Children\'s Community Nurse #1144 in Stoke-on-Trent

Dougie Macs Childrens Services team provides holistic care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. We deliver care and support children from birth to age 16 with symptom control, respite, emotional support, and end-of-life care. Our care is child-led, developmentally appropriate and delivered by a team of skilled paediatric professionals with compassion, creativity and expertise.

The Childrens Community Nurse works as an autonomous practitioner, responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for children, young people and their families within the community. The role involves working in partnership with a range of professionals and agencies to deliver coordinated, child- and family-centred care. In addition, the post holder provides specialist advice and guidance to colleagues and external agencies, particularly in relation to childrens palliative care, supporting high-quality care across services.

Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life‑limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. As a values‑driven organisation, we strive to deliver high‑quality, person‑led, and inclusive care across our inpatient, community, and supportive care services. Our team is made up of dedicated, skilled professionals who are committed to delivering responsive and meaningful care in line with our hospice values. We offer a collaborative working environment with access to professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing support.

Job responsibilities:

• Train and assess competence of Care Support Workers in the community.
• Act as a role model within the team, motivating staff and setting an appropriate example.
• Contribute to the training, education and support of a range of both medical and nursing students on clinical placement with the Trust.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate plans of care for children in partnership with children, parents/carers and other professionals.
• Provide effective care, treatment and management within the hospice and/or community setting.
• Ensure all documentation is complete and kept up to date in accordance with Trust policy.
• Liaise with healthcare and social care professionals across organisations to ensure an integrated package of care and support designed to meet the specific needs of the family is delivered and co‑coordinated.
• Ensure care is delivered to predetermined, recognised national standards.
• Work in partnership to actively involve parents/carers and children in the implementation and evaluation of care plans.
• Provide information for children, young people and families, giving clear ongoing information as the child's illness progresses, ensuring that parents are facilitated to maintain control and make informed decisions relating to the care of their child.
• Recognise and manage the potentially distressing effects of working with terminal illness, maintaining personal resilience while accessing the support, guidance and resources available through the.

Qualifications:

• Registered Childrens Nurse/ RNCB (A) ENB 998 or C&G 7307 or equivalent (A)
• Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes (A)

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-year post qualification working within the field of childrens nursing (A)
• Experience of working with children with complex needs (A/I)
• Competent delivery of core nursing clinical skills (observations, clinical competence, empathy and compassion, critical thinking) (I)
• Experience of partnership working across agencies including social care, education and the voluntary sector (A/I)
• Experience of working in a skill mixed team of staff (A/I)
• Experience of working with children and young people in a community setting or service (A/I)
• Experience of working with children and families with palliative care needs (A/I)

Additional Criteria:

• Good verbal and written communication skills (A/I)
• The ability to carry out a wide range of clinical skills (I)
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team (I)
• Planning and organisational skills (I)
• Awareness of the national guidance and policies relating to children (A/I)
• Knowledge of safeguarding and consent (A/I)
• Able to define own personal boundaries and professional behaviours (A/I)
• Effective communication/ inter-personal skills (I)
• Compassionate and respectful approach (I)
• Demonstrate a positive, confident attitude (I)
• Ability to prioritise and use own initiative (I)
• Supportive of others at all levels of the team (A/I)
• The ability to adapt to change (A)
• Ability to motivate others (A/I)
• To be able to meet the requirements of the post
• Flexible working to meet shift requirements
• Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role
• Knowledge of the needs of children with life‑limiting conditions (A/I)
• Awareness of health & safety or infection (A/I)
• Experience of audit or research (A/I)

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.