Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, flexible individual to join our children's specialist nursing team. This is a band 6 role for a fixed term period of 18 months. The successful candidate will work alongside our established Epilepsy Specialist Nurses to provide care and support to children and their families across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

You should have extensive post-registration experience of coordinating care for patients within this specialist field. The role will involve managing your own caseload.

You must hold a full driving licence and be able to meet the travel requirements of the post.

Informal enquiries and expressions of interest are welcomed by Laura Hayden-Duck, Matron Paediatrics.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be part of the STSFT Children's Specialist Epilepsy Nursing team which operates from sites across Sunderland and South Tyneside area. You will work collaboratively with other health care providers in ensuring cohesive care for children and families, particularly supporting and overseeing transition to adult services. The post-holder will hold a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for assessing, developing and delivering care pathways for the child/young person. The role will involve managing your own caseload. You will be supported in your development, including training and educational opportunities beneficial to your role.

Family Care is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to supporting flexible approaches to work wherever possible for our people. Please enquire to see how we might work flexibly with you in this role.

If you are interested in becoming part of our fantastic team then we would welcome your application.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

A specialist nurse is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary role is to provide care, guidance and support which is based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.

The specialist nurse will:

1. Work as part of the multidisciplinary team under the direction of line manager/Matron.
2. Continue to develop advanced knowledge and skills within the specialist sphere of practice.
3. Support with the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients under the direction of the line manager/Matron.
4. Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field through the use of evidence-based practice and in line with agreed national standards, and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
5. Work as an autonomous practitioner within their sphere of practice.
6. Continuously improve clinical standards in line with the clinical governance framework.
7. Exercise accountability as set out in the NMC Code.
8. Contribute to training and education within the specialist area.
9. Provide specialist clinical advice and support to patients and clinical staff within the Trust on the management and care of patients within the specialist area.
10. Provide direct access for patients, either face to face or telephone consultation.
11. Represent the service nationwide in the absence of the line manager/Matron.
12. Play a key role in ensuring that national and local standards/targets for the specialist area are met.
13. Manage and lead nurse led clinics in relation to reviewing patients and play a key role in optimising complex treatment regimes, facilitating hospital discharge and preventing avoidable hospital admissions.
14. Support and undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist practice.
15. Comply with the Trust's vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of care delivery.
• Experience of the specialism, which would normally be gained through working at Band 5.
• Evidence of leading a team.
• Evidence of leading innovation in practice.
• Evidence of leading change management.
• Evidence of practice development.
• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients.
• Budget Management.
• Participation in recruitment and selection process.
• Experience in conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence.
• Experience in implementing quality frameworks.

Knowledge & Skills

• Basic IT skills.
• Understanding of contemporary nursing issues.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of how to facilitate learning.
• Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues.
• Knowledge of research and clinical audit.
• Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
• Venepuncture, cannulation and IV drug administration.
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post.
• Time management.
• Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care.
• Qualification in specialty.
• Counselling and appraisal skills.

Physical Skills

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
• Carrying teaching equipment such as laptop, stationary etc.
• Manual dexterity and up to date working knowledge of equipment e.g. syringe drivers, infusion pumps etc.

Qualifications

• Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree or evidence that currently working towards this (UK equivalent).
• Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Clinical skills accreditation or willingness to complete.
• Leadership and Management Course.
• Basic knowledge of financial management.
• Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete.

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust