Senior Children’s Epilepsy Nurse

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. Manage a clinical caseload, prioritising and delegating work

Provide direction and leadership to junior staff including but not limited to management supervision, caseload management support and clinical oversight.

2. Assist junior staff to prioritise, implement and evaluate patient care in accordance with Trust policies, procedure protocols and guidelines, while adhering to these yourself.

3. To complete a holistic assessment of the CYP identifying their nursing needs.

4. To develop, implement and evaluate appropriate care plans and comprehensive packages of care.

5. To provide quality care to children in partnership with families and carers as commissioned and described within the service specifications.

6. To take all possible steps to ensure the safety and welfare of children and staff.

7. To carry out all relevant aspects of care adhering to NCH&C Trust Policy/procedure and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidelines.

8. To undertake risk assessments and complete Datix reporting as required.

9. To communicate effectively with child, parents/ carers and the wider multi-agency staff regarding the childs wellbeing needs to ensure continuity of care.

1To offer advice, guidance, reassurance and training to families and direct carers as needed.

11. To attend, contribute and chair team meetings, attend Trust meetings, training sessions and courses as required.

12. To act as a specialist support, educator and resource to all other relevant professionals.

13. To provide, implement and regularly assess the teaching of specific nursing techniques, including invasive procedures to identified staff/professionals/parents/carers/student nurses/apprentices in a variety of settings.

14. To work proactively to contribute to the EHCP process

15. To actively engage in the development of protocols and guidelines and care pathways for the management of children with Epilepsy.

16. Promote and develop the use of current evidence to inform service delivery; and promote the development of clinically effective and safe care.

17. Provide initial triage and assessment for new referrals to the service, in line with the service specification and pathways, delegating to appropriate others as required.

18. Support the transition of care for young people transferring from the Childrens Epilepsy service to the Adult Epilepsy service.

a. Support effective discharge where appropriate from hospital to home or respite setting, carrying out risk assessments in line with continuous care assessment to ensure seamless transition to home or into a respite setting.

19. Plan and allocate work in order of priority and delegate to colleagues and direct reports.

2When a clinical need has been identified the post holder will be required to attend consultant led clinics in a variety of settings and geographic locations.

21. Provide support, advice and signposting to parents, carers and professionals in the management of epilepsy through telephone, email and face to face contact.

Professional

1. To support the Clinical Leads, Service Lead, Childrens Quality Matron and Multidisciplinary team to meet the changing needs of children/young people with epilepsy.

2. To work with Clinical Leads, Service Lead, Childrens Quality Matron and Multi-disciplinary team to develop evidence-based practice by utilising research and auditing clinical effectiveness.

3. Ensure that all practice is in accordance with the most recent NMC code: standards of conduct, performance and ethics: standards for medicines, management, management and standards of record keeping.

4. To carry out all relevant aspects of care adhering to the NCH&C Trust policy/procedure and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidelines and standards including where appropriate the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers.

5. Maintain awareness of clinical and professional developments in nursing and participate in nursing research where it is appropriate to do so, to enhance patient care.

6. To support the Childrens Epilepsy Specialist Nursing service in the development of specialist guidelines and protocols, using evidence-based practice for the management of children with epilepsy, liaising with Consultant Paediatricians, Paediatric Neurologists and the Eastern Paediatric Epilepsy Network (EPEN).

7. To network with and establish links with other Epilepsy Specialist Nurses both nationally and locally through Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Association (ESNA)

8. To actively participate in the Trust, management, clinical supervision and safeguarding supervision and where appropriate safeguarding supervisors supervision.

9. Attend team and trust meetings, training sessions and courses as required

1To initiate and contribute to the development and introduction of new ideas and ways of working and act as a source of advice to the benefit of the child and young person and the development of the service.

11. At all times ensures that own actions support and promote equality, diversity and the rights of the public and colleagues within the health care environment.

Management and Leadership

1. Manage, deploy, supervise and delegate work to junior staff and perform their appraisals.

2. Deputise for the clinical lead in their absence.

3. Deputise where appropriate in meetings for other team members or the clinical lead.

4. Mentor students.

5. Conduct new staff induction and training.

6. Work in collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team, specialist staff and tertiary centres.

7. Identify issues relevant for audit and participate as required.

8. Ensure all equipment in use is monitored and checked as per protocols.

9. Have an understanding of and contributes to using the available resources effectively.

1Identify hazards and risks and deal accordingly to actively promote the health and safety of patients, the public and staff in the health care environment.

11. Ensure the views of patients, parents and carers are sought and are incorporated into all aspects of service provision and delivery.

Financial responsibilities

1. Ensure that NHS resources including property, equipment, time are used appropriately.

2. Take personal responsibility for effective management of resources and safe use of equipment.

3. To be responsible for the delivery of Cost Improvement Plans within the team as directed by service managers.

Information Management

1. Maintains accurate records electronically in a professional manner and in accordance with both local Trust policy and NMC guidance.

2. Be aware of relevant trust policies.

3. Is aware of the Data Protection Act and ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained, and patient information is protected.

4. Complete all necessary documentation and ensure confidentiality.

5. To write comprehensive and concise reports where necessary.

Education and professional development

1. Comply with the NMC code of professional conduct in relation to maintaining a portfolio and undertaking 3 yearly revalidations.

2. Be responsible for your own development, applying to undertake relevant training when available.

3. Actively seek educational opportunities to ensure best practice is delivered to patients.

Share knowledge gained with colleagues.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse - Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Registered Sick Children's Nurse or Registered Nurse (Child)
• A recognised Epilepsy qualification (PET 1 and PET 2)
• Experience of working with children with life-limiting conditions/complex healthcare needs

Desirable

• First level degree
• Mentorship qualifications
• Community Nursing/Specialist Practitioner Qualification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registration community experience or equivalent
• Experience working with children and young people who have a diagnosis of epilepsy
• Experience of working with children with life-limiting conditions/complex healthcare needs
• Teaching experience
• Evidence of safeguarding children experience

Desirable

• Evidence of partnership working
• Experience of specialist epilepsy nursing role
• Experience of clinical audit

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work with children and young people, their families and carers to provide holistic, evidence-based care
• Ability to work in partnership with other healthcare workers, agencies and in partnership with parents
• Knowledge of Norfolk Safeguarding Board policies and procedures
• Knowledge of legislation relating to children and national/local policy for children with epilepsy
• PET 1 attendance
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Leadership skills
• Decision making skills
• Observational skill including the ability to recognise children and young people in deterioration
• IT skills
• Ability to teach and assess competency-based practice

Desirable

• PET 2, and PET 3 attendance and completion

Communication

Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Ability to communicate with children with complex needs and limited communication skills
• Ability to relate and communicate with families and other professionals during challenging situations

Desirable

• Experience of alternative methods of communication (sign along)
• Knowledge of de-escalation techniques

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Evidence of post registration learning and development

Desirable

• Evidence of leadership education

Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)

Essential

• Innovative approach
• Commitment to personal development
• Responds positively to change
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Other

Essential

• Must hold a full and valid driving license and have access to a vehicle insured for business use
• Able to communicate effectively using the English language in both verbal and written forms

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).