Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Neurodevelopmental Practitioner of any discipline to join the Neurodevelopmental Team, within Developmental Paediatrics at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. We would welcome applications from Occupational Therapy, Specialist Teachers , Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Specialist Nurses and Social Workers.



The practitioner will be based in the newly launched Neurodevelopmental pathway. This is a full-time, permanent position. The Neurodevelopmental service consists of clinical psychologists, assistant clinical psychologists, paediatricians, neuro-developmental practitioners, speech and language therapists, healthcare assistants, a physician associate and administrators.



At Alder Hey we are a commissioned ASD and ADHD Diagnostic Assessment service for Children & Young People aged from 2 years to 18 years from Sefton, Liverpool and Knowsley. We are looking for a dedicated practitioner with good clinical skills and experience relevant to working with children and young people. The successful candidate should possesses strong interpersonal skills and personal qualities which will support them to work with children, young people and families in sensitive situations from a diverse range of backgrounds; and to communicate effectively with a range of professionals, including the police and social care. Experience of working with children in care and those who have experiences ACES is advantageous.



The post holder will be required to undertake assessment and diagnostic activities for children and young people referred to the Developmental Paediatric Service with suspected ASD or ADHD.

The post holder will:

Work as a member of the Developmental Paediatric Team, providing a high quality assessment and support to patients presenting for diagnostic assessment for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).



Work autonomously within professional guidelines and support the systemic governance and development of practice within the Developmental Paediatric Team for patients and their families.



To utilise skills assessment, audit, and policy and service development as required.



Work independently and also as part of a team.



Work with clients in their own homes and in clinics and schools in order to assess and support children, young people and family's needs.



Alder Hey has already earned our place as one of the world's leading children's hospitals, thanks to innovation and pioneering medical work. We treat 250,000 young patients a year and have a broad range of hospital and community services, serving the local population of children, as well as being a tertiary referral centre for children from across Merseyside, Cheshire and parts of Lancashire, Shropshire and North Wales. Every individual makes a valuable contribution and Alder Hey is proud of its long history of providing pioneering and innovative healthcare to children and young people. The post holder must adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures at all times.



The Trust is committed to carefully screening all job applicants to ensure the safeguard of children and to an environment that promotes equality and embraces diversity. The trust operates a flexible working policy.



As black and minority ethnic (BME) employees are currently under-represented in this area, we particularly welcome applications from members of our BME communities. All appointments will be made on merit.



The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and operates a no smoking policy.



Main duties and Responsibilities

Skills:

Managerial



The post holder will be required to manage their own workload in a timely fashion and to bring to the attention of the ND Lead Practitioner any problems encountered with workload.



The post holder will be required to undertake risk assessments and to have knowledge of health policies and procedures.



Analyse and respond to situations arising in school, home and clinic settings.



To be responsible for managing client appointments.



Leadership



To participate in the induction and training of new staff and pre-registration students.



The post holder will be required to have a designated workload and be responsible to their clinical supervisor.



To identify and develop good practice and reflect upon own care delivery.



Clinical



Under the direction of the ND Lead Practitioner, conduct assessments, home visits, or virtual clinics o support, assess and identify problems.



To report back to the ND Lead Practitioner following any contact with children, young people and families.



To undertake height, weight and blood pressure monitoring when necessary.



To deliver public health promotion both opportunistically and planned.



To promote the importance of play and stimulation to encourage positive behaviours through interaction with parent, child and others.



To provide information and guidance in relation to accident prevention, home safety and safe play.



To deliver planned programmes of advice and support in respect of children and young people under direction of the ND Lead Practitioner to other agencies.



To be involved in clinic duties when necessary



Monitors and evaluates standards of care and reports to ND Lead Practitioner.



Non-Clinical



Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records in line with Trust policies.



To be responsible for the maintenance of equipment.



Supports implementation of service by preparation of materials and administrative/resource based tasks associated with delivery of service.



To be able to use a variety of information resources.



To be involved in the maintenance of databases.



To attend meetings and in-service training as required.



To be involved in the development of the service.



To work in accordance with safeguarding children policies.



To be involved in teaching and support in a one-to-one or small group setting.



Co-operate and work effectively with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team and community services to ensure continuity of care.



Be cost effective in the use of resources.



Flexibility in working will be required to meet the needs of this post.



Training and Education



To ensure update of knowledge in accident prevention.



To attend mandatory training, meetings and study sessions as required.



To regularly review personal skills and training needs and ensure deficiencies are reduced.



To maintain accurate personal records and to participate in Knowledge Skills Framework and professional development review.



Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trusts Health & Safety arrangements, reporting accidents / incidents to the nurse in charge / team leader, and initiating a full investigation in a timely manner, whilst taking responsibility to complete appropriate documentation.



Accept responsibility for own professional development.



To actively participate in the Trust KSF and supervision arrangements.



Clinical Governance/Research and Audit



To ensure that data is collated in an accurate and timely manner to allow resources to be used effectively and inform planning of services.



To demonstrate evidence based approach to practice and maintain a high quality to the service.



To contribute to the evaluation of the service provision in order to ensure that it is appropriate, accessible and acceptable to all children and their families.



To identify incidents and accidents both clinical and non-clinical initially, and following discussion with line manager to be reported.



To be involved in children, young people and families participation and feedback of service provision.



Contribute to the accuracy of statistical returns.



Maintain an awareness of clinical and professional developments in nursing and participate in nursing research to enhance patient care.



Communication



To ensure effective liaison and communication is undertaken initially with ND Lead Practitioner/other ND Clinical staff.



To be aware of safeguarding procedures and their application to workload.



To maintain strict confidentiality and a professional manner at all times.



To create and maintain positive professional relationships with children, young people, families and other agencies.



To communicate effectively and participate in clinical meetings.



To communicate effectively with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.



To use wide range of communication methods e.g. email, telephone face-to-face and written methods.



To adapt communication methods according to the needs of the client group.



Clinical Responsibilities



To participate in specialist assessment of children referred with Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD/ASD and to implement and evaluate interventions agreed with the care giver and the child in accordance with best practice.



To develop and maintain support and after care of services for children and families where there is a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD.



To regularly meet with Clinical supervisor to discuss and plan patient care.



To develop networks with other professional agencies and to act as a link between the clinic and other agencies.



To provide advice, support and training to Health Visitors, School Nurses, Educational Staff, Patient care for those children with Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD/ASD behavioural difficulties which require management.



To work autonomously and to be accountable for own professional judgements and actions.