Children's Allergy Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Paediatric nurse to join our paediatric allergy team at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust. We are a small team consisting of consultants, clinic nurse specialists and dieticians.

Main duties of the job

You will be required to work at both Lewisham hospital and Queen Elizabeth hospital. The post will involve working alongside consultants in the allergy clinics across both sites. The postholder will be expected to support children and families in managing all allergic conditions, including food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema.

When supporting the consultant allergy clinic, the role will involve performing skin prick testing and providing training and education to children and their families on managing their allergic conditions. You will also be undertaking food challenges and supervised feeds. You will be supported in your role by the clinical nurse specialists.

The post holder will work Monday – Friday and will be required to work long days (ending at 6pm) up to 2 times per week on Mondays and Fridays. The team runs some clinics and food challenges at the weekend, and we would expect the candidate to participate in a weekend working rota, up to 2 Saturdays per month, with time off in lieu during the week.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:

• To provide a comprehensive nursing service within a multidisciplinary team to  children and young people with allergic conditions, including: food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema. The post holder will participate in the nursing assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of clinical care, education and support required for allergic conditions across Lewisham and  Greenwich NHS Trust.
• The post holder will work collaboratively with the allergy teams across both sites at Lewisham hospital and Queen Elizabeth hospital.
• The post holder will be working alongside the consultant to see children and families in the allergy clinic in the outpatient departments and the undertaking of food challenges.
• They will be teaching and supporting the parents, carers, children and young  people’s knowledge, understanding and management of their allergic conditions.
• The allergy nurse will be an enthusiastic, flexible individual who is selfmotivated, in their learning and development to join our welcoming and supportive children's allergy team. The capability to work autonomously is essential, as we are a small, friendly team, with a large caseload.
• Following an agreed period of education, training and experience the post holder will work independently and also participate in the training and  education of nursing and medical staff and students. Clinical work will be  guided and supported by the Allergy Clinical Nurse Specialists and the wider MDT allergy team.
• The post holder will assist in the monitoring, audit and evaluation of the  service to ensure delivery of a cost effective service that achieves high  standards of care and the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.