Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice –

1.    Uses key skills of assessment, interpretation, and analysis of findings, utilising clinical expertise and judgement to:

·         Prevent inappropriate hospital admissions and promote effective hospital discharge planning, wherever possible

·         Review patients within the unit, both in the acute and outpatient setting.

·         Provide and co-ordinate support to children and young people with epilepsy, implementing health promotion as appropriate.

·         Teach children and young people, families, and carers to competently carry out specific nursing care and procedures as required.

2.    Provide expert advice and support and be involved in the planning and implementation of patient specific care. Care must be communicated effectively in the form of a care plan which will be developed in collaboration with the child/young person and family.

3.    Assists with planning, developing, co-ordinating and managing service provision for children and young people with epilepsy, supporting colleagues and junior staff.

4.    Is competent in performing advanced clinical nursing skills appropriate to the caseload including:

·         Participating in joint consultant and nurse-led clinics to support the child or young person with epilepsy.

·         Uses clinic-based tools for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of children with epilepsy.

·         Provides direct and telephone advice to children, young people and their parents and carers with respect to seizure control and management, utilising support, and advice from the lead ENS/Consultant when appropriate.               

·         Liaise, where appropriate, with primary, secondary, and tertiary care centres neurological and neurosurgical management.   

5.    Act as an advocate for child/young person and family ensuring that their views are sought and considered when planning care and in the development of services.

6.    Ensure referrals needed are requested in a timely manner and to assist with the coordination of investigations.

7.    Act as an expert and resource by providing age appropriate education and information to the person with epilepsy, their family and/or carers around epilepsy related issues e.g. management of epilepsy, lifestyle and recreation, safety, schools etc. in a timely manner.

8.    To participate in the development of care pathways for the child and young person with epilepsy including transitional care into adult services.

9.    To work within the multi-disciplinary team to attend meetings including child protection to ensure safe and effective care delivery.

10.   Deliver patient care autonomously, consistent with their level of expertise.

11.   Maintains accurate patient records in notes and on clinical systems.

 Education –

1.    To be involved in providing education throughout the unit to both nursing and medical staff to enhance care delivery.

2.    To participate in own clinical supervision needs and that of others within the unit.

3.    To work in collaboration with other health care professionals across organisational boundaries i.e. schools and GP’s to ensure the service meets the patient‘s needs.

4.    Maintains own professional development, skills, and competencies through participation in mandatory training and CPD activities.

5.    Acts as a mentor to pre- and post-registration nurses, assisting in meeting their learning needs.

6.    Contributes to the development of local policies, protocols, and procedures in accordance with local and national standards in relation to specialist area of expertise.

7.    Supports the development of resource materials related to the care of the child with epilepsy and its management.

 Governance -

1.    Practice Development and Professional Development

·         Ensure that nursing practice is in keeping with the NMC code of conduct and standards reflect the trusts policies/procedures and values.

·         To develop links and collaborative working relationships with other services.

·         Remains up to date with current practice and participates in opportunities to share good practice and innovations with colleagues locally, regionally and nationally.

·         Participate in annual performance reviews.