Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Support Worker

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Support Worker role within the Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Nursing Service (PENS) for 22.5 hours per week.

You will be expected to help and support the service to ensure the smooth delivery of care to our patients and their families, this will include varying clinical and clerical tasks.

You will work as a part of a team with PENS Nurse Specialist, Consultants and their Secretaries. You will also assist within the Children Resource Centre and other Specialist Nursing Services as and when required.

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive, confidential and high quality administrative and clinical support service to the Paediatric Epilepsy and Neurology Service under the supervision of Roald Dahl Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Nurse Specialist.

The role will include using dedicated systems to manage patient appointments and also maintain patient records, collect data for Best Practice Tariff and audit purposes.

The post holder must also communicate effectively with all members of the multi professional team, children and young people with epilepsy/neurology (CYPE) and their families. The job will involve patient contact on the telephone and face to face within a clinical environment.

The post will require independent working following agreed guidelines within Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Service. It will require the post holder to prioritise their own work load and to use their initiative.

To be an active member in planning and progression of the Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Service services and implement service improvement.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Date posted

15 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,329 to £26,958 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

252-6504692

Job locations

Darent Vally Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Maintain the dignity and respect of patients at all times.

Maintains a safe environment for children, young people, families, visitors and other staff.

Maintain excellent communication with patients, relatives and their families, as well as members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding all aspects of care and demonstrate a variety of communication skills in accordance with the client group and in line with Trust policies and procedures.

Deal appropriately with all telephone calls, correspondence, direct contact with patients, relatives and internal/external staff, referring on to the relevant member of the Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Service; using judgement and discretion where necessary

Provide administrative support to the team. Including using PAS and other systems to book and outcome clinics. Re organise and re structure clinics due to service change and consultant and nurse capacity.

To give basic advice to patients parents, health professionals and the general public as guided by the specialist nurse and accurately record information in the patients notes or internal system. Maintains confidentiality at all times ensuring that information is only given out as instructed by a registered nurse or doctor

Ensuring that appointments are made in a timely and appropriate manner involving the booking, amending or cancelling of appointments using the patient Administration System (PAS) liaising with adult and paediatric medical secretarial teams.

Works on own initiative and prioritises own workload seeking advice and escalating issues when required.

Respond appropriately to emergency situations escalating to senior member of team and supporting families appropriately.

To be the first point of contact to children and their families under the care of the Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Service.

Constructs Seizure care plans for schools in line with national guidance for the Nurse Specialist.

Participate in gathering and sending on information for audit

Make sure clinics are prepared, documents are printed for Nurse led clinics patients notes are ready for clinics and requested from Health records as necessary

Set up clinic rooms for both consultant and nurse led clinics. Including ensuring room has relevant equipment and information

Complete and record patient observations and investigations (height, weight, blood pressure, ECG and phlebotomy) Liaise with Outpatients appointment teams to add extra clinics when needed.

Prepare and send letters or emails to patients, their families and outside agencies.

Organise face to face and virtual Epilepsy awareness training with schools, preparing information, booking and communicating with school and other professionals, preparing certificates and analysing feedback data to share with Nurse Specialist. Keeping database of attended staff for records.

Using Winscribe to type up from dictation for Nurse led clinic documents.

Participating in the organisation of groups or events that have been set up for children and young people with Epilepsy and their families

Reports any concerns to the ENS in relation to child protection. Liaise with named nurse or named doctor as appropriate.

Chaperones children, as requested by the Nurse Specialist

Reports any accidents or incidents to the Nurse Specialist.

Is aware of the location of emergency and resuscitation equipment and appropriate procedures

Assists in maintaining a safe environment for children and families, visitors and other staff, as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act, Health and Safety policy, Risk Management policy and COSHH regulations. Support Paediatric Outpatient Dept with cover for staff shortages in workload allows with permission of Nurse Specialist.