Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional and flexible individual to join our In-Patient Unit (IPU) team as a Senior Staff Nurse, to help lead our multi-professional team to deliver an extremely high standard of end of life care to our patients.
Main duties of the job
You will be a true team player, with excellent communication skills and a compassionate approach to care. Youll be motivated to provide excellent patient care using your holistic assessment skills, whilst liaising closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team.Comfortable acting as a mentor, supervisor, and assessor, youll enjoy providing support and a positive learning environment to new and junior staff within the IPU.
Perhaps you have similar experience in palliative or end of life care, or you have transferrable skills gained in intensive or elderly care and youre looking to join a caring organisation which will fully support you as a person and professional to grow and progress in your career.
About us
Our team of specialist nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers and bereavement volunteers work at our Hospice in Esher, and with families at home. They are all experts in end of life care who put compassion and respect at the heart of everything they do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Clinical
Undertakes assessment of the needs of the patient andfamily/carers, and discusses these with other members of the multi-disciplinaryteam as indicated.
Liaises and works closely with the senior IPU nursingteam and members of the multi-disciplinary team to provide specialistpalliative care nursing skills within individualised care pathways.
Implements care based on the initial assessment and ongoingassessments, communicating changes in the patients condition to relevantmembers of the multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrates a positive, realistic and supportiveattitude to palliative care patients to ensure that physiological,psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs of the patient and family are met.
Understands physiological and psycho-social processesthat indicate the need for therapeutic interventions and reacts appropriatelyand safely to the potential outcomes of such interventions. Communicateswith the patient, family/carers, and the multi-disciplinary team, to facilitatecontinuity and consistency of effective care.
Completes documentation relating to patient care andtakes a role in developing and improving nursing documentation.
Assesses the information required by the patient andfamily/carers. Produces and uses appropriate formats to ensure optimumunderstanding of identified holistic care needs.
Enables the patient and family/carers to participate inthe planning of care, where appropriate. Assists with teaching and providessupport in preparation for all palliative care treatment needs.
2. Managerial
In the absence of members of the senior nursing team,and in rotation with other Senior Staff Nurses, takes charge of the In-PatientUnit.
In the absence of members of the senior nursing team,maintains a skilled nursing presence so as to facilitate a team approach fornursing interventions and multi-disciplinary team working.
Helps foster a supportive working environment andmaintenance of staff morale through mutual regard and respect.
Acts as a mentor / supervisor / assessor to providesupport and a positive learning environment to new and junior staff within theIPU.
Is aware of all Hospice policies and procedures andcollaborates with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure thatthese are observed.
Works closely with members of the multi-disciplinaryteam to ensure that clinical standards of care are achieved and participates inthe audit of clinical care.
Promotes a safe clinical environment for all patients,visitors and staff.
3. Educational
Maintains awareness of current advances and research,and uses educational opportunities, to maintain the highest standards ofspecialist palliative care offered to patients and family/carers.
Educates and trains junior members of the team in thedevelopment of specialist nursing skills. Responds to the educationalneeds of members of the multi-disciplinary team by imparting knowledge of thetreatment and nursing care for patients requiring palliative care.
Acts as mentor / supervisor / assessor to students andjunior staff and assists in the assessment of their competencies.
To carry outreview and annual staff appraisals
Develops an area of special interest and knowledgerelated to a specific area of practice and acts as a resource to other nursingstaff with regards to this, teaching as necessary
4. Professional
Ensures own registration with the Nursing and MidwiferyCouncil (NMC), and is aware of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scopeof Professional Practice
Fulfillsrevalidation criteria in accordance with NMC recommendations.
Positively commits to staff appraisal, performance andclinical supervision to ensure personal professional development.
Positively commits to creating a culture on the IPUthat reflects the organisational values
Participates in educational programmes and specificallyattends teaching identified to meet Senior Staff Nurse development aims andobjectives such as leadership/managerial courses.
5. OtherResponsibilities
To undertake any other such duties or general tasks andhours of work as may reasonably be required and to work in other locationswithin the hospice organisation.
Lead by example, exemplifying the Hospice values andbehaviours Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Relevant Palliative Care post registration experience or other relevant experience as a
2. Senior Staff Nurse
3. Experience of leading a team of nurses
4. Experience of mentorship for junior staff
Personal Qualities and other requirements
Desirable
5. Great communication skills, both written and verbal.
6. Ability to articulate in a clear, sensitive manner.
7. Great interpersonal skills.
8. Ability to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment.
9. Computer literate.
10. Willingness to develop teaching and assessing skills.
11. Evidence of developing leadership skills within a multi-disciplinary team.
Qualifications
Essential
12. Registered Nurse with the NMC
13. Palliative care qualification (such as ECEPC)
14. Evidence of ongoing professional development in specialist palliative care
15. Assessors training
16. Evidence of post-registration courses undertaken
17. Diploma or Degree level study
Personal Qualities and other requirements
Desirable
18. Understanding of Hospice philosophy and the structure and nature of specialist palliative care services.
19. Awareness of the concept of clinical supervision and reflective practice.
20. Ability to work well within a multi-disciplinary team.
21. Willing to undertake internal rotation.
22. Flexibility of shifts.
23. Awareness of, and commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of the Hospice.