Job summary
Are you an experienced and motivated Children's Nurse with a passion for working with Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease and their families? The Hertfordshire Children and Young People's Sickle Cell Service provides a countywide, community-based service aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life for all CYP with Sickle Cell Disease on the caseload. We are seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our caring and compassionate team acting as an expert resource for patients, families and professionals.
Main duties of the job
The Children and Young People's Sickle Cell Service strives to meet the health needs of the population from birth to 18 years with Sickle Cell Disease across Hertfordshire. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be responsible for the maintenance and development of high-quality clinical nursing practice within an autonomous and highly specialised role, improving care and quality of life to those in their care. This will be achieved through clinical practice, management, education, research, audit and professional activities taking into account current best practice guidelines and Trust strategies and objectives.
About us
You can apply to Access to Work to get money for communication support at a job interview - please use this link for more information: need to apply before the interview takes place.
Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To take the lead on clinical care in the management of a patient caseload with consultant supervision, providing an expert assessment, plan and evaluation within this specialist area. To provide leadership, direction and clinical advice to patients, families and professionals, on all matters related to Sickle Cell Disease within Children and Young People (CYP), focusing on health promotion and prevention of crisis when it may be achieved. To act as an advocate through the application of ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills for patients and staff particularly in schools, ensuring they receive the understanding and facilities they need to manage their condition. Able to communicate sensitive condition related information to CYP and families, in a manner which is caring, developmentally appropriate and jargon free. To ensure that safeguarding children and safeguarding vulnerable adult principles are adhered to at all times and contribute to safeguarding processes as required. Ensure that CYP their families views are central to the development of the service. To develop and maintain good working relationships with staff supporting the needs of children with Sickle Cell Disease including paediatricians, GPs, school nurses, health visitors, therapists, education and social care staff. To manage patient and professional queries over the telephone and face to face as appropriate. To participate in educational programmes for CYP and families in relation to Sickle Cell Disease, so that they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice. To coordinate training for carers based on the CYPs individual health care needs and record educational activities in a manner which allows the service to be audited appropriately. To provide professional training at conferences, study days and workshops relating to Sickle Cell Disease for both health colleagues and those working in education and social care. To ensure HCT guidelines, policies and procedures in relation to the management of Sickle Cell Disease are evidence based and up to date. To be able to understand and interpret information requiring use of judgement involving complex facts and/or data which requires analysis, reporting and audit. To lead in collaboration with Consultant Paediatricians in acute paediatric services in developing protocols and guidance around the management of inpatient care and participate in the development of multi-professional standards and evidence based clinical protocols for this specialist area in collaboration with other professional groups. To take an active part in professional networks to ensure the exchange of knowledge and ideas, both locally and nationally. To participate in clinical supervision of self and others and utilise reflective practice techniques. To supervise learners undertaking placements within the Childrens Specialist Nursing Services. To assess and report any risk, clinical and non-clinical, for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients in line with the Risk Management Policy. To maintain a high standard of clinical records on SystmOne, ensuring all activity, both direct and indirect patient contact, is recorded accurately, ensuring all supporting documents are scanned onto SystmOne. To organise own specialist workload, planning activities around the needs of individuals and adjusting daily diary according to priorities as they arise. To work autonomously without supervision, accountable for own professional actions. To deputise for the Service Manager for Childrens Specialist Nursing Services as required. To represent the Children and Young Peoples Business Unit at meetings as required, providing feedback from these meetings.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Registered Children's Nurse
2. First Degree in relevant subject
3. Community Qualification (Specialist Practitioner)
4. Leadership qualification
Desirable
5. Master's degree or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
6. Specialist course or evidence of CPD relating to Sickle Cell Disease
7. Experience of caring for CYP with Sickle Cell Disease in a community or acute setting and knowledge of how chronic illness affects CYP and their families
8. Experience of working in diverse communities
9. Experience of working strategically across organisational boundaries
10. Experience of lone working
11. Sound knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding processes
12. Experience using SystmOne
Skills and Abilities
Essential
13. Expert teaching and facilitation skills
14. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
15. Ability to sustain periods of frequent concentration as required
16. Ability to remain calm and composed in a challenging situation
17. Possess resilience to deal with any distressing and emotional demands of the role
18. Leadership qualities enabling communication across several teams and organisations
19. Proficient computer skills including the use of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
Additional
Essential
20. Ability to travel and work in a variety of settings across Hertfordshire
21. f applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).