Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.     As an autonomous practitioner, manage a caseload of children with continuing medical/nursing care needs, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating individual programmes of care to meet their continuing needs in the community, take advice from clinical lead for generic care if required.

2.     In conjunction with the team manager accept referrals of children with specific care needs in accordance with Children’s Community Nursing protocols.

3.     Liaise with Paediatricians and other multi-disciplinary/agency staff to organise or participate in discharge planning meetings facilitating an early and efficient transition from hospital to home and effective continuity of care.

4.     Prioritise and undertake visits to children and their families at home or other appropriate settings, to undertake nursing tasks, monitor health, and provide ongoing support and advice.

5.     Participate in the multi-disciplinary team in the implementation of complex care packages for children in the community.  Disseminate knowledge through report writing and review, ensuring clinical accuracy and reliability for any information shared.

6.     Instruct parents/carers on clinical/nursing skills such as enteral/parental feeds, passing naso-gastric/gastrostomy tubes, tracheostomies, suctioning, naso-pharyngeal airways, emergency medications, drugs: oral, injections & infusions.

7.     Perform nursing procedures as above, access and manage central lines and totally implantable venous access devices and administer intra-venous (IV) drugs at home and within the child’s educational setting.

8.     Identify child/parent learning needs and modify approach accordingly, developing strategies and tools for learning.

9.     Identify social care needs including protection from abuse and refer to Social Services as indicated.  Produce health assessments in conjunction with the Framework for Assessment, provide reports for and attend case conferences and court as indicated.

10.  Initiate, lead and co-ordinate multiagency meetings.

11.  Contribute to the maintenance of high standards of care by developing evidence-based protocols and guidelines and ensure they are introduced into all care settings, including homes, schools and other community settings; as well as inpatient services as appropriate. 

12.  Develop and maintain an in-depth specialist knowledge of conditions that effect children on caseload.

13.  In conjunction with the manager assess the need for and organise where necessary supplies of equipment and ensure families/carers are trained in their use.

14.  Liaise with multi-disciplinary staff to facilitate the smooth transfer from paediatric to adult services.

15.  Use problem solving skills to prevent health deterioration and reduce hospital admissions.

16.  Update your specialist knowledge to ensure that your area of specialty is evidence based and in line with government documents.

17.  Using judgement skills autonomously admit child to hospital if appropriate.

18.  Provide health education/promotion in a sensitive and tactful manner.

19.  Within specialist role attend / run clinics, monitor ongoing physical, medical and pyscho / social condition of the child, reporting to the Consultant where appropriate in order to expedite treatment changes.

20.  Mentor nursing students on placement with team ensuring they receive appropriate education to meet their competencies.

21.  Be prepared to undertake non-medical prescribing as appropriate.

22.   Maintain a clean and safe environment, ensuring appropriate use / maintenance of equipment.

Please see attached JD & PS for further details.