Clinical Nurse Specialist for Paediatric Neurology
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
We are looking for a highly experienced, knowledgeable Nurse with proven experience working with children and young people with neurology conditions. You would work closely with all members of the MDT to provide comprehensive follow-up, in nurse-led clinics and joint clinics supporting the multidisciplinary management of patients diagnosed with epilepsy.
Main duties of the job
The Paediatric Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will provide expert clinical care and a supportive advisory service to children, young people, and their families, including those experiencing fits, faints, and seizures. The role involves the implementation of NICE guidelines and participation in the Epilepsy 12 audit, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based practices in the care of children with neurological disorders.
A key aspect of the role is providing follow-up care, developing structured pathways for patients, and facilitating communication through email and telephone contacts. The post holder will liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and serve as a specialist resource to healthcare professionals across both acute and primary care settings, ensuring comprehensive care for patients.
Alongside a team of Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialists, the post holder will additionally manage a caseload of complex epilepsy patients, offering education, support, and guidance on the management and treatment of complex seizures. The CNS will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support the development of the secondary and tertiary neurology services across West London Children's Healthcare, contributing to the expansion of treatments available to patients with complex seizure presentations.
Job responsibilities
1. To receive referrals within the specialty from the health care team and respond to requests for expert advice and guidance.
2. To work within an agreed job plan to meet service needs which should be reviewed annually.
3. To conduct holistic assessment and provide supervision & guidance to colleagues in skilled history taking, physical examination, observation and ordering, conducting and interpreting relevant tests and investigations.
4. To work in collaboration with the multi-professional team, contributing expert, evidence-based knowledge and skills to relevant aspects of the patients' care and treatment.
5. To maintain boundaries of own practice within agreed guidelines and protocols, use professional judgment in managing complex and unpredictable situations and seek guidance from other relevant experts.
6. To address patients' risk factors and health promotion needs through comprehensive assessment of individuals for risk factors and early signs of illness.
7. To build an environment of trust and rapport, enabling patient empowerment in their healthcare and acting as an advocate for the patient in treatment decisions and choices.
8. To draw upon an appropriate range of multi-agency and inter-professional resources to ensure that patients receive appropriate services, making referrals to other professions and services as appropriate.
9. To use effective communication and interpersonal skills to provide information, explanation and reassurance to patients and families.
10. To plan and conduct appropriate follow-up, closure or transition of care for the patient.
11. To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of patients' assessment, care and treatment.
Leadership and Collaborative Practice
1. To provide advice, guidance and support to own and other professions to enable best practice in care and treatment within area of expertise.
2. To work collaboratively with colleagues, patients and families to seek their views and to develop and improve practice and the service.
3. To continually evaluate and develop own role and competencies to meet the evolving needs of patients and the service.
4. To develop networks and collaborative working across professional and organizational boundaries to develop, integrate and coordinate care.
5. To support and contribute to delivering the wider Trust agenda as directed by the Chief Nurse and the Trust Senior Nursing and Midwifery Council.
6. To participate and contribute to National objectives.
Improving Quality and Developing Practice
1. To develop valid and reliable methods to continually evaluate and audit own practice and service outcomes, identifying, interpreting and acting on audit outcomes.
2. To maintain records of activity including clinical coding, maintain appropriate documentation and participate in audit of documentation, clinical activity and outcomes.
3. To use and develop information systems to support decision making and improve care.
4. To maintain knowledge of contemporary epidemiological, demographic, social, political and professional factors relevant to the specialist area of practice.
5. To use a reflective and questioning approach to practice, identifying potential opportunities for clinical or service changes.
6. To maintain awareness and application of relevant research and evidence-based practice relating to area of clinical expertise and profession practice.
7. To identify and respond to gaps in evidence and/or practice knowledge, and to contribute/lead in research/audit/practice development.
8. To enable the sharing of new knowledge and developments with others.
9. To facilitate and enable change at individual and team levels to improve practice and health outcomes, monitoring and evaluating the impact of resultant changes in practice.
10. To continually assess, monitor and act on risks in own and others' practice through risk assessment.
11. To ensure the appropriate and effective use of resources to ensure both cost effectiveness and quality.
12. To participate in business and service development including activity and income generation.
Developing Self and Others
1. To participate in review of own practice with colleagues from own and other professions thorough case review and clinical supervision.
2. To develop and provide patient education and information which is appropriate and responsive to individual needs and level of development.
3. To participate in the development of evidence-based protocols, standards, policies and clinical guidelines.
4. To evaluate knowledge and practice, identifying learning opportunities and continuing development through appraisal and personal development planning.
5. To maintain a personal portfolio illustrating evidence of competence and continuing development.
6. To support colleagues in their learning and application of theory to practice through assessment, teaching and clinical supervision.
7. To contribute to wider education and development programmes in external organizations.
8. Contribute to the dissemination of knowledge through publication and presentation.
Communication
* Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
* Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
* Sound knowledge of the principles & practice of specialist care
* Ability to manage change, both personally & as a facilitator
* Computer literate: able to use word, email, excel and manage databases
* Experience of handling clinical incidents & complaints
* Excellent problem solving skills
* Understanding of professional and current issues in children's nursing
* Child protection procedures
* Awareness of current NHS issues & appreciation of the issues surrounding governance & quality initiatives.
* Previous experience of research and audit
* Ability to lead change/ innovations in specialist practice
Education and Qualification
* Registered Nurse (Child)
* Evidence of ongoing, continuing professional development within pediatric care linked to demonstrable clinical competences
* Relevant Degree in nursing/midwifery or health related field
* Recognised teaching qualification eg ENB998
* Specialist qualification eg British Paediatric Neurology Association Paediatric Epilepsy Training Level 1 & 2 (or willingness to work towards)
Experience
* Relevant post-registration experience working as an experienced Band 6 (+2 years)
* Excellent relevant Paediatric clinical skills
* Understanding of legislation and practice of SEND
* Extensive proof of working with children and young people in the community
* Experience of partnership working with external agencies and organisations
* Involvement in clinical audits and clinical governance
* Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
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.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum incl. HCAS
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