Children's Asthma and Atopy Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Contribute to the overall aim of reducing emergency department attendances,hospital admissions and readmissions and shorten length of stay where appropriate. With support receive/make referrals from other disciplines To support specialist nurse led asthma clinics Assist nursing colleagues in establishing individualised plans of care for patients withrespiratory and allergic conditions Ensure up to date asthma care plans are available for school staff to enable them tomanage children in the school setting. With support undertake aeroallergen skin prick allergy testing Collaboratively identify areas of nursing practice developments in specialist area To carry out home visits and with support plan, implement and evaluate nursing carefor all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility. Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a childs needs andplanning care. To provide advice contributing to the well-being of the patient and participate inhealth promotion. Provide advice, education and training to service users, carers and professionalsregarding the management and care/support of service users. With support empower the child and family to be confident and competent toimplement their care. Advise on individualised coping strategies and makeappropriate referrals for other support if needed. Promote long term concordance with drug regimes. Act in a professional manner when dealing with patients and relatives Ensure medical needs and instructions are carried out in accordance with nursingand midwifery council guidelines and ensure accurate record keeping (RIO systemused for client records). Undertake individual risk assessments to support children and families within theirown homes Recognise and respond to safeguarding issues as they arise2. Management and LeadershipHigh quality care for every patient, every day Raise the profile of the Paediatric Atopy service within other locations and withother professionals Support, enables and develops other staff Critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and personaldevelopment programmes To be aware of the National Guidelines in relation to the management of asthmain school With senior staff, participate in strategic planning for the future service provisionof the service. Attend meetings as necessary. Ensure that all key targets and key performance indicators are met by workingwithin local and national policies and procedures Support with the management of client caseload Establish and maintain effective communication, formal and informal with primaryand secondary care Act as a preceptor/mentor to students and other staff as required Work as part of an integrated childrens community nursing team, providingclinical support when necessary3. Research Facilitate a high quality, cost effective service through undertaking research,surveys, audits in connection with own work. With support implement findings toimprove patient care and ensure compliance with agreed standards. Utilise research findings to develop new ways of working and disseminaterelevant information to staff. Promote the use of research in practice and research-mindedness Assist the Community Childrens Specialist nurses with updating or writing newcare plans, policies, guidelines and competencies. Contribute to service development Encourage innovation and develop new approaches to patient care Ensure that nursing care relating to patients in the speciality is evidence basedHigh quality care for every patient, every day4. Training Willing to study for a paediatric asthma /allergy qualification or have relevantexperience Provide opportunities for others to learn by being an education role model Undertake mandatory training as outlined by Lewisham and GreenwichHealthcare Trust Supervise/assess nurse learners and post basic students With support plan, design, initiate, monitor & evaluate teaching & learningprogrammes for a variety of professional and voluntary workers including, clients,carers, junior staff members, nurse learners and other professional staff whenrequired. Be pro-active in promoting the health and welfare of clients and families throughproviding individual care plans, advice and resources that empower familiestowards a healthier/safer lifestyle. Complete professional portfolio and Revalidation requirements5. Financial Demonstrate accountability in the use and management of all resources includingfinancial.6. PartnershipsCommunications and Relationships Actively work together with other professionals by communicating with the extendedmulti-disciplinary teams within the primary, secondary and community settings. Towork alongside professionals from other government & non-government agenciesincluding the voluntary sector. Communicate to all relevant staff within the Trust on the atopy service ensuringclarity on care following discharge, expected outcomes and follow-up criteria Actively participate and communicate with Senior Members of the Multi-disciplinaryteam to promote seamless high quality care for clients and involvement of theappropriate team around the child, coordinating activities and meetings as required. Initiate and negotiate communications with families & carers frequently aroundcomplex, emotive and contentious issues regarding management of a childs care inthe community. Use appropriate resources as required such as use of interpreters. Communicate effectively with the child and family to gain trust and to support themthrough the management of both the chronic and acute stage of their condition.High quality care for every patient, every dayGeneral Knowledge in paediatric atopy either through having undertaken relevantqualifications or have relevant experience. Must have clinical assessment skills and competencies and practice must beunderpinned by theoretical knowledge. Act as a resource and role model to junior staff members & other professional staff. There is a requirement for the post-holder to be IT literate as there is a regularrequirement to use computer software to create reports. The team use RIO for all oftheir client notes. To provide a high standard of professional conduct and nursing care at all times inaccordance with the NMC. Attend relevant meetings, courses, seminars and keep professionally up-to-date. Any other duties considered relevant to the post.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• RN Child/RSCN - BSc/ BSc(hons)
• Relevant post registration qualifications eg atopy
• Evidence of continuing professional development, short courses. Theoretical & evidence based practice.

Desirable

• Diploma in Paediatric Asthma
• Diploma in Paediatric Allergy.

Skills and Abilities Required

Essential

• Able to demonstrate ability to work as a team and independently.
• Experience in paediatric respiratory & allergy care.
• Understanding of evidence based practice
• Able to use methodical and structured recording of client information, nursing actions and clinical observations.
• Ability to provide, receive and understand sensitive information relating to safeguarding issues
• Able to communicate sensitively and empathetically with children, young people and their families and carers. This requires a high level of interpersonal skills and empathy.
• Good team building and people skills
• Ability to remonstrate teaching skills
• Prepared to work flexibly
• Can demonstrate enthusiasm for paediatric respiratory / allergy care
• Can demonstrate holistic approach to care
• Willingness to participate in family fun day activities promoting family peer support.
• Willingness to undertake further training to enhance scope of practice.
• Good time management and organisational skills and ability to prioritise a busy and unpredictable caseload.
• Competent in use of IT, data collection and use of internet

Desirable

• Familiar with RiO
• Ability to use research and evidence based findings in practice

Experience

Essential

• Experience gained through previous working with children and families in the community environment
• Evidence of involvement in clinical audit or patient experience data collection.
• Theoretical and practical experience relating to the speciality
• Knowledge and experience handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics
• Experience in teaching

Desirable

• Experience or participation in service development projects

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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Kaleidoscope Children's Centre

32 Rushey Green

Catford

SE6 4JD

Employer's website

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