Job summary
The Children's Assessment Unit provides acute medical and nursing care to Paediatric patients within a 7 bedded, 8 chaired unit within Riverbank Paediatric Unit. We take referrals from GPs, health visitors, midwives, A&E and patients with long term conditions and open access to the unit.
The post holder carries responsibility for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the care needs of a child or group of children, without direct supervision. The post holder will assist and work with the senior sister on shift to ensure high standards of care are maintained. A period of preceptorship or induction (dependant on previous qualified experience) will be provided.
This post is to work in the Children's Assessment Unit and Paediatric Virtual Ward, which will be run from CAU
You will rotate on a shift by shift basis between CAU and Virtual ward, depending on clinical need at that time and be expected to cover the inpatient area.
Main duties of the job
- Manage the care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
- Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal reports.
- Be participant in managing a caseload of eligible children and young people who qualify for the Paediatric Virtual Ward, under the leadership of the CAU manager and Paediatric Matron.
- To facilitate early discharge from hospital by working collaboratively with the ward nursing team to promote safe and early discharge of a prescribed group of paediatric patients.
- Ensure that all drugs are administered, recorded and stored in accordance with Paediatric Unit and Hospital Drug Policies.
- Ensure that effective discharge planning, which begins at the time of admission, is developed and maintained to assist in optimal discharge time for the child.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A and E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of- the- art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical and Professional Leadership
- Manage the care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
- Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal reports.
- Be participant in managing a caseload of eligible children and young people who qualify for the Paediatric Virtual Ward, under the leadership of the CAU manager and Paediatric Matron.
- To facilitate early discharge from hospital by working collaboratively with the ward nursing team to promote safe and early discharge of a prescribed group of paediatric patients.
- They will communicate with all necessary members of the multi-agency team to plan ongoing care and to prevent hospital admissions whenever possible
- Use play as an effective means of communication, therapy and stimulation at all times during the planning and implementation of care. Where required, involve play specialist, ward teacher and schools in accessing and developing appropriate play/education programmes to meet the needs of the individual child.
- Take account of the health promotion needs of the individual child/family, and ensure that relevant information and support are given to meet these needs at an appropriate time during the childs stay in hospital.
- Ensure that all drugs are administered, recorded and stored in accordance with Paediatric Unit and Hospital Drug Policies.
- Ensure that all untoward incidents and accidents are reported, using appropriate documentation.
- Ensure that effective discharge planning, which begins at the time of admission, is developed and maintained to assist in optimal discharge time for the child.
- Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection control.
- Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that she/he is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient, staff and other users safety.
Managerial
- Prioritise workload, ensuring the safety of children and their families in your care
- Take responsibility for ensuring that all resources are used in a cost - effective way, to the benefit of patients in your care.
- Assist in the maintenance and control of stocks and stores on the ward.
- Assist in ensuring that regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment is carried out, faults reported and defective equipment is removed from use.
- Manage the shift, on occasion, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the Multidisciplinary team.
Teaching and Learning
-
Take a proactive role in ensuring that you receive feedback regarding personal and professional development through regular appraisal and more informal methods.
-
Develop and maintain a professional portfolio in line with NMC guidelines and PREP proposals.
-
Set regular objectives for self-development in line with ward/unit objectives, and ensure that relevant training is undertaken to meet development needs.
-
Participate in demonstrating skills to other members of staff, as appropriate.
-
Take an active part in teaching programmes, both as a teacher and a learner, according to competence in relevant topics.
-
Have a well-developed understanding of clinical practice with effective supervision, mentoring, and assessment skills.
-
Provide clinical advice as required to staff, patients, and carers, promoting evidence-based clinical practice and reducing risk to patients.
Communication
- Regularly participate in ward meetings, team meetings and hospital - wide activities as required.
- Ensure that messages are relayed to relevant staff/parents/children at all times.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of effective mediums for communication to all members of staff in the ward.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical and Professional Leadership
- Manage the care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
- Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal reports.
- Be participant in managing a caseload of eligible children and young people who qualify for the Paediatric Virtual Ward, under the leadership of the CAU manager and Paediatric Matron.
- To facilitate early discharge from hospital by working collaboratively with the ward nursing team to promote safe and early discharge of a prescribed group of paediatric patients.
- They will communicate with all necessary members of the multi-agency team to plan ongoing care and to prevent hospital admissions whenever possible
- Use play as an effective means of communication, therapy and stimulation at all times during the planning and implementation of care. Where required, involve play specialist, ward teacher and schools in accessing and developing appropriate play/education programmes to meet the needs of the individual child.
- Take account of the health promotion needs of the individual child/family, and ensure that relevant information and support are given to meet these needs at an appropriate time during the childs stay in hospital.
- Ensure that all drugs are administered, recorded and stored in accordance with Paediatric Unit and Hospital Drug Policies.
- Ensure that all untoward incidents and accidents are reported, using appropriate documentation.
- Ensure that effective discharge planning, which begins at the time of admission, is developed and maintained to assist in optimal discharge time for the child.
- Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection control.
- Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that she/he is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient, staff and other users safety.
Managerial
- Prioritise workload, ensuring the safety of children and their families in your care
- Take responsibility for ensuring that all resources are used in a cost - effective way, to the benefit of patients in your care.
- Assist in the maintenance and control of stocks and stores on the ward.
- Assist in ensuring that regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment is carried out, faults reported and defective equipment is removed from use.
- Manage the shift, on occasion, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the Multidisciplinary team.
Teaching and Learning
-
Take a proactive role in ensuring that you receive feedback regarding personal and professional development through regular appraisal and more informal methods.
-
Develop and maintain a professional portfolio in line with NMC guidelines and PREP proposals.
-
Set regular objectives for self-development in line with ward/unit objectives, and ensure that relevant training is undertaken to meet development needs.
-
Participate in demonstrating skills to other members of staff, as appropriate.
-
Take an active part in teaching programmes, both as a teacher and a learner, according to competence in relevant topics.
-
Have a well-developed understanding of clinical practice with effective supervision, mentoring, and assessment skills.
-
Provide clinical advice as required to staff, patients, and carers, promoting evidence-based clinical practice and reducing risk to patients.
Communication
- Regularly participate in ward meetings, team meetings and hospital - wide activities as required.
- Ensure that messages are relayed to relevant staff/parents/children at all times.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of effective mediums for communication to all members of staff in the ward.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RSCN or RN Child
- Current NMC registration
Desirable
- Evidence of further development
Experience
Essential
- Research based nursing practice
- Staff and student training and development
Desirable
- An awareness of change management, clinical risk management and clinical audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Organisational and timekeeping skills
- Teamworking
Desirable
- Can contribute to the needs of the service
Personal Skills
Essential
- Understands the responsibility of the position and the need for flexibility within the role
Desirable
- Can work well under pressure
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RSCN or RN Child
- Current NMC registration
Desirable
- Evidence of further development
Experience
Essential
- Research based nursing practice
- Staff and student training and development
Desirable
- An awareness of change management, clinical risk management and clinical audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Organisational and timekeeping skills
- Teamworking
Desirable
- Can contribute to the needs of the service
Personal Skills
Essential
- Understands the responsibility of the position and the need for flexibility within the role
Desirable
- Can work well under pressure
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
