True Colours Paediatric Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a paediatric nurse to work in a secondment for 12 months as a Paediatric and Neonatal Bereavement and Family Liaison Nurse Specialist. As part of role you will support families of babies, children and young people with a life limiting illness and extend to bereavement support when a child dies.

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of a team of nurses to have oversight of paediatric and neonatal deaths within all areas of the organisation including working cross-site with our sister hospital the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley. The role requires the applicant to support the families before, during and after the death of a child.
You will act as a key worker to the family as the single point of contact for the multi-disciplinary team. In line with the death review process, you will work alongside the designated doctor for Child death and other clinical teams to liaise with external agencies such as coroner, police, social care, hospices and charity groups.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description attached for a full description of the role.

Ensure high quality evidence based care is offered to the grieving families by providing practical and emotional support when required in collaboration with the relevant clinical area

Act as an expert resource/advisor to families, siblings and health care professionals, liaising with internal and external agencies where appropriate whilst ensuring visibility within the specialty.

Create a child and family friendly environment, which promotes respect and dignity towards children, families and colleagues, taking into account multi-cultural and multi-faith needs.

To act as an advocate for the neonate, child and carers ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services.

Ensure confidentiality of the neonate, child and family are protected at all times in line with local and national safeguarding policies

Work collaboratively with families, the relevant clinical area and external agencies in the delivery of an end of life care plans. Ensure each caseload has an identified named lead clinician.

To assist in sensitively obtaining informed consent for a Hospital Post Mortem and for the retention of tissue and organs at post mortem in line with local and national guidance.

To ensure relatives and carers are fully informed about the reasons for post mortem including coroners, medical education and research

To provide guidance and support on the return of Tissue and Organs in accordance with local and national guidelines: may involve active participation in ensuring adherence to statutory requirements.

To manage the arrangements to visiting deceased patients by relatives, carers or friends in conjunction with the Trust Bereavement Support Service, Mortuary and Chaplaincy

To liaise with the Trust Bereavement Support Office, Coroner’s Office, G.Ps, Pathologists and Registration Officers in relation to death certification to allow a smooth pathway for the families

Act as a resource to families, siblings and health care professionals to direct them to outside agencies in relation to additional bereavement support as appropriate

To assist and advise the bereaved on the return of certificates, property, registration and other relevant matters

To facilitate counselling and support services for bereaved people including identifying long-term support needs through discussion with the bereaved relatives and making referrals to relevant counselling/support agencies as appropriate both within and outside the Organisation.

To access translation/interpretation services including services for people with communication disabilities using appropriate resources to facilitate this process.

Provide a consultancy role in relation to Child Bereavement Care across Variety Children’s Hospital.

Monitor quality of standards of care, in line with CQC requirements and Trust and Divisional objectives.

To liaise with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) to address any family/carer concerns and ensure they are dealt with quickly and effectively

Person specification

Education, qualifications and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered Paediatric Nurse
• Post registration qualification relevant to area of speciality or Relevant counselling qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Relevant counselling qualification

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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