Specialist Nurse in Paediatric Palliative Care
This is an exciting opportunity to join the SPACE (Specialist Paediatric PAlliative CarE) service with a practice development opportunity. The post holder will join the team as a Band 6 and with support will work towards the RCN CYP palliative care competencies. This will enable them to develop and transition into a Band 7 role as the postholder becomes competent as assessed alongside the competency document.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will provide holistic care and support to Children and Young People (CYP) with life limiting conditions and their families as a key member of the SPACE service. This care is provided in the community, hospitals and at the hospice; the post holder will be required to work in all settings but will primarily be based at the hospice.
The post holder will provide high quality symptom and palliative care to CYPs under the care of the SPACE service. They will use their skills, knowledge, and expertise in a diverse range of situations, autonomously and as a member of the team. The post holder will work towards being a clinical expert, sound educator, committed researcher and work proficiently.
They will work closely with the SSCH In house and Community team to ensure a seamless and comprehensive service to CYP and their families, and in collaboration with other services providing care and support for the family ensuring excellent communication skills.
They will work closely with the Consultant in Paediatric Palliative medicine at SSCH, contracted GPs for the hospice, Great Ormond Street Palliative Care Team, Evelina Palliative Care Team and the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) Paediatric Oncology Outreach Team. The post holder will form part of the SSCH Community team on call.
About us
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices is a leading children's hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. We support families across Surrey and London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
Job responsibilities
Job purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to join the SPACE (Specialist Paediatric PAlliative CarE) service with a practice development opportunity. The post holder will join the team as a Band 6 and with support will work towards the RCN CYP palliative care competencies. This will enable them to develop and transition into a Band 7 role as the postholder becomes competent as assessed alongside the competency document.
The post holder will provide holistic care and support to Children and Young People (CYP) with life limiting conditions and their families as a key member of the SPACE service. This care is provided in the community, hospitals and at the hospice; the post holder will be required to work in all settings but will primarily be based at the hospice.
The post holder will provide high quality symptom and palliative care to CYPs under the care of the SPACE service. They will use their skills, knowledge, and expertise in a diverse range of situations, autonomously and as a member of the team. The postholder will work towards being a clinical expert, sound educator, committed researcher and work proficiently.
They will work closely with the SSCH In house and Community team to ensure a seamless and comprehensive service to CYP and their families, and in collaboration with other services providing care and support for the family ensuring excellent communication skills.
They will work closely with the Consultant in Paediatric Palliative medicine at SSCH, contracted GPs for the hospice, Great Ormond Street Palliative Care Team, Evelina Palliative Care Team and the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) Paediatric Oncology Outreach Team. The post holder will form part of the SSCH Community team on call.
SSCH care is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The postholder will be required to work flexibly, to meet the needs of planned and emergency care. The post holder will work within a team of Doctors and CCNSs.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Providing professional and clinical support in the provision of symptom and palliative care across care settings for CYP under the care of the SPACE service.
To work in partnership with SSCH Inhouse and Community teams and the wider MDT, demonstrating excellent communication to ensure high quality seamless care for Children and Young people in our care.
Work towards being an expert clinical resource for symptom and palliative care for CYPs, their families and healthcare professionals across care settings. These settings will include hospice, hospital, home, school, and GPs.
Providing support to CYPs and their families where required through community visits to hospital, home, or hospice along with relevant healthcare professionals.
Maintaining an awareness of the multi-cultural nature of the SSCH catchment area, adapting care as culturally required.
Demonstrating a high degree of professional autonomy, using clinical judgement to provide advice.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical
Actively involved with the ongoing development of the SPACE service under the guidance of the SPACE team members, contributing to development through audit and quality improvement.
Providing clinical support and continuity of care to CYPs with symptom and palliative care needs.
Be able to implement, discuss, enact, and share symptom care plans and work towards taking joint responsibility with the consultant for the development of individual and generic symptom management plans in liaison with the SSCH contracted GPs and external nursing/medical providers.
Supporting and educating families with symptom and palliative care needs in conjunction with the Consultant in Palliative Medicine, the SPACE service team, Nurse Consultant, and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Jointly monitoring and evaluating the effects of prescribed treatment, adjusting medication within agreed protocols and in conjunction with the medical team.
Awareness of the process for completion of Advanced Care Plans including resuscitation plans, symptom management plans and ambulance directives liaising with all appropriate stakeholders. Building towards drafting, completing, and disseminating these documents within the team.
Working in partnership with all members of the MDT, encouraging and promoting effective team working from all disciplines within SSCH.
Work in collaboration with the In house and community teams alongside a Band 7 CNS, to facilitate hospital discharges for end of life, compassionate extubation, step down care and symptom management to ensure a smooth transition and excellent liaison. Undertake family and professional meetings at referring hospital as needed.
Coordinating transition to adult services when appropriate in conjunction with the transition coordinator.
Providing educational and supportive strategies to meet the needs of the CYPs with complex symptoms.
Development of self to become a knowledgeable resource for specialist advice and facilitating practice, knowledge, and skill in relation to the specific needs of patients and families receiving palliative care and provide appropriate bereavement support.
Attending relevant outpatient clinics and MDT meetings either with a Band 7 CNSs or independently.
Contributing to the clinics run by the team at the hospices with the Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Care.
Ensuring written communication and correspondence is to a high standard and shared with relevant professionals on contacts with CYPs.
Form part of the community on call provision.
Quality /Audit/Research
Enhancing the interface between the SPACE service and user involvement in the development and effectiveness of service provision.
Working to the SSCH administration of medicine policy and adhering to the NMC guidelines always when giving medication.
Participating in audit with the Clinical Governance Facilitator to maintain and improve clinical care.
In collaboration with the team, producing and reviewing operational policies and procedures specific to the team and wider teams.
Participate within the Morbidity and Mortality meetings.
Participating in the development and review of written information on symptom and palliative care issues provided to families and professionals.
Supporting the research activity of the service through recruitment and data collection on relevant studies where appropriate.
Leadership
Work toward providing clinical leadership for nursing staff within the organisation, ensuring that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills and support to provide excellence in practice when caring for CYP with symptom and palliative care needs.
Attending clinical meetings as appropriate.
Reporting all incidents and accidents in accordance with local policy and take appropriate action as necessary.
Taking prompt and appropriate action on receipt of complaints in accordance with local policy.
Communicating and liaising with the MDT, providing a unified approach to the care of CYPs and their family.
Being expected to take on a specific role within the team. For example, coordinating the teams teaching commitments or written patient information.
Attending specific hospice meetings such as Medicines Management and represent the SPACE service at such meetings.
Actively participating in team away days to support with development of the SPACE service.
Education
Work towards providing education, support, advice and guidance to the care team and external professionals in line with national and local guidance ensuring a cohesive, holistic and evidence-based approach to enable them to deliver appropriate specialist symptom and palliative care to CYPs and their families.
Participating in the hospice and PATCH education programme as you develop skills.
Taking an active role in local and national specialist nurse groups, networking with similar post holders.
Being responsible for your own ongoing education and professional development, to facilitate lifelong learning which complies with the professional educational requirements of your training.
Ensure all mandatory training is up to date.
Professional
Attending SPACE service team meetings and weekly PATCH meetings at RMH (virtual) to present clinical cases for effective communication, professional development, support and integrated working.
Prioritising workload to be responsive to a changeable caseload and being responsive to these referrals or change in patient condition.
Communicating both verbally and in writing the outcome of symptom management visits and consultation with the family and other professionals involved in their care.
Participating in the appraisal and personal development mechanisms available.
To value the knowledge, skills, and expertise of all team members to maintain an efficient and mutually respectful team.
Ensuring that all SPACE / SSCH policies are complied with and that all policy documents are read.
Reporting any equipment, maintenance or safety issues to the Head of Symptom Management and Community Services. To ensure that all SSCH property is well looked after and maintained.
Adhering to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct always.
Meet the requirements of revalidation and ensure continued registration with the NMC.
Valuing and actively participating in clinical supervision and other support opportunities.
Expectation to carry out any reasonable duty as requested by the Head of SPACE or the Director of Care.
Person Specification
Experience
* - Relevant post registration experience at Band 6 in relevant area (Minimum 1 year)
* - Experience of palliative care, end of life care, symptom management or Community care
* - Experience of multi professional working
* - Ability to lead and influence change
* - Experience of teaching
* - Knowledge or experience of bereavement
* - Evidence of advanced communication
* - Previous experience of working in community or hospice settings
* - Experience of audit and research
Qualifications
* Registered Children's Nurse
* First level degree in related topic
* Prepared to work towards MSc level study
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Advanced Communications Skills Training or prepared to work towards
* Willingness to work towards Non-Medical prescribing qualification
* Physical Assessment Skills qualification or prepared to work toward
* Post basic qualification in palliative care / Children's Community Nursing or relevant subject
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.
£38,336.26 to £43,410.17 a year (inc geographical)
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