Childrens Community Nurse #945

Job summary

Dougie Mac Childrens are currently looking to recruit Community Childrens Nurse who share our passion in providing excellent, personalised and compassionate care to children, young people and their families. At Dougie Mac our vision is to be admired as a centre of excellence for palliative and end of life care. Our many different services provide children, young people and their families and carers, with physical, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual support, at home, or here at the Hospice.

Main duties of the job

To work as an autonomous practitioner in assessing, implementing and evaluating nursing care to children and families served by the organisation across the community, hospice and hospital settings.Work in partnership with other professionals and agencies to provide planned child and family focused holistic care.To act in an advisory role to other professionals and staff from other agencies in respect of palliative care for children and families.

About us

Dougie Mac is an open-culture organisation, underpinned by clear strategic aims, vision and values. By joining Dougie Mac, you will be part of a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to delivering person-led, responsive and cost effective services of the highest quality. Staff at Dougie Mac are well-motivated, with professional development pathways, and given opportunities to be reflective in their roles through supervision and reflective practice. Dougie Mac has been named the UKs Best Charity to Work For in the 2023 quarter 3 league table compiled by independent employee engagement specialists, Best Companies.The prestigious title was awarded by the Best Companies 2023 Accreditation which also gave Dougie Mac a three star rating the highest possible ranking meaning that the hospice is now classed as a World-Class Organisation to work for. The Hospice offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, funded study, free parking, Paycare and much more.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibility for Staff Acting as a role model within the team, motivating staff and setting an appropriate example.Support workforce development through the provision of education, training and development.To contribute to the training, education and support of a range of both medical and nursing students on clinical placement within the service.Co-ordinate and manage staff in the absence of Team Leader.Train and assess competence of Care Support Workers Take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision opportunities.Work in clinical practice alongside staff acting as a role model to support, supervise and assess training and development needs.Responsibility for Childrens Care Assess, plan, implement and evaluate plans of care for children in partnership with child, parents/ carers and other professionals. Provide effective care, treatment and management within the community setting and/ or hospice setting.Ensure care delivered is delivered to predetermined standards.Work in partnership to actively involve parents/carers and children in the implementation and evaluate of care plans. To educate children and their families about their condition, its significance and management of symptoms, ensuring information, advanced care planning and support is available.Encourage and promote the use of research/evidence based nursing practice, keeping up to date with current local and National developments.Ensure that accurate nursing/ care records are maintained for all children, young people and familiesProvide information for children, young people and families, giving clear on-going information as the childs illness progresses, ensuring that parents are facilitated to maintain control and make informed decisions relating to the care of their child. Work collaboratively with local clinical teams involved in supporting children in receipt of palliative and end of life care in their preferred place of care. Ensure effective day-to-day communication in respect of childrens and young peoples health and care management with parents/carers.Contribute to the protection of children at risk in accordance with the area safeguarding procedures.To act as an advocate for the child and family.Responsibility for Resources Promote the safe and effective use of equipment and resources.Liaise with Team Leader regarding resources, including skill mix.Be responsible for the safe and effective use of equipment, ensuring all equipment used is safe, maintained and in good working order, and only used for the purpose for which it is designed.To ensure that hospice resources and facilities are used to maximum effect by managing the allocation of care activities. Service Responsibilities To be involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of service developments and implement changes to established practices and/or policies.To participate in clinical governance activities. Attend meetings relevant to post and on behalf of the Head of Childrens Services or OrganisationParticipate in and conduct audits of service in partnership with Team Leader.To work towards the achievement of service objectives.Participate in the delivery of training and education programs. To support the Head of Childrens Services in ensuring the hospice is fully compliant with the regulatory requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).Ensure practice is clinically effective and evidence based.Contribute to the development and provision of a safe, effective and efficient service.To act as a professional resource for other members of the multi-disciplinary team, parents and carers.To undertake agreed projects using own initiative where necessary.To promote the philosophy of the Douglas MacMillan Hospice beyond the establishment.To act at all times with the highest possible standards of integrity and professionalism, acting as a positive role model inside the organisation and an effective ambassador externally.Professional Responsibilities To comply with the NMC code of conduct at all timesTo be responsible for own professional development Training and Education To attend staff development programmes, training courses and study days as deemed necessary by the relevant Director.To take personal responsibility for attendance at mandatory training,To take personal responsibility for ensuring all competency assessments are completed and reassessed on an annual basis if applicable to roleTo take personal responsibility for identifying any gaps in knowledge / skills and taking appropriate action to rectify thisCommunications and Working Relationships The post holder is expected to foster excellent working relationships with all service recipients, staff, visitors, volunteers and donors. In particular they are expected to deal sensitively with all children, young people and families with whom they come into contact.To act at all times in a professional manner, respecting the need of colleagues and co-operating to maintain a harmonious working environment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Childrens Nurse/ RNCB. ENB 998 or C&G 7307 or equivalent. Childrens Palliative Care experience Staff coordination

Desirable

Paediatric palliative care Degree/Module Evidence of continuing academic progression Non Medical Prescribing

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 4 year post qualification working within the field of childrens nursing Experience of partnership working across agencies including social care, education and the voluntary sector. Experience of working in a skill mixed team of staff Experience of working with children and families with palliative care needs Experience of working with children and young people in a community setting or service Credible clinical experience, with extensive post qualification experience working with children with life limiting/life threatening conditions in an acute, community, residential or palliative care setting. Experience of working competently and confidently with IT equipment and databases. Committed to delivering high standards of evidence based practice. Professional attitude to work with ability to role model appropriate professional behaviours and boundaries Flexible; motivated; creative, can do/solution focussed approach. Committed and confident in sharing own expertise and developing the knowledge and skills of others Commitment to a family led service with respect for parents as the experts in their childs care and a belief in partnership working. Ability to prioritise a busy and complex workload and evidence of completing tasks in a timely manner. Ability to command the confidence and respect of children, families and staff whilst remaining approachable.

Desirable

Considerable managerial experience with evidence of good leadership and organisational skills and record of success in supervision/line management. Experience of implementing quality improvements, audits, risk assessments, developing policy

Additional Criteria

Essential

Awareness of Equality & Valuing Diversity Principles. Understanding of Confidentiality & Data Protection Act. National policies and the wider agenda in relation to children and childrens palliative care Child Protection, safeguarding, consent knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, research and audit. A wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of the needs of Children with complex conditions and their families and the Services available for them Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety at Work. Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory process for these children and their families Knowledge and understanding of palliative care, loss and bereavement for children. IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint) Supporting and supervising junior staff Diplomatic, calm, approachable and objective. Negotiation and problem solving approach Enthusiastic, highly motivated. Possess a positive, assertive, and confident attitude Dress in a manner that conforms to accepted formal codes of business dress Flexible working to meet role requirements Able to meet the requirement of the job role Need to be available to work evenings/weekends Full / clean driving licence, inc access to a car

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of the holistic needs of Children with life limiting conditions

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