Children's Asthma and Atopy Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our well-established Children's Community Asthma Team, part of our wider Children's Community Nursing Service. We are seeking a dedicated and innovative paediatric nurse who is eager to develop their skills in the management of paediatric asthma and atopy. Our recently expanded team now also provides support with eczema management. If you are looking for the next step in your paediatric nursing journey, we would love to hear from you Main duties of the job This is a substantive post to support and facilitate the integrated asthma and allergy service throughout the Lewisham borough. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across community care to provide a comprehensive nursing service. The post holder will support specialised nursing care to children with atopy within the community setting. The aim of the post is to deliver community‑based paediatric atopy care that raises awareness, improves care and helps to reduce emergency department attendances, hospital admissions and readmissions and shortens length of stay where appropriate. Support nurse led asthma/allergy clinics. Support the monitoring, auditing and evaluation of the cost effectiveness and quality of services provided in conjunction with the, in order to achieve the best services and outcomes for clients. Support the provision of education and training to staff and clients. Work in partnership with members of the multi‑disciplinary team across acute, primary and community care settings to maintain high quality care and promote practice that is family centered. Work closely with local schools, GP surgeries and community organisations, including pharmacists, to improve children's inhaler use and ensure treatment complies with best practice. About us Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations: Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream 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 with respiratory and allergic conditions Ensure up to date asthma care plans are available for school staff to enable them to manage 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 care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility. Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a child's needs and planning care. To provide advice contributing to the well‑being of the patient and participate in health promotion. Provide advice, education and training to service users, carers and professionals regarding the management and care/support of service users. With support empower the child and family to be confident and competent to implement their care. Advise on individualised coping strategies and make appropriate 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 nursing and midwifery council guidelines and ensure accurate record keeping (RIO system used for client records). Undertake individual risk assessments to support children and families within the own homes Recognise and respond to safeguarding issues as they arise. 2. Management and Leadership High quality care for every patient, every day Raise the profile of the Paediatric Atopy service within other locations and with other professionals Support, enables and develops other staff Critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and personal development programmes To be aware of the National Guidelines in relation to the management of asthma in school With senior staff, participate in strategic planning for the future service provision of the service. Attend meetings as necessary. Ensure that all key targets and key performance indicators are met by working within local and national policies and procedures Support with the management of client caseload Establish and maintain effective communication, formal and informal with primary and secondary care Act as a preceptor/mentor to students and other staff as required Work as part of an integrated childrens community nursing team, providing clinical support when necessary. 3. Research Facilitate a high quality, cost effective service through undertaking research, surveys, audits in connection with own work. With support implement findings to improve patient care and ensure compliance with agreed standards. Utilise research findings to develop new ways of working and disseminate relevant information to staff. Promote the use of research in practice and research-mindedness Assist the Community Children’s Specialist nurses with updating or writing new care 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 based High quality care for every patient, every day. 4. Training Willing to study for a paediatric asthma /allergy qualification or have relevant experience Provide opportunities for others to learn by being an education role model Undertake mandatory training as outlined by Lewisham and Greenwich Healthcare Trust Supervise/assess nurse learners and post basic students With support plan, design, initiate, monitor & evaluate teaching & learning programmes for a variety of professional and voluntary workers including clients, carers, junior staff members, nurse learners and other professional staff when required. Be pro‑active in promoting the health and welfare of clients and families through providing individual care plans, advice and resources that empower families towards a healthier/safer lifestyle. Complete professional portfolio and Revalidation requirements. 5. Financial Demonstrate accountability in the use and management of all resources including financial. 6. Partnerships Communications and Relationships Actively work together with other professionals by communicating with the extended multi‑disciplinary teams within the primary, secondary and community settings. Work alongside professionals from other government & non‑government agencies including the voluntary sector. Communicate to all relevant staff within the Trust on the atopy service ensuring clarity on care following discharge, expected outcomes and follow‑up criteria Actively participate and communicate with Senior Members of the Multi-disciplinary team to promote seamless high quality care for clients and involvement of the appropriate team around the child, coordinating activities and meetings as required. Initiate and negotiate communications with families & carers frequently around complex, emotive and contentious issues regarding management of a child's care in the community. Use appropriate resources as required such as use of interpreters. Communicate effectively with the child and family to gain trust and to support them through the management of both the chronic and acute stage of their condition. High quality care for every patient, every day. General Knowledge in paediatric atopy either through having undertaken relevant qualifications or have relevant experience. Must have clinical assessment skills and competencies and practice must be underpinned 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 regular requirement to use computer software to create reports. The team use RIO for all of their client notes. To provide a high standard of professional conduct and nursing care at all times in accordance 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 RN Child/RSCN - BSc / BSc(hons) Evidence of continuing professional development, short courses. Theoretical & evidence based practice. Diploma in Paediatric Asthma Diploma in Paediatric Allergy. Skills and Abilities Required 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 Familiar with RiO Ability to use research and evidence based findings in practice Experience 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 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. Matron for Children's Community Nursing Service £38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum plus HCAS #J-18808-Ljbffr