Job summary
We have exciting openings for Nurses (Child or Learning Disability) to join our team.

We are looking for Band 5 nurses with experience of caring for children with complex needs and their families. You will need to provide a flexible approach to care, with excellent clinical and communication skills.

Working for the Alexanders Care Team offers a unique opportunity to provide holistic care and support to children with a life threatening and life limiting conditions and their families across the geographical area supported by Alexander Devine, either at home, in hospital or in our hospice which is located in Maidenhead.

Main duties of the job
This is an outstanding opportunity where you will benefit from extensive training and development, clinical supervision, and a full induction period within a supportive and rewarding organisation.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer generous annual leave, access to a pension scheme (NHS Pensions if you are currently in the scheme), private medical insurance, and life assurance. You'll also enjoy free on-site parking and the benefits of our Employee Assistance Programme.

For an informal discussion please call Emma McKeever, on 01628 822777.

For an application pack, please email fayd@alexanderdevine.org

Enhanced Disclosure checks by the DBS will be undertaken for successful applicants. ADCHS is an equal opportunities employer.

About us
Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service (Alexander Devine) is a local charity that provides specialist care and vital support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and into surrounding counties.

We individualise our approach to meet the unique clinical, emotional and practical needs of each child and their family, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support. Our comprehensive range of care services include Respite care, Specialist play, Symptom management, Family support, End of life care and Bereavement support. We provide care from our childrens hospice in Maidenhead as well as in the family home and across the community, including hospitals and schools.

Our hospice facilities offer opportunities for children and their siblings to experience fun, joy and adventures, and help families make precious memories for as long as they have. These include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, music room, games room, outdoor playground and sensory garden, six childrens bedrooms and two self-contained family flats. We also have a dedicated bereavement suite with its own garden.

Job responsibilities
Working as part of the Alexanders Care Team this post is to provide holistic care and support to babies, children, young people (BCYP) and their families with a life threatening and life limiting condition and their families across the geographical area supported by Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service.

The post will involve a flexible, responsive approach to care delivery, contributing to a 24/7 rota by the Alexanders Care Team. The post holder will support the care of BCYP providing palliative and end of life care in the childs home or other community setting and in the hospice, working both autonomously and in collaboration with other agencies.

Clinical:

• Holds own defined caseload.
• Communicates to the highest standards complex, sensitive information effectively and empathetically to BCYP, their families and the wider public.
• Completes and maintains up to date records in line with principles of best practice.
• Actively supports the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of safe, effective and high quality care.
• Supports care understanding the wider care package working with other agencies.
• Supports families throughout the care pathway including initial diagnosis and discharge planning form hospital to community.
• Works flexibly to support appropriate interventions where there may be escalation of symptoms or family difficulties.
• Checks and administers medication to children in the community and hospice in line with ADCHS Administration of Medicines policy.
• Works flexibly to support responsive 24/7 rotas, for emergency, end of life and bereavement care.
• Works effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Acts on clinical incidents pertinent to area, to reduce clinical risk.
• Is familiar with ADCHS safeguarding policy and report any concerns accordingly.

Please refer to the attached job description for comprehensive information regarding the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations associated with the position.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RGN or RSCN or RN (Child) or RN (Learning Disability) at degree or diploma level.
• Evidence of continual professional development and education.
• NMC Registered.

Desirable

• Relevant course in palliative or end of life care.
• SSSA qualified.

Other
Essential

• Car driver - vehicle available for working.
• Flexible working hours contributing to 24/7 rotas.
• Commitment to the mission and ethos of Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service.
• Able to work within and uphold our core values : determined, empowering, valuing others, integrity, nurture and empathy.
• Ability to work alone and as a member of a team.
• Able to assess risk to maintain personal safety in a variety of settings.
• Ability to cope with the physical demands expected of the role e.g. shift work, moving and handling, clinical and caring procedures.
• Good IT skills.
• Enhanced DBS.
• Passed fit to undertake the duties of the post by Occupational Health.

Experience
Essential

• Relevant years post registration experience.
• Experience of needs assessment/care planning.
• Experience of Caseload management.
• Experience of caring for children and families with complex health needs.

Desirable

• Experience working in community setting.
• Caring for children at the end of life and post death.

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates ability to place the BCYP and family at centre of care.
• Evidence of basic clinical skills such as medicines management, enteral feeding etc.
• Excellent personal and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational ability.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Creative, resourceful and imaginative.
• Excellent role model.
• Ability to critically analyse research and evidence based practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding.
• Familiarity of systems for quality control, clinical governance and clinical audit.

Desirable

• Evidence of advanced clinical skills, such as LTV, Tracheostomy and syringe drivers.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

ADCHS is an equal opportunities employer.