Paediatric Nurse in Gloucester

James Hopkins Trust nurses are special people who make a huge difference to the families they are involved with. It is a real chance to provide truly family centred care and get to know the whole family you are supporting. You are self-motivated and can work independently or as a team player supporting the senior nurses in creating and maintaining a caring, supportive and safe environment for the children you look after. You will be a key person in a family's life, regularly talking to them about their children when they bring their child to James Hopkins Trust for respite or when you visit them in their own home to provide respite. You will have an insight and understanding of the issues facing families where there is a baby or young child with a life threatening or life limiting condition. The kindness, compassion and exceptional family centred care you will deliver and demonstrate will give them the strength and courage to manage the complex needs of their child.

Main duties of the job:

• Actively encourage a family atmosphere at Kites Corner.
• Recognise the skills and experience of the family in meeting the individual care needs of their child, working in partnership with them to provide holistic care.
• Ensure all medication is accurately and safely administered, recorded and stored.
• Provide care to the child during the agreed period of respite.
• Attend, as necessary, multi-professional meetings or similar for the child/family as agreed by the Nursing Management Team.
• Facilitate outings, play and activity that is appropriate to the age and development needs of the child.
• Safeguarding of children is everyone's responsibility; you are expected to pass on any child safeguarding concerns to the appropriate manager.
• Maintain confidential, accurate and timely records.
• Ensure that the cultural needs of the children and families are met appropriately.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, privacy and dignity at all times.

About us:

We are proud to have been able to provide free nursing respite care to hundreds of life limited and life threatened young children and their families for over 30 years. We are the only registered charity in Gloucestershire to provide this level of care, day and night, either in the family home or at Kites Corner, our multi-sensory respite centre and gardens. James Hopkins Trust nurses are passionate and care deeply about the children and families they help. It is a unique environment to work in, filled with love, kindness and people who strive to make magic memories with the children and families every day. The small team is supportive of each other, allowing for a great work/home life balance.

Job responsibilities:

As a proactive member of the Nursing Team, you will assist in creating and maintaining a caring, supportive and safe environment for the children you look after. You will work in partnership with the children and their families who are eligible to use James Hopkins Trust's services. You are self-motivated and can work either independently or as a team player, responsible for supporting the senior nurses with the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care provided to the children you are accountable for. In the absence of a senior nurse, you may be required to manage and co-ordinate the care of children accessing respite care provision at Kites Corner whilst on shift. You will welcome the opportunity to reflect on/assess your practice and competence through existing audit processes and regular supervisions to ensure you provide outstanding and safe care, demonstrating compliance with CQC regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Actively encourage a family atmosphere within Kites Corner.
• Contribute positively towards the maintenance of a child and family focused environment.
• Use a systematic and individualised approach to plan care of the child and family.
• Assess, maintain and evaluate agreed standards of care in partnership with family carers and the child.
• Ensure all medication is accurately and safely administered, recorded and stored.
• Give total care to the child during the agreed period of respite.
• Identify and follow the child's care routine and established pattern of care.
• Attend multi-professional meetings as necessary.
• Ensure regular contact with the Nursing Management Team regarding changes in a child/family circumstance.
• Facilitate appropriate outings, play and activities.
• Maintain awareness of the diversity of families supported by James Hopkins Trust.
• Ensure professional boundaries are maintained.

Professional Development:

• Work within your own professional competence and expertise while adhering to the NMC Code of Conduct.
• Take advantage of training opportunities to further develop your skills.
• Maintain professional registration with the NMC.
• Keep a Personal Professional Profile updated.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of issues required to deliver quality palliative care.

Communication:

• Encourage the philosophy of James Hopkins Trust with acts of kindness.
• Liaise closely with all professionals and volunteers working with the child and family.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in other meetings as appropriate.

Health and Safety:

• Adhere to infection control guidelines and policies.
• Undertake risk assessment and management.
• Be aware of all Health and Safety issues and adhere to policies.

Person Specification:

• Registered Children's Nurse RNC or RN with Paediatric Experience RGN/RSCN.
• Live entry on NMC Register.
• A paediatric palliative care qualification.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain boundaries.
• Flexible and used to working on own initiative.
• Proven experience of communicating sensitively in challenging situations.
• Team mentoring/supervision experience.
• Ability to travel independently around Gloucestershire.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.