Job responsibilities
Job Description Childrens Community Nurse (Band 7 equivalent)
Reports to Head of Naomi House & Paediatric Services
Job Summary
This is a new exciting joint post between Naomi House Childrens Hospice and Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (HHFT). The post holder is expected to work flexibly between both the hospice and community care setting throughout the 24 hour period according to service needs.
The role is to provide clinical leadership across all care services and undertake responsibility for line management of a group of nurses and carers. They will ensure communication is maintained across the care leadership team involving all Clinical Team Leaders and Care Managers, and will take responsibility for the effective organisation and delivery of care across all services on a day-to-day basis.
HHFT community childrens services provide high quality and safe nursing care out of hospital through community childrens nursing services, special school nursing teams and Firvale. There is a single organisational structure responsible for delivering the comprehensive service led by registered Community Childrens Nurses, Specialist Paediatric Nurses, Special School Nurses and Specialist Community Physiotherapy. They are supported by Clinical Facilitators, Associate Practitioners, Health Care Support Workers with administrative support providing nursing care and support to:
- Neonates, children and young people with acute and short-term conditions and illness.
- Neonates, children and young people with long-term conditions
- Children with disabilities and complex conditions, including those requiring continuing care.
- Neonates, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening illness, including those requiring palliative and end of life care.
The delivery of high quality, effective and compassionate care is the most important role within both organisations. This clinical leadership role therefore has the authority required to deliver the responsibilities and accountabilities outlined in this job description.
Key Results/Responsibilities in house and community
To lead and coordinate the day-to-day provision of care to the children and their families on the community caseload.
To lead the provision of a very high standard of care and support for all children, young people and their families attending Naomi House and Jacksplace.
To support the effective and efficient running of all Naomi House & Jacksplace care services.
- To provide clinical leadership to members of the Care Team, including clinical supervision, practice audit, development and training.
To liaise fully with the Clinical Team Leaders/Care Managers and other Site Co-ordinators.
To provide line management, guidance and support to a team of nurses and carers.
- To provide clinical expertise, advice and guidance across the care team as required.
Provide support and supervision to staff and students in the care team, across both hospice and community settings.
To work in partnership with the hospice multidisciplinary team as well as any other agencies involved in the care, to ensure the delivery of seamless service across all settings.
Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in childrens palliative care and keep staff informed.
Maintain an up to date knowledge of organisational policies and ensure that these are adhered to in the work with children and families on the caseload.
Assist in promoting the economic, efficient and equitable use of resources.
Contribute to improvements in the service and the quality of care to children and families. This will include initiating and implementing agreed changes.
Ensure that Health and Safety requirements are met and that risks to staff and children are assessed and action taken to minimise these.
Please also see the appendix outlining the Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (HHFT) Key Results/Responsibilities.
Clinical Responsibilities
To deliver a high standard of individualised holistic care and support to children and their families in their own homes or other community setting, promoting empowerment, advocacy and partnership.
To carry out specific health care assessments of children/young people.
Communicate effectively with all members of the hospice multidisciplinary team, as well as any other agencies involved in the care.
Work in partnership with other agencies to deliver end of life care at home, where necessary.
Participate in the provision of an on call rota for end of life care as required.
Recognise the need for specialised bereavement support and refer to hospice Family Support Team.
To work clinical shifts within the hospice as part of the care team rota as per service need.
To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary Care Team providing care, advice and support in line with professional accountability.
To be aware of the safety needs of children, young adults and families and other staff and to comply with:
The Children Act 2004 as part of the care team rota
DoH No Secrets Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
NMC codes and guidelines.
Key Tasks
Work flexibly alongside families in the direct care of their children; whilst maintaining best practice, allowing the family to choose the level of involvement with the Care Team.
Work flexibly with young people to provide care and support in line with their preferences and wishes.
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.
Maintain agreed governance processes through incident reporting and risk assessment.
Attend staff meetings and team briefings and participate in other meetings as appropriate.
Liaise with outside agencies involved in the care and support of the children and young people and their families.
Participate in the orientation of new staff and students; act as mentor if requested.
Participate in staff support sessions provided by the Trust.
Maintain accurate records of all types, whether written or electronic and maintain confidentiality at all times.
Be responsible for personal professional development, maintaining awareness of current developments in palliative care for children, young people and families.
With the support of Practice Educators undertake and maintain skills identified in the Competency Framework.
You will be offered clinical supervision, regular appraisal and support in achieving your personal development plan as well as peer support from colleagues in similar roles. Naomi House and HHFT will ensure excellent development opportunities and a range of expertise for advice and support in your role. Secondment to palliative courses, national, regional study days and networking events will be actively supported. This post is fixed term for a two year period.
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.
