As a FSW within the Community Children’s Nursing Team you will have the opportunity to spend quality time with each child or young person enabling you to provide holistic personalised care in partnership with families.
We offer the support of an established, nationally recognised friendly team, who are highly motivated, receptive to change and dedicated to providing a high standard of nursing care.
The postholder will be providing support to children and young people (CYP) with complex and palliative care needs. The post holder will contribute to the provision of family support alongside the volunteer service to parents, carers, CYP and provide practical advice and support to families such as welfare rights advice and benefits. Care will be delivered in a variety of settings e.g. home, school. You will work with a variety of agencies, which may include statutory and voluntary organisations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Expertise & Excellence in Clinical Practice
Work in partnership with the CYP and their family delivering holistic care with the support of the named nurse and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT)Be able to work alone and as part of a team and to prioritise own work.
A commitment to equal opportunities and an understanding of the impact of deprivation and discrimination on communities, families and individuals.
Report any concerns, i.e medical or safeguarding to the named nurse/senior team within working hours and via on call service out of hours.
In collaboration with the CCNT including psychologist and chaplaincy ensure that staff are supported in meeting the psycho-social needs of the families of CYP with medical complexity.
To have an awareness of the impact on families, following diagnosis, breaking of bad news, or unexpected changes in CYPs condition or treatment plans.
Signpost families to appropriate services and appropriate guidance documents e.g. within Social care, within special educational needs and disability team (SEND)and the different specialties within the CCNT.
In conjunction with the named nurse following a comprehensive assessment obtain information, where appropriate, regarding parents/carers financial and emotional circumstances to ensure they receive appropriate support.
Research charitable financial grants and support parents with practical support in the application process. Support the parent/carer in completion of grant applications from charitable and statutory bodies that offer support to children with complex medical conditions.
Ensure that volunteers are supported and debriefed through clinical supervision as per trust policy.
Co-ordinate the volunteer staff within the CCNT to ensure this resource is utilised in the most efficient manner, ensuring their safety/ whereabouts as per lone working policy.
Ensure family support worker and volunteer policies are updated and fit for purpose.
Feedback data into clinical governance meetings within CCNT and wider family health division to inform the development of reports regarding the process, impact and outcome of the family support worker and volunteer roles
Able to work flexibly and within a changing environment.
Management & Leadership
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of each intervention within a 24 hour period using the electronic patient record. Contribute to any other reports required within the CCNT.
Demonstrate sensitivity towards the CYP and their families by respecting the privacy of their home environment and maintaining professional boundaries at all times.
To be responsible for and provide evidence that all mandatory training is undertaken for self and volunteers and up to date as per Trust training matrix.
To oversee the work of volunteers ensuring the correct risk assessments and training is in place to ensure safe volunteer provision.
To have a visible profile within the CCNT for both themselves and the volunteer service to ensure maximum use of this resource.
Assist in the volunteer recruitment process to the CCNT.
Signpost and educate all staff within the CCNT to relevant grants charities etc to ensure awareness of all available resources to support the CCN caseload.
Communication
Establish and maintain effective communication whilst respecting patient confidentiality within the family, CCNT, and the multi-disciplinary team.
Understand the effects of complex and palliative care diagnosis on the CYP and family and develop a supportive role in collaboration with the other members of the CCNT and wider MDT.
Provide a listening service and advocate for the parents/carers of a CYP with medical complexities cared for by the CCNT.
Work in partnership with CYPs and families utilizing effective communication skills to ensure that patients and families feel supported
Encourage parents/carers/CYP to express their opinions, anxieties and fears by working in partnership with them and creating a professional and trustworthy relationship.
Communicate with the multi-professional team and other departments/external agencies on specific needs of a CYP and their families
Education
To be responsible for self and volunteers and provide evidence that all mandatory training is undertaken and up to date as per Trust training matrix.
The post holder will be required to use a computer, either stand alone or as part of a networked system and will be responsible for the quality of the information. The amount of time spent on this type of work will depend on the job.
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust embraces the principle of Improving Working Lives and all staff will be required to follow the standards laid down in this initiative.
The post holder will be required to take part in clinical supervision, an annual appraisal, where this job description will be reviewed, and objectives set.
The post holder must meet travel requirements of the post. To work within a wide range of locations across Warwickshire. The post holder will be required to have access to independent means of transport for work purposes to travel across Warwickshire county and to other areas outside of Warwickshire if the CYPs care requires it.
To ensure all clinical incidents are reported within a timely manner.
To comply at all times with South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust Lone working policy
Quality, Audit, Innovation & Research
Contribute to development and implementation of policies and procedures for the volunteer service and family support worker role.
Keep up to date with relevant developments in CYP complex and palliative care, sharing and disseminating information.
Collaborate with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to develop and update multi-professional Trust operational policies and guidelines.
Maintain accurate CYP records and ensure effective documentation to reflect the activity and delivery of specialist services.
Develop new skills in response to emerging knowledge and techniques.
All staff have a duty to ensure that all relevant manual and computerised data is collected and entered in an accurate and timely manner, ensuring all activity undertaken is accounted for.
