Head of Naomi House and Paediatric Services

Naomi House is a leading UK children's hospice, providing expert care and support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. We support families through the good days, the challenging days, and the most difficult times of all. To continue delivering outstanding care and to meet the evolving needs of the children and families we support, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Naomi House & Paediatric Services to play a pivotal leadership role within our Care Directorate.

Main duties of the job

• Working closely with the Director of Care (Registered Manager) and the wider Care Leadership Team, you will be at the heart of shaping paediatric hospice services at Naomi House.
• You will help ensure we continue to meet and exceed Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, enabling children and their families to receive specialist, compassionate care in our purpose-built hospice.
• You will provide clinical and professional leadership to Clinical Team Managers and the wider Care Team, actively enhancing and developing paediatric care in line with current research, evidence-based practice and national guidance.
• Maintaining a visible clinical presence, you will champion high standards of care, safety and governance while supporting, inspiring and developing a diverse multidisciplinary workforce.

This role requires resilience, compassion and strength of character. Working in children's palliative care can be emotionally demanding, but it is also profoundly rewarding. The impact of your leadership will help ensure Naomi House continues to provide exceptional care for future generations of children and families.

About us

A comprehensive benefits package which includes flexible working options, 28-days holiday plus bank holidays, group pension scheme (with continuation of NHS pension for eligible candidates), life assurance, HSF Health cash plan, blue light discount, free onsite parking and opportunities for professional development and growth in a modern supportive and purpose-built working environment.

Successful applicants will be required to apply for an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau) and asked to provide satisfactory references covering the last 5 years. A driving licence is essential due to rural location. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Naomi House & Jacksplace are an Equal Opportunities employer and committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and strive to support candidates with additional needs during the interview process. If you require any accommodations or adjustments, please let us know, and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment experience.

Job responsibilities

• To manage the day-to-day care and multi-disciplinary operations provided at Naomi House, in support of the Director of Care.
• To provide clinical leadership to the Clinical Team Managers and Care Team, whilst maintaining own expert clinical practice, ensuring compliance with the policies, procedures and guidelines of Wessex Children Hospice Trust.
• To provide specialist education and training to Care Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Care (as Registered Manager) in fulfilling the requirements of the Care Quality Commission, enabling children and their families to receive specialist care in a purpose-built unit.
• Provide clinical leadership to all members of the Care Team, actively enhancing and developing the provision of care in line with current research and other evidence.
• Together with the Care Leadership Team, manage the resources of Naomi and Jacks in an efficient manner.

Key Tasks

Clinical

• In conjunction with the Care Leadership Team, be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Naomi House, ensuring that all standards set by the Care Quality Commission are fully met.
• Use specialist knowledge acquired through degree or diploma, supplemented by relevant post-graduate training, to influence, advise and update all areas of practice/care plans.
• Provide expert paediatric nursing advice to all members of the Care Team and others as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Practice Education Team to provide teaching advice concerning all aspects of the care of children and young people with life-limiting illness and palliative care needs.
• Take a lead in the training for Safeguarding.
• Participate in on-call arrangements.
• Be responsible for the development and ongoing review of designated clinical and care policies, procedures and guidelines, ensuring that the Care Team deliver evidence-based child-oriented care.
• Provide functional and clinical leadership to Clinical Team Managers and all members of the Care Team.
• Undertake clinical practice reviews, appraisals, supervision and mentorship, facilitating the monitoring of practice and development of individual Care Team members.
• Write up and supply clinical reviews and case reports for all outside agencies as requested for children at Naomi House.
• Attend Clinical Committee in order to provide a nursing view for new referrals, and to contribute to the clinical governance and policy approving functions of this group.

Managerial

• Ensure effective and efficient management of daily operations and care provided at Naomi House.
• Deal with complaints, incidents and errors, and ensure that these are reported and actioned in accordance with the relevant policies.
• Responsible for influencing service development, in-house education, and provision of specialist training in own area of interest (e.g.: cardiology; neurology; oncology).
• Deal with all staffing problems, including sickness absence and disciplinary issues as necessary.
• Be responsible for aspects of the budget as agreed with the Director of Care, particularly ordering of office supplies, medicines, care team disposables, and domestic requirements, taking an overview to ensure that resources are wisely used.
• Provide leadership advice and guidance, and carry out annual appraisal as well as regular review of performance.
• Take part in recruitment for nursing posts and advise Clinical Team Managers on interview technique and other HR-related issues with support from the HR department.
• Ensure that all policies relating to safe practice and care are strictly adhered to.
• Provide service-related management information as required, for example to Senior Leadership Team, Board, or external agencies.
• Ensure that clinical policies and protocols are reviewed and updated regularly.

Personal

• Adhere at all times to the NMC Code of Professional Practice.
• Work closely with other departments regarding the running of Naomi and Jacks, particularly supporting the income generation or publicity efforts of the Trust, including speaking at public events.
• Participate in clinical duties as required, maintaining a visible presence on the unit.
• Be available for emergency support and advice, referring to the Director of Care as necessary, ensuring that procedures are followed appropriately.
• Be responsible for own personal development maintaining up-to-date knowledge of paediatric/adult and family care as related to the work of Naomi and Jacks.
• An enhanced with barred list DBS disclosure will be required for this role.

Person Specification

Values

• An understanding of the principles of equal opportunities as it relates to staff and children/young people, and able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting equalities.
• Able to demonstrate behaviours which meet Trust values: People focus, Pride, Ambition.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of relevant guidance/NMC/local policies to support clinical practice.
• Clear understanding of professional accountability.
• Good understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policies and procedures.
• A working understanding of Clinical Governance and Care Quality Commission standards.

Criteria

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to cope with stressful situations and support staff in this.
• Personal grief/loss resolved sufficiently to perform and cope in an environment that has likely exposure to bereavement concerns.
• Willingness to work flexibly and adapt to changing service needs.
• Able to lead work independently, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Drive for improved outcomes for babies, children and families.
• Enthusiasm, professionalism, positivity and good work ethic.
• Ability to cover on call including weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Knowledge and experience of various physical and mental health conditions associated with children with life-limited diagnosis and palliative care.
• Understanding of the impact on the child of living with a disability and on families caring for a child with complex needs.

Skills

• Ability to gather information quickly, make decisions and communicate appropriately.
• Ability to manage own time and workload effectively.
• Ability to support and supervise junior staff.
• Provide functional and clinical leadership.
• Competent clinical skills based on current best evidence, to include: medicine management; IV therapy; symptom management; respiratory support including invasive and non-invasive ventilation; nutritional care/enteral feeding; neurological care/seizure management.

Experience

• Experience of effective collaborative working with professionals from other agencies and disciplines.
• Evidence of budgetary management, recruitment, complaints and incident management.
• Experience of clinical audit.
• Evidence of change management, leadership and innovation.
• Experience of line management of clinical staff including appraisals and sickness/absence, and performance management.
• Relevant experience of caring for babies and children with highly complex care needs and disability.
• Experience of holistic assessment and individualised planning of care.
• Experience of working with babies and children with palliative care needs.
• Experience and good understanding of clinical supervision and reflective practice.

Qualifications

• RSCN/RN Child.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• REGISTERED ADULT NURSE with valid up-to-date registration with NMC.
• Education to degree or Masters level.
• Palliative care course.

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.