Staff Nurse - Hospital at Home Paediatrics

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

To be responsible in association with the team leader for the formulation and implementation of individual patient care plans.

To participate in the holistic assessment of patients, and to formulate and review individual patient care plans and to act as named nurse or associate for a group of patients from admission to discharge as determined by the Ward Manager.

To commence and participate in research/special projects as directed by the ward manager.

To contribute to the setting, maintaining and monitoring of standards of care within the ward.

Help to ensure that all equipment is in safe working order in conjunction with the department equipment controller.

Internal rotations onto night duty and twilight shifts are required.

To assist in the promotion of effective communication with all ward staff and other departments as required.

Promote the safeguarding of vulnerable patients in line with national and local policy

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL

To be professionally accountable, to recognise and address own limitations and practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of Professional Practice.

To be a caring, clinically competent (develop clinical competence if newly qualified) registered childrens nurse (experienced registered nurse holding a Qualification in Speciality (QIS) on NNU) who ensures patient safety and well-being is paramount at all times.

To effectively manage (/ develop the leadership skills over time and as appropriate to effectively manage) the ward as a team leader on a shift basis in the absence of a sister or ward manager (holding a QIS on NNU)

To support and advise junior colleagues, students and unqualified staff and supervise the nursing care provided ensuring safe practice at all times.

To be responsible for the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for all patients liaising with their families at all times.

To be responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions for young people with mental health issues.

To plan, with the family, at the earliest possible opportunity, the discharge of their child liaising closely with all members of the primary health care team.

To recognise the importance of the role of the play specialist and involve as necessary.

To ensure the confidentiality of patient information at all times.

To ensure that all unit philosophy, policies and procedures are adhered to at all times and that any amendments to policies are acted upon immediately.

To communicate effectively with staff and patients to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to children and their families and that comprehensive information is documented.

To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

To have appropriate skills and knowledge relating to the process of safeguarding children and child protection including:

Demonstrate sound knowledge of the current safeguarding agenda, legislation and statutory guidance.

Demonstrate an understanding of the safeguarding framework, including Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection procedures.

Have an awareness of the impact of parental factors on a child including mental health, domestic abuse and drug substance misuse.

Have an awareness of the increased vulnerabilities of looked after children and the risk of further maltreatment.

Have an awareness of normal child development and the factors which could indicate abuse or neglect.

Be able to recognise possible signs of maltreatment or abuse.

Be able to document safeguarding / child protection concerns, and maintain appropriate record keeping, differentiating between fact and opinion

Be able to share appropriate and relevant information between multi agency teams in writing, via telephone and electronically.

Be able to identify where further support is needed, when to take action, and when to refer to managers, supervisors or other professionals including social services.

Be able to contribute to multi agency safeguarding / child protection procedures including risk assessments.

Be able to work with children and families where there are child protection concerns.

Be able to ensure that children are listened to, and have the opportunity to contribute in decision making as appropriate for their age and development.

Be able to challenge other professional when required and provide supporting evidence.

Understand the purpose of and guidance in relation to conducting serious case reviews, serious incident reviews and management reviews and be able to demonstrate learning from such cases.

To ensure the ward environment is clean, safe, welcoming, appropriate and child-friendly at all times.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure patient records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is done in line with Trust policies and procedures

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

To attend mandatory training, including Paediatric / Neonatal Life Support and Child Protection/ Safeguarding training according to Trust and local policy.

To participate in ward teaching programmes, e.g. informal bedside clinical teaching.

To participate in family education programmes and health promotion opportunities.

To demonstrate a commitment to personal continuing education.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To act as preceptor /mentor to new members of staff, facilitating the achievement of their competencies throughout their preceptorship/orientation period in close collaboration with the ward manager and the nursing team.

To act as mentor to pre-registration nurses and other students/visitors to the ward ensuring that support and instruction is provided as appropriate.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To participate in any research undertaken in the unit.

To actively assist in the Departments Audit Programme

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Children's Nurse with current NMC Registration

Desirable

• Teaching & Assessing Qualification/Training or equivalent
• APLS Certified
• RGN (Adult) with current NMC Registration
• Evidence of on-going relevant education at Master Level

Other

Essential

• Motivated individual, commitment to personal & professional development
• Flexible and adaptable approach

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time management, record management and organisational skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
• Knowledge of current professional & clinical issues
• Knowledge of Safeguarding Children procedures
• Awareness of the national agenda for children including Children's NSF; Every Child Matters
• Working Knowledge of and ability to implement Child Protection/Safeguarding policies, Child in Need procedures, Common Assessment Framework

Desirable

• Shift management experience
• Evidence of an area of particular interest relevant to general paediatrics e.g. breast feeding, high dependency, infection control, pain, mental health, asthma, diabetes, young people
• Post registration experience in Paediatrics
• Significant post registration experience within an acute hospital setting in Paediatrics
• Mentoring students

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR

Employer's website

https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)