Paediatric Nurse at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Objective

• The Paediatric Nurse will be responsible for providing family-centred, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-based nursing care for children from infancy through adolescence with a variety of medical and surgical conditions. These include, but are not limited to, respiratory illnesses (e.g., asthma, bronchiolitis, pneumonia), gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, post-operative surgical recovery, and management of acute paediatric emergencies.
• The role holder will also be responsible for the safe administration of medications, intravenous therapies, blood products, and post-operative care. He/ She will ensure delivery of holistic, compassionate care that addresses the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the child while actively engaging families as partners in care throughout the hospital stay.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Specialised Paediatric Medical-Surgical Nursing Care

• Conduct comprehensive age-appropriate assessments (pain, growth, development, respiratory, hydration status) on admission and each shift.
• Administer medications safely using weight-based dosing, double-checking high-risk drugs (e.g., opioids, insulin, potassium).
• Provide post-operative care for paediatric surgical patients, including wound monitoring, drain management, and pain control using non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods.
• Manage common paediatric conditions such as dehydration, fever, respiratory distress, and infections using evidence-based protocols.
• Perform venipuncture, peripheral IV insertion, and maintain central lines (PICC, port, CVC) using atraumatic care principles.
• Document all assessments, interventions, and responses accurately in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Family-Centred Care and Psychosocial Support

• Involve parents/ caregivers in daily care decisions, bedside handovers, and discharge planning to reduce anxiety and improve outcomes.
• Provide developmentally appropriate explanations to children using play, dolls, or visual aids before procedures.
• Support families during difficult news delivery, code situations, or end-of-life care, facilitating referrals to chaplaincy or palliative care.
• Educate families on medication administration at home, recognition of red flags (fever, poor feeding, lethargy), and when to return to hospital.
• Facilitate sibling visitation and normalise the hospital environment to minimise psychological trauma.
• Use interpretation services and translated materials to ensure understanding for non-English speaking families.

Safe Medication and Blood Product Administration

• Calculate and verify weight-based medication dosages independently with a second RN prior to administration.
• Administer blood products (packed red cells, platelets) following strict two-patient identifier protocol, monitoring for transfusion reactions.
• Manage intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement meticulously to prevent fluid overload or dehydration.
• Administer high-risk medications (e.g., chemotherapy for benign conditions, IVIG, biologics) per physician orders and hospital policy.
• Monitor for and respond to adverse drug reactions, including anaphylaxis, in the paediatric population.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of paediatric medication compatibilities and infusion rates.

Paediatric Emergency Response and Acute Deterioration Management

• Recognise early signs of respiratory distress, shock, sepsis, or neurological deterioration using Paediatric Early Warning Scores (PEWS).
• Initiate emergency management for status epilepticus, severe asthma exacerbation, anaphylaxis, or upper airway obstruction.
• Perform Basic Life Support (BLS) and Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) during cardiorespiratory arrest events.
• Assist with emergency procedures including bag-valve-mask ventilation, airway suctioning, and intraosseous needle placement.
• Activate rapid response teams or code blue protocols per hospital policy and participate in post-event debriefing.
• Ensure emergency equipment (paediatric crash cart, defibrillator with paediatric pads, oxygen) is checked daily and ready for use.

Infection Prevention and Control in Paediatrics

• Implement standard and transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) appropriate for paediatric infections (RSV, influenza, COVID-19, gastroenteritis).
• Educate families on hand hygiene, isolation protocols, and proper disposal of nappies/contaminated materials.
• Monitor immunocompromised paediatric patients (e.g., post-chemotherapy, post-transplant) for fever and neutropenia.
• Maintain aseptic technique during central line access, dressing changes, and urinary catheter insertion to prevent CLABSI and CAUTI.
• Adhere to vaccination protocols for healthcare workers and promote catch-up vaccination for eligible paediatric patients.
• Report hospital-acquired infections promptly and participate in root cause analyses.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Continuity of Care

• Participate in daily bedside multidisciplinary rounds with paediatricians, surgeons, pharmacists, dietitians, and therapists.
• Liaise with Child Life Specialists to prepare children for painful procedures or surgery.
• Coordinate with social workers for complex discharges, including medical foster care, home nursing, or medical equipment needs.
• Mentor and supervise junior nurses, student nurses, and new hires in paediatric assessment skills and family communication.
• Communicate handovers using standardised tools (e.g., ISBAR) during shift changes and transfers to PICU or general ward.
• Collaborate with outpatient clinics to ensure seamless follow-up for children with chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy).

Qualifications

Experience and Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
• Registered Nurse with a current license to practice.
• Post-graduate certification in Critical Care Nursing (e.g., CCRN, CCN) highly preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of recent experience as a registered nurse in an adult ICU setting.
• Proficiency in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). PALS certification may be required if pediatric patients are ever admitted.
• Expertise in hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and management of critically ill patients.
• In-depth knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing processes relevant to critical care.
• Proficiency in using ICU-specific equipment, EHR systems, and medical databases.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills under pressure.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and patient advocacy skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress multidisciplinary team environment.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.