Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job Summary: Provide advanced level symptom management, care and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and complex health care needs living in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and North East and West Essex as part of the EACH Symptom Management Nursing Service. Participate in an on call rota, triaging telephone calls and undertaking face to face visits to deliver the symptom management service across the whole EACH catchment area as required. This 24/7 service also provides support for children and their families at home and clinical leadership advice and support to children receiving core hospice services across EACH. The team, consisting of 12.5 wte (nurses and matrons), acts as a point of contact for symptom control and management issues for professionals and teams within the regional managed clinical network (MCN); and with the increasing capacity within the tertiary based Specialist Palliative Care Team (RAaFT) Responsibilities As an autonomous practitioner provide holistic and evidence based advanced level nursing care to children and young people with complex palliative care, pain and symptom control needs as an integral part of the EACH multi-professional core service teams, MCN and Regional Specialist Childrens Palliative Care Team.
Undertake clinical assessment / consultation using face to face, telephone and virtual IT methods as required. Manage a caseload within the EACH catchment area. Act as a point of contact for symptom control and management advice for children and young people across the continuum of care in the full range of settings (home, hospital, hospice, school, residential placement). Develop and maintain specialist level palliative care knowledge and skills across a range of procedures and practices including medicines management.
Participate in the 24/7 on call rota, triaging telephone calls and undertaking face to face visits to deliver the symptom management service across the EACH catchment area as required. Additional hours worked when on call are paid over contracted hours. Work collaboratively with the on call medical practitioners in the MCN / Specialist Team who provide specialist level telephone advice to the service outside office hours. Collaborate with all members of the EACH multi-professional team, MCN / Specialist Team to coordinate safe discharge for end of life care.
Provide clinical expertise, advice, support and training opportunities to health, social care and education sector professionals throughout EACH and the Region to ensure a coordinated multi disciplinary approach to the provision of palliative care for children and young people. Develop, review and evaluate comprehensive symptom management plans, coordinating and supporting their implementation and use within EACH core service teams and the Region. Provide clinical advice, expertise and support for care coordination teams in EACH and undertake a lead professional role when agreed with the multi-disciplinary team within the MCN and Specialist Team. Act as an independent prescriber within scope of professional practice (those with relevant qualification).
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended as necessary. It is intended as a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post. Professional Responsibility Act as a positive role model providing clinical nursing leadership across EACH and the MCN, leading and managing change throughout the hospice sector as required. Fulfil professional clinical supervision and continuing professional development requirements.
Keep up to date with professional developments in nursing and paediatric palliative care. Develop an awareness of own personal responses in relation to the maintenance of a safe environment and identification of potential risk for all personnel, babies, children, young people, families and significant others. Advocate for and support parents, babies, children and young people. Education & Governance Activities Participate in management supervision and annual appraisal ensuring challenging objectives are set and achieved and a personal development plan is agreed.
Participate in group clinical supervision with CNS across the tri-site. Adopt a reflective approach to personal practice to learn from experience and professional challenge. Develop, participate in and deliver training within the EACH education and training programme and other MCN / regional / national / international training events as required. Participate in relevant clinical governance activities such as audit and service evaluation within EACH and the MCN, leading when required.
Participate in student placement programmes where appropriate, providing mentorship as required. Provide statistical information as required.