Job summary
Inpatient Unit, 30 to 36 hours per week (pro rata salary for part time post)
Would you like to work in a setting where over 96% of service users rate their care as outstanding with minimum registered nurse to patient ratios of 1: 5 throughout the 24-hour period and 1:4 for all staff.
If so, are you looking for an opportunity where you have the time to give patients the care they need and support families and friends, provide excellent individualized nursing care, implement your knowledge and skills, acquire specialist knowledge of symptom control, develop your communication skills and progress your career in specialist palliative care?
We are seeking experienced, dynamic, motivated registered nurses with a passion for delivering the best possible care to our patients to fill this post. You will be a compassionate and positive professional with sound nursing, interpersonal and organisational will become an integral part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team on our 12 bedded in patient unit, providing pain and symptom control, respite care, complex psychological support and end of life care for patients and their families. Most importantly, you must be wholeheartedly committed to and motivated by the strategic priorities and values of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Be responsible for the initial and ongoing assessment of nursing needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of effective care plans.
Act as nurse in charge once competent to so, directly assisting in the provision of a high quality clinical and organisational service. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency and unforeseen circumstances.
Encourage and enable patients to be involved in their care activities and contribute to decisions about them wherever possible.
and will be able to:
Demonstrate their passion to promote comfort, dignity, independence and patient choice.
Demonstrate their ability to ensure the physical, spiritual, psychological, social and cultural needs of patients, and those important to them, are identified and attended to, maintaining the highest level of nursing care.
Use their own initiative and work well under pressure.
Demonstrate an interest in all aspects of palliative care and long-term conditions.
About us
You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team with a collective aim of positively enhancing the lives of the individuals in their care. There will be support and guidance for the right individual through a specific induction programme in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of supporting patients with an advanced life limiting illness. You'll receive a raft of benefits and support, including:
Continuation of NHS annual leave and sickness benefits if currently employed in the NHS. For those not currently employed in the NHS annual leave and sickness benefits will be in line with Agenda For Change practice.
Continuation of the NHS Pension Scheme for existing members or join the hospice pension scheme.
Excellent learning and development opportunities, including preceptorship, induction and development.
Broad range of in-house education and support to attend external training.
A staff support programme including clinical supervision, confidential counselling and occupational health services.
Want some more information before making your decision? We would encourage anyone interested in the role to contact us, come and visit us or arrange for an informal discussion with you prior to your application, please contact Debbie Evans, Ward Manager 01244 851091 ext. 2005.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will contribute and commit to promoting a positive team-based attitude, striving for the highest standards of care and achieving excellence, through continued development and compassion. You will actively engage and train other members of your team, and when instructed you will support senior management in the effective running of the clinical area, creating an environment which allows your team to maximise their ability.
The list below is to outline the main duties involved; however, this is subject to change and will vary within the given role.
We ask all employees to be flexible in their role, to always ensure we are delivering care of the highest standard, encompassing compassion, dignity, respect and integrity.
Clinical Responsibilites
Be responsible for the initial and ongoing assessment of nursing needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of effective care plans, maintaining and promoting standards.
Act as nurse in charge once competent to do so, directly assisting in the provision of a high quality clinical and organisational service. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency and unforeseen circumstances.
Answer and respond to Out of Hours queries via the Hospice Advice Line once competent to do so, in line with their competencies, regional and local guidelines.
Provide specialist palliative and supportive nursing care
Be up to date on specialist palliative and support care practice
Encourage and enable patients to be involved in their care activities and contribute to decisions about them wherever possible
Act as a mentor and role model, lead by example and demonstrate consistent, fair and professional behaviour at all times
Complete organisational competencies within the first 6 months
Be accountable for their actions and omissions in practice and be able to justify decisions made
Demonstrate and maintain good personal management and team organisational skills.
After their probationary period, take on responsibility for a specific aspect of care, acting as an information resource to the rest of the team and ensuring evidence-based care is being provided.
Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times by self and by others
Knowledge and Experience
Passion and motivation to promote comfort, dignity, independence and choice
Cared for patients with advanced progressive disease and supported patients and families at end of life
Able to work on own initiative, with effective time management, whilst also working as part of a team
Experience of taking charge of a ward or managing and delegating the work of others in a community setting on an occasional basis
Current 1st level Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Evidence of recent professional development, ideally including specialist palliative care
Skills and Attributes
Understanding of and ability to deliver a high standard of holistic nursing care in a palliative care setting
Ability to empathise, demonstrate compassion and treat people with dignity and respect
Able to communicate effectively with patients, carers and a variety of health and social care professionals regarding difficult and emotionally sensitive situations
Problem solving skills, and able to work with others to produce workable solutions
Good organisational skills
Utilises reflective practice
Leadership qualities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Registered Nurse. Willingness to study to diploma/degree level and further develop. Evidenced current competency in various clinical skills.
Desirable
2. Nursing degree. Teaching qualification. Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Experience
Essential
3. Post registration experience, specifically working with people living with life limiting illness. Experience of working in a multi- professional team.
Desirable
4. Experience in a hospice, acute or community setting.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
5. Understanding of and ability to deliver a high standard of holistic nursing care in a palliative care setting. Able to communicate effectively with patients, carers and a variety of health and social care professionals regarding difficult and emotionally sensitive situations. Good presentation skills. Problem solving skills, and able to work with others to produce workable solutions. Good organisational skills. Utilises reflective practice. Leadership qualities. Motivated and able to work independently & as part of a team.
Desirable
6. Management skills. Phlebotomy and cannulation.
Other Requirements
Essential
7. Punctual, good health and attendance record. Occupational Health clearance.
Knowledge
Essential
8. Awareness and understanding of the impact of a life limiting illness. IT proficient. Ability to motivate others. Facilitate learning of others. Understanding of current issues within nursing.
Desirable
9. Be familiar with the clinical governance framework. Understand Risk management strategies, quality assurance issues and implications for practice.