The closing date is 25 November 2025
To assist in the delivery of a high standard of care to children and young people and their families under the supervision of the registered nurses.
To provide support to all members of the multidisciplinary team ensuring a smooth and efficient service to children/young people and their families.
Main duties of the job
* To ensure family centred care is promoted on the ward and children and young people are treated with respect and dignity
* To act with professionalism and integrity, being a role model to those around us and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity
* To provide a service that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and to understand what our children and young people need, and be adaptable and responsive
* To provide a high-quality customer service which complies with relevant legislation and NHS employment check standards
* To be honest and learn from mistakes, and help to create a "no-blame" culture where people feel able to share and learn from experiences together
* To work as part of a team demonstrating effective communication, and working collaboratively with colleagues inside and out of the department
* Acknowledge that you need to continually deliver greater value to customers
* Be honest about your biggest challenges and create a culture of curiosity and openness
* Make a deliberate effort to connect with strangers from different walks of life and invite them to share their ideas
* Be curious and creative about new possibilities, whilst identifying what works well and to do more of it
* Help to develop and foster a learning environment where feedback is welcomed and valued
* To care and support and build trust with the child and family in what can be a very stressful time for them
About us
Louisa Cary is an acute children's ward at Torbay hospital which cares for children and young people 0 - 18yrs on our 19 bedded ward which consists of 2 HDU beds, 11 cubicles and a separate 6 bedded young's area. We also have a Short Stay Paediatric Assessment area (SSPAU) which is open Monday to Friday. Where family centred care is promoted.
The post will require close liaison with all areas where children are cared for within the trust, such as ED, day surgery, SCBU, children's community team and outpatients. We are a very supportive team which encourages personal development which is supported by the practice educator on the ward.
Job responsibilities
Communication and working relationships
* To have good interpersonal skills with staff, relatives and patients.
* To contribute positively to the team, ensuring effective communication with other members to work toward agreed objectives.
* Demonstrate a caring, compassionate and friendly attitude. Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy and be approachable.
* This position requires empathy and tact when dealing with families who may be angry or upset.
* To be an advocate for the child and family.
Planning and organisation
* To support the preparation of children who are undergoing procedures e.g., taking of bloods/particularly children who are needle phobic and preparation for surgery.
* To be aware of all policies and procedures of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and to ensure that they are always adhered to.
* To be aware of safeguarding children issues and seeks guidance from the Registered nurses.
To seek out clinical/safeguarding supervision at least 2 times a year
* To ensure documentation is of a high standard that provides continuity of care and is completed in accordance with trust record keeping being overseen by the Registered nurse.
* To ensure family centred care is promoted on the ward, SSPAU, outpatients and children and young people are treated with respect and dignity.
Physical skills
* Working in acute fast paced clinical areas.
* Manual dexterity to use a keyboard.
* Ability to write legibly.
* Required to use computer and telephone.
* Be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the child/young person on their level.
Patient and client care
* Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
To check that patients and families have all they need for a comfortable stay.
* To assist in the provision of care alongside of the Registered nurses to maintain a high standard of nursing care by carrying out instructions from the registered nurses and reporting outcomes.
* To follow prescribed standards of care formulated by the Registered Nurse to ensure continuity of care is maintained.
* To undertake skill-based practices by following a competency-based framework in order to be assessed as competent.
* To follow a framework of assessment so that individual children/young people are adequately assessed and awareness of needs are addressed.
* To work in all areas of child Health as the need arises Louisa Cary, Paediatric outpatients and Special care baby unit.
Policy and service development
* Participate in ward/unit environmental audits.
* Evaluate own actions, reduce risks to health & safety and promote a health and safety culture in the workplace.
* Ensure compliance with policies procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the nurse in charge of the ward, in accordance with Trust policy.
* To be aware of child protection issues and seeks guidance from the Registered nurses.
Finance, equipment and other resources
* To monitor the environment to ensure all areas are clean and tidy. Remove clutter, tidy notice boards.
To report any faults or damage to the equipment, fabric of the department to Estates.
Ensure all equipment/toys is cleaned to Trust standards and contamination.
No direct responsibility for budget. Must be aware of the cost implications when using materials and resources.
People management and training
* Attend mandatory training and relevant study days to develop own knowledge and skills.
Information technology and administrative duties
Be familiar with relevant computerised systems integral to the running of the service.
To report any faults or damage to the department to Estates.
To be able to, scan and photocopy.
Basic IT skills which can be developed.
Research and development
To actively participate in audits and surveys.
Freedom to act
To comply with trust infection and control policies and always conduct him/herself in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.
To participate incident reporting in accordance with Trust policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Child care qualification/ health and social care or equivalent qualification
* Care Certificate
* English & Mathematics at GSCE grade A-C (9-4) or level 2 functional skills
Knowledge and experience
* Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/ life experience
* Understands the need for strict confidentiality
* A Knowledge of Child Development
* Experience working with children/young people
* Working knowledge of complex care needs of some individuals/families including Safeguarding Children & Adults, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health
* Experience of working with children in a hospital setting
Specific skills
* Basic computer/keyboard skills
* Fine motor skills - for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
* Good interpersonal and communication skills
* Able to prioritise and organise work
* Able to work under instruction, under pressure and as part of a team
* Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
* Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances
* Able to manage stress in themselves and others
* Able to offer support at times of emotional distress
* Willingness to undertake new skills and training
* Able to work as a team member or independently
* Ability to adapt behaviour to changing and challenging situations
* To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
* The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust
* Healthcare competencies appropriate to area of work
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.
Employer name
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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