance of high standards of care by developing evidence based protocols and guidelines and ensure they are introduced into all care settings, including homes, schools and other community settings; as well as inpatient services as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain an in-depth specialist knowledge of epilepsy and related conditions that effect children on caseload.
• Actively participate within Local, Regional and National networking groups
• In conjunction with the deputy manager assess the need for, and organise where necessary supplies of equipment and ensure families/carers are trained in their use.
• Liaise with multi-disciplinary staff to facilitate the smooth transfer from paediatric to adult services.
• Use problem solving skills to prevent health deterioration and reduce hospital admissions.
• Update your specialist knowledge to ensure that your area of specialty is evidence based and in line with government documents.
• Provide health education/promotion in a sensitive and tactful manner.
• • Within Epilepsy role attend clinics, monitor ongoing physical, medical and psychological/social condition of the child, reporting to the Consultant where appropriate in order to expedite treatment changes.
  • Report and in conjunction with the deputy manager manage any untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, and injury or drug administration errors as outlined in Trust policy.

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  COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

  • Establish methods of communication and understanding with young children or those who have sensory or communication difficulties.
  • Communicate condition related information to children and their families/carers at a level appropriate to their understanding.
  • Educate, support and guide children and their families in order to promote empowerment by facilitating an understanding of the management of the childs condition.
  • Offer support, promoting positive mental health in children, adolescents and their families, in order to manage stress, encourage the proactive management of their conditions and promote independence.
  • Lead in the provision of palliative/terminal care, liaising with primary care team and other agencies to ensure continuity of care.
  • Follow trust child protection guidelines working in an open and honest way in families. Seeking supervision on a planned basis. Providing reports as required by partner agencies demonstrating analysis of risk.
  • Liaise with multi-disciplinary staff to facilitate the smooth transfer from paediatric to adult services.
  • Identify appropriate self-help or voluntary organisations advising the child and family of the facilities they offer.
  • Provide expert advice to GP, primary health care team and relevant agencies in the community regarding the care of children with specific conditions.
  • Participate in training programmes for medical students, clinicians, pre- and post-registration student nurses, community respite carers and observers, in both clinical and educational settings.
  • Organise and present at multi-disciplinary/agency training days.
  • Manage absence, appraise and provide supervision to junior members of the team. Delegate care as appropriate accepting accountability for training and supervision of untrained staff in specific care needs.
  • Provide specialist advice and support to external agencies, i.e. social services, education and voluntary services about the care of children with specific conditions.
  • Participate in networking and extending knowledge by membership of the South West and National Associations, i.e. South West Paediatric Epilepsy Association, Childrens Community Nursing Forum.
  • Make referrals to other members of the health care team and other agencies in order to optimise a childs care.

  Update your specialist knowledge to ensure that your area of specialty is evidence based.

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable Experience working with children and young people with ADHD and associated conditions
• Detailed proven knowledge of evidence based intervention and support for young people with ADHD and their families
• Proven Knowledge of NICE guidance and other national guidance pertinent to the diagnosis and management of children and young people with ADHD
• Demonstrable Experience of independently managing a caseload which includes children and young people with complex social, emotional and health needs

Desirable

• Demonstrable Experience of working within Community Paediatric services
• Proven Knowledge of emotional and mental health needs within children and young people
• Demonstrable Experience of completing audits or research
• Demonstrable Experience developing or delivering training to groups
• Awareness of contemporary issues relating to safeguarding children

Qualifications

Essential

• Currently registration as a Registered Nurse in Learning Disability (RNLD), Mental Health (RMN) or Children (RSCN)
• Proven Evidence of continuing professional development
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.
• NMC-approved mentor qualification

Aptitude and abilities

Essential

• Excellent listening, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to effective communicate information in writing through clinical notes and reports
• High degree of organisational skills and Effective time-management
• Problem solving skills and the ability to make decisions and work unsupervised
• Willing to assess and undertake risks
• Ability to deal with conflict and challenge
• Ability to develop an effective working relationship with the multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Research/audit ability
• Presentation Skills
• Experience of delivering innovation within healthcare settings

Disposition and attitude / other

Essential

• Flexible
• Acceptance of diverse lifestyles
• Resourceful
• Self-Confident
• Able to respond appropriately to pressure
• An ability to develop a professional relationship with young people and families experiencing high levels of challenge and stress
• High level of Motivation to help develop evidence based models of care for young people and their families which are efficiently delivered and cost effective
• Ability to be able to travel between visits

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).