Children's Asthma and Atopy Nurse

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust; Catford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Catford is seeking a dedicated paediatric nurse to support their Children's Community Asthma Team. The ideal candidate will provide community-based care, support asthma clinics, and work collaboratively with local organizations to enhance children's health. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and a passion for paediatric care. Competitive salary offered ranging from £38,682 to £46,580 per annum plus HCAS.

Qualifications

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Experience in paediatric respiratory & allergy care.
• Willingness to teach others.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive nursing service.
• Work in partnership with multidisciplinary teams.
• Support nurse-led asthma/allergy clinics.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Evidence-based practice

Time management

Education

RN Child/RSCN - BSc/BSc(Hons)

Diploma in Paediatric Asthma

Diploma in Paediatric Allergy

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our well-established Children's Community Asthma Team, part of our wider Children's Community Nursing Service. We are seeking a dedicated and innovative paediatric nurse who is eager to develop their skills in the management of paediatric asthma and atopy. Our recently expanded team now also provides support with eczema management. If you are looking for the next step in your paediatric nursing journey, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

This is a substantive post to support and facilitate the integrated asthma and allergy service throughout the Lewisham borough. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across community care to provide a comprehensive nursing service. The post holder will support specialised nursing care to children with atopy within the community setting. The aim of the post is to deliver community-based paediatric atopy care that raises awareness, improves care and helps to reduce emergency department attendances, hospital admissions and readmissions and shortens length of stay where appropriate. Responsibilities include:

• Support nurse-led asthma/allergy clinics.
• Support the monitoring, auditing and evaluation of the cost effectiveness and quality of services provided in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
• Support the provision of education and training to staff and clients.
• Work in partnership with members of the multi-disciplinary team across acute, primary and community care settings to maintain high quality care and promote practice that is family-centred.
• Work closely with local schools, GP surgeries and community organisations, including pharmacists, to improve children's inhaler use and ensure treatment complies with best practice.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those we are here for—the patients. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events to advance five aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities backgrounds, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical

• Contribute to the overall aim of reducing emergency department attendances, hospital admissions and readmissions and shorten length of stay where appropriate.
• With support, receive/make referrals from other disciplines.
• To support specialist nurse-led asthma clinics.
• Assist nursing colleagues in establishing individualised plans of care for patients with respiratory and allergic conditions.
• Ensure up-to-date asthma care plans are available for school staff to enable them to manage children in the school setting.
• With support, undertake aeroallergen skin Prick testing.
• Collaboratively identify areas of nursing practice developments in the specialist area.
• To carry out home visits and, with support, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients with continuing responsibility.
• Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a child's needs and planning care.
• Provide advice contributing to the well-being of the patient and participate in health promotion.
• Provide advice, education and training to service users, carers and professionals regarding the management and care/support of service users.
• With support, empower the child and family to be confident and competent to implement their care.
• Advise on individualised coping strategies and make appropriate referrals for other support if needed.
• Promote long-term concordance with drug regimens.
• Ensure medical needs and instructions are carried out in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council guidelines and ensure accurate record keeping (RIO system used for client records).
• Undertake individual risk assessments to support children and families within their own homes.
• Recognise and respond to safeguarding issues as they arise.

2. Management and Leadership

• Provide high-quality care for every patient, every day.
• Raise the profile of the Paediatric Atopy service within other locations and with other professionals.
• Support, enable and develop other staff.
• Critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and personal development programmes.
• Be aware of National Guidelines in relation to the management of asthma in school.
• With senior staff, participate in strategic planning for the future service provision.
• Attend meetings as necessary and ensure key targets and KPIs are met by working within local and national policies and procedures.
• Support with the management of client caseload and maintain effective communication within primary and secondary care.
• Act as a preceptor/mentor to students and other staff as required.
• Work as part of an integrated children's community nursing team, providing clinical support when necessary.

3. Research

• Facilitate a high-quality, cost-effective service through undertaking research, surveys and audits in connection with own work.
• With support, implement findings to improve patient care and ensure compliance with agreed standards.
• Utilise research findings to develop new ways of working and disseminate relevant information to staff.
• Promote the use of research in practice and in research-minded practice.
• Assist the Community Children's Specialist nurses with updating or writing new care plans, policies, guidelines and competencies.
• Contribute to service development and encourage innovation in patient care.
• Ensure nursing care relating to patients in the speciality is evidence-based.

4. Training

• Willing to study for a paediatric asthma/allergy qualification or have relevant experience.
• Provide opportunities for others to learn by being an education role model.
• Undertake mandatory training as outlined by Lewisham and Greenwich Healthcare Trust.
• Supervise/assess nurse learners and post-basic students.
• Design, initiate, monitor & evaluate teaching & learning programmes for a variety of professionals and workers when required.
• Promote health and welfare of clients and families through individual care plans and resources.
• Complete professional portfolio and revalidation requirements.

Qualifications and Training

• RN Child/RSCN - BSc/BSc(Hons)
• Evidence of continuing professional development and short courses, theoretical & evidence-based practice.
• Diploma in Paediatric Asthma
• Diploma in Paediatric Allergy

Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Experience in paediatric respiratory & allergy care.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice.
• Ability to document client information, nursing actions and clinical observations methodically.
• Ability to handle safeguarding information sensitively.
• Excellent communication with children, young people and families and carers.
• Good teamwork and people skills.
• Willingness to teach others.
• Prepared to work flexibly.
• Enthusiasm for paediatric respiratory/allergy care.
• Holistic approach to care.
• Willingness to participate in family activities promoting peer support.
• Willingness to undertake further training to enhance scope of practice.
• Good time management and ability to prioritise a busy caseload.
• Competent with IT, data collection and internet use; familiar with RiO.
• Ability to use research findings in practice.

Experience

• Experience working with children and families in the community.
• Experience in clinical audit or patient experience data collection.
• Theoretical and practical experience relating to the specialty.
• Experience handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
• Experience in teaching and service development projects.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Matron for Children's Community Nursing Service

£38,682 to £46,580 per annum plus HCAS