Senior Staff Nurse, Special Schools

Job summary

Senior Staff Nurse, Special Schools - Band 6

We are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 nurse who has experience in community paediatric nursing, children's continence and working in a special school.

The School Nursing Team deliver health care to children with complex health needs attending Greenmead School in Wandsworth, Perseid School in Merton and Sherwood Park School in Sutton. They are responsible for undertaking health assessments, completing and updating care plans, managing emergency situations and providing training for education staff. They complete records and attend child protection conferences.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will ensure that high quality nursing care is delivered within Greenmead Day School.

The post holder will work collaboratively with other professionals involved in the care of children and young people including therapists, educational staff, school nursing and Social Services to support and empower children, young people and their families, to improve health and give every child and young person the opportunity to develop their full potential.

About us

Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH) provides a range of medical services to approximately 500,000 people living across south west London and north east Surrey.

We serve an area that is rich in diversity, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and differing levels of quality of life. We cover some of the most prosperous postcodes in the country as well as some poorer areas. Together, with our NHS colleagues in Surrey, Sutton and Merton, we work to make sure that we deliver the best possible care to the communities we serve.

Sutton Health and Care (SHC) was an innovative joint venture between local partner health and social care organisations, which sees community services fully integrated to support the delivery of a new model of care for the people of Sutton. Hosted by ESTH, the model ensures the breaking down of traditional organisational barriers to enable the provision of care that is wrapped around the patient.

We pride ourselves in having a highly dedicated team and offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment with a wide range of staff benefits and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our vision and values and can play a crucial role in our ongoing achievements.

Job description

Job responsibilities

General Duties

Develops, promotes and implements integrated working (internal and external) whenever this would improve service delivery options or outcomes for individual children, young people and their families

Ensure that all staff within the team work to SHC and ESTH policies, procedures, standard operating procedures and guidelines within the service area and actively contributes to the proposal of policy or service changes as appropriate

Works closely and collaboratively with the education, health and social care staff

Delegates appropriately to ensure consistent coordinated care

Acts as a specialist practitioner and is a resource to other staff within the department and wider organisation

Leads by example and maintains a high level of professional conduct at all times

Is aware of issues relating to information governance and data security.

Clinical Responsibilities

Be confident and competent in carrying out clinical skills such as administration of medicines and gastrostomy feeds and has experience of working with children and young people with traceostomies

Support the lead clinician for the childrens continence service

Performs effective assessment and plans care according to the identified health needs of individual children and young people and for those accessing the continence service

Review care plans on at least a yearly basis or more frequently if needed

Make onward referrals where appropriate

Attend safeguarding supervision at least termly and additional, where required

Represents the school nursing team in the educational setting

Attend annual educational reviews, child in need meetings, team around the child meetings, professional meetings, child protection case conferences and core group meetings, representing the school nursing team and providing key information to education and social services staff and parents

Comply with infection control policies and procedures in order to minimise and prevent the spread of infection.

Management Responsibilities/Professional Leadership

Ensure team compliance with service delivery according to the commissioned service specification

Support the Team Leader and senior childrens services managers to monitor the staffing budget

Ensure staff comply with their obligation to collect and record data in electronic records in a timely manner

Receive and handle any complaints according to SHC and ESTH policy

Work collaboratively with the risk management department to support practitioners in the identification and management of any risks involved with the service and delivery of care

Ensure all staff comply with the incident policy and ensure that all reported incidents for designated areas are fully investigated

Ensure effective communication systems are utilised

Observe and comply with Trust policies and procedures for health and safety ensuring the environment you work in and are responsible for is safe, clean and tidy

Promote equal opportunities in compliance with Trust policies

Ensure that benefits to children and young people are maximised through careful, economical and appropriate use of NHS resources including equipment, property, budget, time etc

Participate in the audit of services to ensure a high level of service delivery and identify areas of improvement.

Education, Training and Personal Development

Develop and implement local orientation, local induction programmes and preceptorship for any new employees to the team

Ensure you are compliant with statutory and mandatory training whilst maintaining an adequate level of service delivery

Work alongside the Team Leader and senior childrens services managers to ensure all staff are competent and confident in performing clinical skills associated with their role ensuring any poor performance issues are addressed in line with SHC and ESTH policies

Ensure staff participate in reflective practice to ensure effective problem solving strategies within the team

Complete verification for nursing staff undertaking their revalidation in line with NMC guidelines

Ensure student nurses on clinical placements are allocated trained mentors to support the special school nurses ensuring that placements offer developmental opportunities and are a positive experience.

Working Relationships/Communication

Develop and maintain a highly professional and constructive relationship with the education team within the special needs schools

Maintain good communication with children and young people, parents, carers, staff and other professionals at all times and be able to communicate complex information in an appropriate manner to all

Be able to handle sensitive information and act in a tactful manner when there may be a conflict of interest

Have knowledge of alternative methods of communication such as Makaton, PECS, PODD books etc.

Financial Responsibility/Service Delivery

Be responsible for the issue of childrens continence products ensuring the identified needs of the client is met whilst maintaining the specified budget

Support the Team Leader and senior childrens services managers to monitor the staffing budget for the specified service areas ensuring expenditure remains within the allocated budget.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

NMC Registered Nurse (adult, child or learning disability) Mentorship qualification or willing to complete Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

Specialist Practitioner Qualification

Experience

Essential

Minimum 2 years post qualification experience working with children and young people Evidence of working in a multidisciplinary team Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a special school/community setting Previous experience of working with children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities and complex health needs Experience of carrying out children's and young people's continence assessments and providing continence advice to both with and without disabilities

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels Leadership skills Holistic assessment skills Effective clinical and reasoning skills Knowledge of current clinical and professional nursing issues in relation to special needs school nursing Excellent written skills Ability to work as part of a busy health team, prioritising workload and maintaining high standards at all times Ability to manage sensitive information and maintain confidentiality Ability to have complex and challenging conversations Clear understanding of current national and local agenda Ability to demonstrate evidence based clinical practice Ability to maintain professionalism and work within professional boundaries Ability to document concise and accurate clinical records and write accurate clinical reports Knowledge and experience of clinical audit and clinical governance Knowledge of child protection policies and procedures Good IT Skills

Personal Attributes

Essential

Highly developed interpersonal skills Flexible, enthusiastic and able to use initiative Recognise individual rights in line with legislation, policy and procedures Ability to motivate others Receptive to change and adapt positively A 'can do' attitude Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Other Relevant Requirements

Essential

Ability to work flexibly in order to meet the needs of the service Ability to work alone and as part of a team

Desirable

Car driver with full valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes

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