About this role
Job summary
Please Note
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the full duration and type of contract offered. The Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
The Paediatric Allergy Nurse will deliver a nurse-led allergy service for children, young people and their families under the supervision of the Band 7 Paediatric Allergy Specialist Nurse, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based care tailored to individual needs.
The post holder will provide professional, high-quality, coordinated and holistic care to children and young people with allergic conditions, supporting the effective management of their condition in accordance with agreed clinical pathways, protocols and national guidance.
The post holder may be required to travel to Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup on occassion.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as a key clinical resource, providing specialist advice, support and education to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals. They will empower children, young people and their families to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to manage their allergies safely and effectively.
The post holder will contribute to the education and development of multidisciplinary team members, promoting allergy awareness and the implementation of best practice across the organisation.
The post holder will independently participate in nurse-led allergy clinics, undertaking comprehensive patient assessments, formulating and evaluating personalised care plans, requesting and interpreting appropriate investigations within scope of practice, and facilitating timely referrals to other services where required.
The post holder will support the ongoing development of the paediatric allergy service through participation in audit, quality improvement initiatives, service evaluation and the implementation of evidence-based practice.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or experience. We value different perspectives and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds to help us reflect the communities we serve and deliver the best possible care.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
Our Continuous Quality Improvement approach drives ongoing improvements to our services and helps us maintain high standards of patient care.
As an NHS employee, you may work with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage staff to keep up to date with COVID-19 and annual flu vaccinations to help protect patients, colleagues, and themselves, supporting our commitment to providing safe, high-quality care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as an advocate for patients, always ensuring their best interests and respecting their moral values, beliefs, dignity and ethics
Manage time effectively and identify priorities of care delivery, whilst always working within own scope of practice and professional boundaries.
Provide holistic patient care by undertaking evidence based assessments, interpreting the impacts of clinical care, whilst including each patients physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual and environmental factors.
Autonomously assess, plan, implement and evaluate care delivered, ensuring timely escalations if mitigations are unable to maintain patient safety.
Under the supervision of the Paediatric Allergy Specialist Nurse, assess children and young peoples health and wellbeing needs in relation to Allergy.
Perform and interpret skin prick testing in accordance with local and national guidelines.
Be trained in and able to manage allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Support oral food challenges and medication challenges in outpatient settings.
Demonstrate knowledge of indications for, and procedures for performing oral challenges.
Advise about allergen avoidance, emergency treatment plans and train children and their families in the use of emergency medication for treating allergic reactions.
Train children and their families in the use of devices such as adrenaline devices nasal sprays and eye drops.
Assess patients during nurse-led clinics and escalate concerns appropriately.
Work throughout the paediatric areas of the hospital such as Willow, Paediatric OPD, ED and PAU supporting the families of children with Allergy conditions.
Liaise with the Safeguarding, multi-professional and multi-agency teams to ensure that the child is safeguarded from harm.
Understand the importance of transition and supporting young people in preparation for care within adult Allergy services.
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with professional registration and NMC pin as a Children's Nurse.
- Educated to degree level in nursing or equivalent experience
- Post registration basic qualification relevant to specialty
- Practice Assessor qualification
- Completion of a Practice Supervisor programme
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Degree in Allergy Nursing
- Completed or willing to undertake a qualification in management of children with Allergy
- Non-medical prescribing course.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Basic knowledge in the management of eczema, including application of topical therapies
- Able to demonstrate clinical knowledge, skills and expertise
- Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage complex situations.
- IT Literate
- Knowledge and skills in the speciality of Paediatric Allergy
- Experience of nurse led clinics
Desirable
- Experience in mentoring and training junior staff
- Knowledge of NHS policies, procedures, and clinical governance frameworks.
- Ability to plan and run nurse led clinics.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in a relevant clinical setting.
- Minimum 2 years' relevant post registration experience in paediatrics at Band 6, or substantial experience at Band 5 with experience caring for children with allergies.
- Experience in managing children and young people with Allergy conditions.
Desirable
- Experience in doing skin prick testing/doing food and drug challenges
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Address
Darent Valley Hospital
Dartford
DA2 8DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)