Paediatric Allergy & Asthma CNS

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is the lead nurse for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes for care for patients with complex allergies using agreed guidelines and protocols in conjunction with the multi-professional team.

Responsible for performing and interpreting skin prick testing and reporting the results to the multi-professional team. Alongside teaching and training colleagues this procedure.

Responsible for performing and interpreting spirometry results, liaising with the multi-professional team on treatment plans as necessary. Alongside teaching and training colleagues this procedure.

Responsible for educating families using evidence based practice, ensuring this is relevant and up to date.

Responsible for performing food challenges using agreed protocols. Treating patients undergoing food challenges who have allergic reactions/anaphylaxis according to agreed protocols.

Teaching updates on allergy and anaphylaxis for the Paediatric nursing directorate.

Actively supporting research studies within the Allergy service.

Teaching anaphylaxis management to families, consultants and carers using evidence based practice ensuring this is relevant and up to date.Participation in MDT meetings on and off site as required

Working acutely on the paediatric wards during busy periods or where resilience is needed.

Develop and implement a positive transition programme for young people with allergies.

Work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team to develop and conduct Allergy Clinical Nurse Specialist clinics.

Prescribes within trust policy for non-medical prescribers as outlined in the Trust`s prescribing policy.

Take an active part in developing the business plans for the paediatric allergy service.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive clinical experience across a broad spectrum of paediatric specialities
• Ability to practice within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• Experience of caring for children and young people with allergies.
• Extensive experience of autonomous working
• Experience of working in specialist clinics • Managerial experience within a Children's Outpatient setting

Desirable criteria

• Standard setting and audit
• Experience of writing for publication
• Experience of supervision of junior staff

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding the principles of disease related paediatric allergy
• Presentation skills
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times

Personal Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to actively listen to patients and families • Ability to teach children, parents and professionals
• Ability to give complex, distressing information using a variety of age appropriate styles with sensitivity.
• Leadership skills
• IT skills
• Awareness of research and audit • Analytical skills
• Confident in Paediatric Skin Prick Testing and management of anaphylaxis

Desirable criteria

• Advanced communication training

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RSCN/RN child or equivalent MSPP or equivalent
• Paediatric Allergy specific training 1 (PAT1) RCPCH
• Tier 3 Asthma training

Desirable criteria

• Masters Degree
• Non medical prescribing or working towards
• BSACI Member

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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