Paediatric Allergy CNS

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Clinical Responsibilities

1.1 To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for children and young people with atopy and their families, actively seeking evidence-based practice to achieve both good clinical and individual developmental outcomes. This includes assisting with the assessment and care of acute hospital attenders, inpatients and children requiring outpatient or community care as part of the multidisciplinary team.

1.2 Carry out skilled nursing care, efficiently utilising available resources and evaluating the effectiveness, providing clear and concise documentation.  This will include the reporting and recording of any changes in the child or their family and initiating action as required.

1.3  Facilitate family centred care by providing accurate and appropriate information and support to families, involving them in all aspects of care.

1.4  With appropriate education and training develop appropriate clinical skills for example in health promotion, teaching and assessing families, advanced respiratory assessment, spirometry, skin prick testing, food /drug challenges, and administration of sub-cutaneous and sub lingual immunotherapy.

1.5 Attend and support consultant, GP, nurse and dietetic led allergy clinics in hospital and community settings.

1.6 Assist with the timely admission and discharge of children requiring hospital treatment.

1.7  Work flexibly across the paediatric service when clinically indicated to ensure urgent care is promptly and effectively instigated.

1.8 To assess and advise in the management of children within their home or school environment, who are experiencing disease management problems.

1.9  To undertake other relevant duties and tasks arising from the work of the paediatric allergy team as requested by the senior Clinical Nurse Specialist or in their absence the Senior Clinical Nurse on duty.

1.10       Liaise and communicate with the multidisciplinary and interagency professionals across primary, secondary and tertiary care to ensure ongoing support and care of children. Participate in staff and multi-disciplinary meetings as required.

1.11       Ensure effective communication to nursing colleagues and across the multidisciplinary team. Ensure information is properly disseminated and documented and adequate feedback obtained.

1.12       Adhere to all Trust protocols, policies and clinical guidelines and also contribute to their development, updating and evaluation.

1.13       Be aware of the social and emotional needs of the children and their families and responds effectively to individual’s stress and concerns, seek further expert support for families as required.

1.14       Contribute to the reporting planning and monitoring of children’s safeguarding and child protection needs.

1.15 Be computer literate and have current knowledge, or a willingness to become competent in the computerised systems used in the organisation  eg Careflow, EDIS, RIO & Anglia Ice.

1.16 Provide support and guidance for parents and carers as appropriate, including child protection issues.

1.17 Maintain nursing records in accordance with NMC Guidelines.

1.18 Participate in evaluating the quality of the service and nursing practice, through the mechanism of clinical audit and patient experience feedback.

1.19 Participate in clinical research and service development projects in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.

1.20 Work collaboratively with the allergy CNS team and wider MDT to develop and deliver a children’s and young people’s immunotherapy service within Whittington Health allergy service.

1.21 Work collaboratively with the allergy CNS and day care nursing team to deliver, develop and maintain the safety of the food and drug oral challenge service in our day care setting.

2.             Managerial Responsibilities

2.1          Work closely with multidisciplinary members of the atopy team, including dietitians, nurse specialists and medical staff to promote effective and timely patient care and good working relationships.

2.2          Deputise for the senior Clinical Nurse Specialists when requested.

2.3          To be responsible to the senior clinical Nurse Specialist for all aspects of work, or in their absence, the named senior clinical children’s nurse on duty. This will include support and guidance in planning and prioritising daily clinical commitments.

2.4.     Act as an effective role model and practitioner to junior staff.  Promoting and maintaining effective, professional communication at all times.

2.5     Exercises professional accountability in line with the NMC code of Professional       conduct.  

2.6     Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs according to the      Whittington Hospital Policy and NMC guidelines.

2.7     Be the child’s advocate at all times.

2.8     Inform the Senior Nurse on duty/ Matron of any activity which affects patient    care.

2.9     Ensure that all agreed Trust and Directorate policies, procedures and         standards implemented are adhered to and maintained.

2.10     Supervise and support qualified and unqualified staff, particularly in the delivery of the food/drug oral challenge service in the daycare unit.

2.11     Provide support, guidance and counselling to junior nursing staff as      appropriate.

2.12     Report risks, accidents and complaints according to Trust Policy

3.0 Education Responsibilities

3.1 Assist in the ongoing education of children and their families about their condition and care. Ensure families have access to appropriate health care resources.

3.2 Assist in ensuring learners and junior staff receive adequate supervision, teaching and support. Act as a mentor/ preceptor for learners and other junior staff as appropriate.

3.3 Act as a role model and an educational resource for both nursing and other primary and secondary care professionals caring for children with allergic conditions across the organisation.

3.4 Participate in induction/orientation, and appraisal of junior staff, helping them to achieve specific objectives.

3.5 Participate in clinical teaching of nurses, doctors and students and the organisation and delivery of study days with the senior Clinical Nurse Specialists and MDT allergy team.

3.6 Attend training days and courses as nominated, providing feedback to the nursing team.

3.7 Ensure own professional development and specialist knowledge is developed, and maintained by keeping up to date with changes in evidence based practice through attending clinical supervision , clinical update opportunities , study days and research publications.

4.0 Professional

4.1 Maintain a professional manner at all times.

4.2 To be dressed in a professional manner, in line with the Trust’s uniform policy.

4.3 Act in an appropriate manner in all emergency procedures.

4.4 To observe the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.