Job summary
The Children and Young People's Sickle Cell Service strives to meet the health needs of the population from birth to 19 years with Sickle Cell Disease across Hertfordshire.
Applications are invited from experienced and motivated Sickle Cell Disease Nurses to provide expert advice, education, support and interventions to Children and young people (CYP) and their families improving care and quality of life. A working knowledge of a varied Paediatric caseload and good communication skills with children and their families are essential. Ability to travel and work in a variety of settings across Hertfordshire.
For informal enquiries please contact Kelly Johnson (Service Manager) via e-mail:
Main duties of the job
Candidates will be registered Children's Nurse with a Specialist Practitioner community qualification.
Applicant will have experience of caring for CYP with Sickle Cell Disease in a community or acute setting and knowledge of how chronic illness affects CYP and their families.
Provide assistant to the Clinical Nurse Specialist for CYP with Sickle Cell Disease in providing professional training at conferences, study days and workshops relating to Sickle Cell Disease for both health colleagues and those working in education and social care.
Act as an advocate through the application of ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills for patients and staff particularly in schools, ensuring CYP receive the understanding and facilities they need to manage their condition.
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff.
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities.
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision.
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages.
You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
You can apply to Access to Work to get money for communication support at a job interview - please use this link for more information:
You need to apply before the interview takes place.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At HCT the success is based on the quality of the services we provide, whether that's on the frontline or in a support role. Everyone in our team plays a vital role in making sure patients receive the care they deserve, as well as maintaining our reputation as NHS trust passionate about the children and community it serves. The sickle cell nursing service is no exception passionate about providing an excellent childrens nursing service to the community we serve.
To be responsible for the management of a patient caseload and have oversight of the clinical care with consultant supervision, providing an expert assessment, plan and evaluation within this specialist area.
To provide advice and support for all staff involved in the care of Children and Young adults with Sickle Cell Disease, focusing on Health promotion and prevention of crisis when it may be achieved.
To act as an advocate through the application of ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills for patients and staff particularly in schools, ensuring they receive the understanding and facilities they need to manage their condition.
Able to communicate sensitive condition related information to CYP and families, in amanner, which is caring, developmentally appropriate and jargon free.
Providing and receiving highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or re-assurance skills are required. This may be because agreement or co-operation is required or because there are barriers to understanding.
To ensure that safeguarding children and safeguarding vulnerable adult principles are always adhered to and contribute to safeguarding processes as required.
Ensure that CYP and their families views are central to the development of the service.
To develop and maintain good working relationships with staff supporting the needs of children with Sickle Cell Disease including paediatricians, GPs, school nurses, health visitors, therapists, education and social care staff.
To manage patient and professional queries over the telephone and face to face asappropriate.
To assist the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease in providing educational programmes for CYP and families in relation to Sickle Cell Disease, so that they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice.
To assist the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease in providing professional training at conferences, study days and workshops relating to Sickle Cell Disease for both health colleagues and those working in education and social care.
To participate in audit activities to assess and monitor the quality of nursing practice in the specialist area and assist in implementing changes based on findings.
To participate in developing protocols and guidance around the management of inpatient care in acute paediatric services and the development of multi-professional standards and evidence based clinical protocols for this specialist area in collaboration with other professional groups.
To take an active part in professional networks to ensure the exchange of knowledge and ideas, both locally and nationally.
To participate in clinical supervision of self and others and utilise reflective practice techniques.
To supervise learners undertaking placements within the Childrens Specialist Nursing Services.
To assess and report any risk, clinical and non-clinical, for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients in line with the Risk Management Policy.
To maintain a high standard of clinical records on SystmOne, ensuring all activity, both direct and indirect patient contact, is recorded accurately, ensuring all supporting documents are scanned onto SystmOne.
To organise own specialist workload, planning activities around the needs of individuals and adjusting daily diary according to priorities as they arise.
To work autonomously without supervision, accountable for own professional actions.
To deputise for the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease as required.
Person Specification
Qualification and Training
Essential
1. Registered Children's Nurse
2. First Degree in relevant subject
3. Community Qualification (Specialist Practitioner)
4. Experience of caring for CYP with Sickle Cell Disease in a community or acute setting and knowledge of how chronic illness affects CYP and their families
5. Experience of teaching and facilitation skills
6. Proficient computer skills including the use of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
7. Ability to travel and work in a variety of settings across Hertfordshire
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
9. Sound knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding processes
10. Experience of joint working together with other professionals
Desirable
11. Experience of working in diverse communities
12. Possess resilience to deal with any distressing and emotional demands of the role
13. Experience using SystmOne
14. Previous experience of research and audit