Health Care Assistant, Special Schools

To work as a member of the special school multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members as appropriate and in accordance with confidentiality and information governance requirements. To maintain accurate records by accessing and updating the electronic patient record system (currently Rio), and to undertake filing and administrative duties in accordance with Whittington Health NHS Trust policies and procedures. To ensure that accurate, up-to-date written and electronic records are maintained in line with Trust standards, with guidance and support from the supervisor. To respect the individuality, values, cultural backgrounds, and religious beliefs of children and their families, contributing to the provision of a service that is responsive and sensitive to their needs. To assist team members in liaising with agencies involved in a child's care, including Education Services, Social Care, and voluntary sector organisations. To develop and maintain professional relationships with children, families, and school staff, communicating in a manner that respects individual views, autonomy, and cultural differences. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and tools to communicate effectively with children and young people who may be non-verbal, have English as an additional language, require an interpreter, have a hearing impairment, or have cognitive, learning, behavioural, or emotional needs. To liaise with relatives, carers, and other professionals involved in a child's care, as appropriate and under the direction of senior team members. To promptly report any concerns, incidents, or issues to the clinical lead or line manager in accordance with Trust procedures. To communicate effectively by telephone and other communication methods with parents, carers, schools, and external agencies. To support the Special School Nurse in the planning and delivery of programmes of care for identified children and young people. To provide care and support for children and young people with complex health needs, including assisting with the administration of medication, gastrostomy feeding, implementation of healthcare plans, and health promotion activities across school sites, following appropriate training and competency assessment. To arrange appointments with parents/carers for school medicals, dietetic appointments, professional meetings, and other health-related reviews as required. To provide nursing care and undertake healthcare activities following appropriate training and competency assessment by the School Nurse. This may include administering gastrostomy feeds, supporting children in accordance with epilepsy care plans, administering prescribed medication, and undertaking other delegated healthcare procedures. To undertake health screening procedures, including vision, hearing, and growth assessments, and to record and interpret measurements using appropriate growth charts and percentile calculations. Any concerns identified through screening, or raised by the child, parent/carer, or school staff, should be reported promptly to the School Nurse. To support the planning, organisation, and delivery of immunisation sessions within the school setting, in accordance with local and national immunisation guidelines. To assist in undertaking environmental and clinical risk assessments and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for children, young people, staff, and visitors, under the guidance of senior team members and in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. To monitor and report any changes in a child's health, wellbeing, or presentation to the School Nurse or other appropriate healthcare professional. To ensure that all clinical activities are carried out in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, infection prevention and control procedures, and safeguarding requirements.