Internationally renowned for clinical excellence, The Portland Hospital is the only independent hospital in the UK entirely dedicated to women and children. Our inpatient and outpatient specialties reflect this, providing clinical expertise in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Women`s Health.

The hospital has been consistently growing over the past few years, almost doubling since 2008.

Our Paediatric wards hold 56 inpatient beds + 11 day case and are equipped with the latest technology to provide advanced medical and surgical care, including a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit which reflects the acuity and complex nature of the children who are admitted to our hospital.  The Portland Hospital has a large number of international Paediatric patients, often funded by relevant embassies.

The culture at The Portland Hospital is to provide support, an inspiring environment and positive ways of working to ensure everyone has a better day.  This is accomplished through our core set of ‘Positively Portland’ values that all employees will work to:

Greetings, Respect, Teamwork, Initiative, Responsibility and Acknowledgement

Job Description

As the Paediatric Site Practitioner, you will provide leadership and clinical support to paediatric clinical areas (including in patient, day care and out patients) on a shift by shift basis. Out of hours, you will work as part of the paediatric hospital at night clinical team to ensure a timely and appropriate response to patients’ needs, in liaison with the hospital’s duty manager and RMO’s.

You will also be responsible in ensuring HCA policies and protocols are adhered to, identifying shortfalls and intervening as necessary. This role delivers expert advice and will practice expanded clinical skills within the paediatric department working collaboratively with the multi professional team and liaising as appropriate with relevant consultants.

This is a Full Time position, working 37.5 hours per week.

Salary: COMPETITIVE (depending on experience)

Duties & Responsibilities

• To lead on paediatric site management within agreed policies, protocols and procedures, liaising with the hospital duty manager and senior nursing team where necessary.
• Identify gaps in policy and develop new policy to support practice.
• To co-ordinate the provision of a safe environment for patients, carers and staff in accordance with Health and Safety policy.
• To take appropriate action relating to complaints, accidents and untoward incidents, involving patients, visitors and staff
• Provide a clinically credible paediatric nursing service, demonstrating expert knowledge and clinical skills, as the practitioner responsible for the assessment of paediatric patients’ needs.
• Provide expert advice on issues related to paediatric nursing.
• Liaise with the hospital duty manager and senior nurses to utilise all beds efficiently.
• To provide a senior nursing response in the event of a major emergency.
• Work with the named and designated nurse/doctor/midwife for safeguarding children within the hospital, ensuring that safeguarding issues are managed effectively.
• Facilitate optimal child centred pathways of care for children across all clinical areas, including outpatients, day case, wards, PICU, radiology, theatres etc.
• Assist with the development and delivery of training programmes for nursing and medical staff as required.
• To update own skills and knowledge as required by maintaining NMC registration.
• Assist in the development of research based practice.
• Bed Management and Discharge Co-ordination
• The post holder will manage the emergency and elective admission processes across the paediatric department, ensuring safe and appropriate patient placement

Skills & Experience

Essential

• RSCN / RN child
• Teaching course or Teaching Experience
• Valid APLS or EPLS
• Experience of delivering advanced practice/patient assessment
• Level 3 safeguarding training undertaken within the last 12 months
• Relevant paediatric experience in an acute setting.
• Evidence of significant continuing professional development
• Sufficient to fulfil the duties of the post with any reasonable adaptations.
• Ability to work rotational shifts
• Excellent computer skills

Desirable

• Degree/MSc or equivalent
• Post basic critical care course
• Management / leadership qualification
• Paediatric physical assessment at MSc
• Medicines management or prescribing course
• Teaching hospital experience.
• HDU experience
• Currently involved in clinical practice

About The Individual

As the successful candidate, you will be a strong team leader, with excellent organisational and management skills. You will have the ability to work effectively under pressure and be articulate with advanced written and verbal communication skills. A practical approach to issues along with strong interpersonal skills, are a must.