Clinical Nurse Specialist for Children with Sickle Cell Disease

at  Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Are you an experienced and motivated Children’s Nurse with a passion for working with Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease and their families? The Hertfordshire Children and Young People’s Sickle Cell Service provides a countywide, community-based service aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life for all CYP with Sickle Cell Disease on the caseload. We are seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our caring and compassionate team acting as an expert resource for patients, families and professionals.
The Children and Young People’s Sickle Cell Service strives to meet the health needs of the population from birth to 18 years with Sickle Cell Disease across Hertfordshire. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be responsible for the maintenance and development of high-quality clinical nursing practice within an autonomous and highly specialised role, improving care and quality of life to those in their care. This will be achieved through clinical practice, management, education, research, audit and professional activities taking into account current best practice guidelines and Trust strategies and objectives.
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• To take the lead on clinical care in the management of a patient caseload with consultant supervision, providing an expert assessment, plan and evaluation within this specialist area.
• To provide leadership, direction and clinical advice to patients, families and professionals, on all matters related to Sickle Cell Disease within Children and Young People (CYP), 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 a manner which is caring, developmentally appropriate and jargon free.
• To ensure that safeguarding children and safeguarding vulnerable adult principles are adhered to at all times and contribute to safeguarding processes as required.
• Ensure that CYP 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, GP’s, school nurses, health visitors, therapists, education and social care staff.
• To manage patient and professional queries over the telephone and face to face as appropriate.
• To participate in 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 coordinate training for carers based on the CYP’s individual health care needs and record educational activities in a manner which allows the service to be audited appropriately.
• To provide 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 ensure HCT guidelines, policies and procedures in relation to the management of Sickle Cell Disease are evidence based and up to date.
• To be able to understand and interpret information requiring use of judgement involving complex facts and/or data which requires analysis, reporting and audit.
• To lead in collaboration with Consultant Paediatricians in acute paediatric services in developing protocols and guidance around the management of inpatient care and participate in 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 Children’s 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 Service Manager for Children’s Specialist Nursing Services as required.
• To represent the Children and Young People’s Business Unit at meetings as required, providing feedback from these meetings.

Please refer the Job description for details