Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 37.5 hr band 5 Registered Learning Disability Nurse to join the Specialist Children's Short Break Team

NOTE: We are unable to accept applications from newly qualified nurses who have not completed a 12 month preceptorship since qualifying



The service provides overnight short breaks for children and young people with severe learning disabilities and associated complex needs such as behaviours of concern and complex health needs



Working as part of a team of Registered nurses and Health Care Support workers in conjunction with wider multi-agency team such as school, social workers, consultants, specialist nurses, community nurses and parents/carers to meet the needs of the children and young people and achieve positive outcomes for them, supporting families and minimising the risk of family breakdown



The role is very diverse and varied and creates opportunities for developing clinical skills



It supports children and young people to meet their personal hygiene needs, diet and nutrition, communication, religious, cultural needs, health and wellbeing as well as social, sensory needs and developing daily living skills and independence. There are opportunities to support the children to have fun when they are on a short break



If you are compassionate and have a positive outlook and lots of motivation please apply



The service is registered with Ofsted and is rated Good. North Staffs Combined Healthcare Trust is rated outstanding by CQC



To act as a named nurse / care co-ordinator, to be responsible for the assessment of needs and the planning, delivery and evaluation of care for these Patients and to deliver specific interventions according to assessed need. To oversee the nursing care process and to provide direction and supervision to junior staff in meeting patient needs. To provide supervision and leadership in respect of maintaining and developing standards of practice and implementing change.



Key Duties/Responsibilities



To act as named nurse / care coordinator with responsibility for the planning and delivery of care to this patient group.

To act as Nurse in Charge of the clinical area on a regular basis.

To act as a Change Agent and actively seek to develop practice.



As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.



We pride ourselves on ensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.



We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 ( Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk) . As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike. For 2024/2025, we have launched our "Proud to be Green" engagement campaign which is aligned to the targets set out in our Green Plan. As a Trust, you can be assured that we will commit to supporting you in working towards our net zero ambitions, set out in our Green Plan, through our sustainability programme".



The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.



1. Clinical



1.1. To act as named nurse / care coordinator for a group of patients ensuring that appropriate interventions are planned and delivered according to assessed need. To promote a positive nurse patient relationship and to engage with carers / relatives as appropriate. To have responsibility for documenting the plans of care and ensuring that plans remain current and that standards of record keeping are adhered to.



1.2. To administer and manage medicines according to policy and local protocol. To assess patient response and provide advice and education to junior staff and both patient and carers in respect of prescribed medicines.



1.3. Provide support and guidance to junior or less experienced staff in the planning and delivery of nursing care for individuals for whom they are named nurse / worker. To provide support to patients within this group at times when the named nurse / worker is unavailable. E.g. periods of annual leave sickness etc. To take an active role in auditing and maintaining standards of record keeping for this group of patients.



1.4. Maintain the therapeutic milieu, taking a proactive approach, supervising and supporting others in the same. Planning clinical activity in accordance with the needs of the patient group. To take an active role in the clinical programme including facilitation of specific group activities or individual interventions. Participating in forward planning and evaluation of the clinical programme. Having an awareness of how an individual's behaviour and presentation can impact upon the milieu and demonstrating a positive influence through one's own conduct.



1.5. Taking prompt action on changes in condition, liaising with other members of the clinical (Multi-disciplinary) team when necessary, reviewing nursing care and communicating any amendments to the care plan.



1.6. Develop skills in respect of specific interventions that are appropriate to the clinical area, act as a lead in developing nursing practice in relation to this.