Job overview
The post holder will work within the Community & Neurodisability Paediatrics (CNP) Directorate as part of the Family Care Division. We work with children and young people (CYP) across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen providing a specialist service in the assessment and management of children and young people with complex disability. CNP is commissioned to complete assessments of neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and ASD.
Main duties of the job
Responsible to the ASD Paediatric Specialist Practitioner, the Support Worker will, in conjunction with other members of an integrated multidisciplinary team, provide specialist holistic support to children and families who are referred to the ASD pathway
You will be supported in the completion of NICE compliant diagnostic assessments with a CYP in both a clinical and community setting, interpreting and accurately inputting clinical information.
To observe, assess and structure findings from the diagnostic test (ADOS, ADI-R, QB) into a professional observation report to aid potential diagnosis or changes to treatment
Following completion of the assessment you will participate in MDT meetings and discussions which may include the diagnostic panel.
Working for our organisation
To work in accordance with the trust values ensuring, safe, personal and effective care at all times.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
CLINICAL
· To work independently with CYP and their families in a range of settings in both the hospital & community, managing own workload, ensuring the child or young person’s health needs are assessed appropriately to aid clinical decision making in a timely manner
· To provide evidence-based patient-centred care to children and their families.
· To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and undertake high quality, NICE compliant neurodevelopment assessments, and observations, including but not limited to ADOS, ADI-R, developmental history taking, school observations and QB testing. This could include completing physical checks such as height, weight & blood pressure and school and clinic observations.
· Recognise and escalate clinical observations outside of normal parameters in a timely manner to ensure the safety of the child
· To utilise clinical skills to set up the QB computerized system at each clinic, reporting any issues to the company, and escalate to senior managers as this may involve the decision to discontinue the clinic and cancel appointments until replacement equipment can be sourced
· To utilise clinical knowledge to assess the CYP cognitive understanding of instructions and ability to complete diagnostic assessments for example ADOS and QB tests and escalate any concerns
· Participate in the collection and inputting of diagnostic information required for neurodevelopmental assessment, including cross-organisation liaison to ensure that assessments are timely.
· To structure findings from diagnostic tests (ADOS, ADI-R), into a professional observation report to reach an outcome in line with national and local guidelines and policy
· To participate in MDT meetings and discussions on a regular basis which may include participation at the diagnostic panel where required to aid diagnosis or changes to individualised support plans.
· To ensure that appropriate records and clinical information is available prior to commencing assessments.
· Maintain accurate and timely records in line with ELHT record keeping policy including waiting list for diagnostic assessment for CYP requiring neurodevelopmental assessments. Managing wait times and ensuring results are actioned appropriately.
· Respects the equality and diversity of CYP, families and carers to ensure that care is delivered in a way that is sensitive to their needs.
· Recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice support as necessary
PROFESSIONAL
· Participate in clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis
· To work as a fully integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team through both accepting and supporting others, being aware and sensitive to your own and other’s values, priorities, interests, and effectiveness.
· Participate in clinical audit as required which may include retrieval and analysis of medical records against set standards.
· Be involved in preparing the environment for the completion of a neurodevelopmental assessment in a range of settings and monitoring the use of resources as required.
Be involved in the delivery and implementation of neurodevelopmental assessments in conjunction with the ASD Paediatric Specialist Practitioners. Ensuring testing slots are utilised fully.
· To recognise and escalate safeguarding concerns to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that timely referrals are undertaken and followed up accordingly.
COMMUNICATION
· Promote professional working relationships with parents, and members of the multi-disciplinary team and external partner agencies involved with families accessing the service.
· Ensure all documentation is contemporaneous in keeping with ELHTs policy and procedures.
· Demonstrate empathy, care and compassion towards children/families who attend the CNP Service.
· Report as soon as practical, all hazards and defects to the Team Leader or Health & Safety Manager where appropriate
· To Communicate effectively with neurodiverse CYP, their parents, and professionals to contribute to the smooth running of the service, considering culture, ethnicity & special educational needs.
· To liaise with CYP families and ensuring where English is not the first language that alternate and reliable sources are utilised to ensure the information is adequately delivered.
· Input into regular team meetings and CNP performance meetings as required providing any relevant feedback.
· Maintain and exercise confidentiality always, including sharing and accessing information only when necessary, keeping information and records secure and confidential.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
· Demonstrate literacy competency in keeping integral clinical records in accordance with NMC Standards of Record Keeping under the supervision of the ASD Paediatric Specialist Practitioner
· Participate in the appraisal process for self and others, linking in with skills relating to the Knowledge and Skills Framework.
· To take personal responsibility for own professional growth, maintaining knowledge and skills relevant to qualification and role.
· To be compliant with completion of all mandatory and identified role specific skills.
· To share relevant skills and knowledge to other colleagues, professionals and students to ensure best practice is adopted.
· To be responsible for identifying own learning and development need and to complete any specialised training specific to role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade ‘C’ or above or equivalent level of skill
* Computer literate
* NVQ level III in Health Care /CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the early years practitioner or equivalent experience working in an educational or health setting
Desirable criteria
* Previous training and experience in conducting neuro-developmental assessments
* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Early Years) or equivalent or NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
* Evidence of experience of working in a Paediatric Health Care or educational setting
* Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
* Effective written and oral communication skills
* Confident at dealing with people over the telephone and face to face
Desirable criteria
* Evidence of working with childhood neurodevelopmental conditions
* Experience of writing reports
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
* Knowledge of neuro-developmental conditions or willingness to engage in further training
* Effective listening and observational skills
* Good organisational skills
Desirable criteria
* Trained in ADOS and QB assessments.
Personal
Essential criteria
* Ability to adapt to changing needs of service
* Proven ability to work as part of a team and be supportive to other team members
* Proven ability to manage priorities under pressure
* Proven ability to organise own designated casework
* Friendly and caring manner - demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitively with people
* Willingness and enthusiasm to develop own and others knowledge, skills and ability
* Proven ability to keep information confidential
Desirable criteria
* Customer service awareness /or similar training
other
Essential criteria
* Access to public/own transport as to meet the needs of the service there may be a need for travel across ELHT sites