Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

1.       To communicate information and breakdown barriers to understanding for clients, family and significant others.

2.       To utilise appropriate resources to ensure understanding has been achieved.

3.       To communicate effectively with the children and parents/carers to explain clinical issues.

4.       To use appropriate communication techniques when dealing with children who may present with challenging behaviours.

5.       To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with health and other professionals to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary package of care.

6.       To communicate assessment and observations with regards to learning disabilities and associated needs to all relevant professionals involved in the care of the child/young person.

7.       To provide advice to clients, carers, other professionals and groups to promote understanding of the Paediatric Learning Disabilities Service.

8.       To demonstrate effective inter-professional working practices that respect and utilise the contributions of multi-agency professionals.

Knowledge, Training and Expertise

1.       To complete assessment of children with learning disabilities and additional needs, which is evidence based, systematic, accurate and relevant.

2.       To develop, implement and evaluate appropriate episodes of care, treatment based on best available evidence, within a framework of informed consent.

3.       To contribute to the training of students and junior staff.

4.       To adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct and work within the Scope of Professional Conduct Guidelines as per Nursing and Midwifery Council.

5.       To undertake Continuous Professional Development including clinical supervision activities, in order to enhance knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed for safe, effective and evidence based practice.

6.       To participate in the staff appraisal and Personal Development Plan.

7.       To keep up-to-date and develop knowledge with other professionals.

Professional:

1.       To support the co-ordination, planning, implementation of the services within the community, taking into account the changing needs of the service users and the organisation.

2.       To be aware of and act in accordance with agreed policies and procedures of he organisation.

3.       To support the day to day management of the team.

4.       To provide advice and support to team members working with Children with Learning Disabilities.

5.       To contribute to the development of policies and procedures in relation to the delivery of the service.

6.       To participate in peer supervision, using critical appraisal and reflection to ensure that own practice is evidenced based.

Planning and Organisational:

1.       To accept clinical responsibilities for a designated caseload, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.

2.       To plan and deliver group/individual activities as appropriate.

3.       To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics as required.

4.       To be aware of Health and Safety Practice, to work to organisational policies and to promptly report and record incidents/accidents as appropriate.

5.       To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to contribute to the reviewing process.

6.       To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Service Manager.