To work as a member of a hospital based specialist palliative care team, as part of the wider primary and secondary multidisciplinary teams and the independent sector to ensure a cohesive, holistic and research based approach to the management of palliative care patients. Constantly practices autonomously by assessing and effectively prioritising referrals to the service in order to deliver patient focused appropriate care in the context of a whole service approach. Provide a specialist and holistic palliative care assessment of patients and their carers needs following referral which realistically minimises physical symptoms and the social financial emotional and spiritual implications of the disease process. Provides highly specialist care and advice for patients and carers and assists the multidisciplinary team in delivering and evaluating the interventions plan of care reviewing and amending this care as appropriate Frequently acts as a primary resource for site-specific specialist nurses nursing medical teams and the multi disciplinary team. Regularly assesses patient for inpatient admissions to specialist palliative care level 2 bedded units Has admission rights to palliative care inpatient unit in liaison with Consultant in Palliative Medicine. Frequently initiates and participates in highly sensitive and complex communication issues with patients carers nursing medical teams including pre-bereavement support advice and imparting life changing news eg a terminal illness. Regularly reviews and develops appropriate patient documentation in line with Trust policy and Department of Health recommendations. To offer a nurse prescribing service to palliative care patients in line with Department of Health and Acute Trust guidelines which will reduce patient and carers distress by being able to prescribe immediately and appropriately in response to patient needs. Uses a palliative care database that includes patient registration clinical details and interventions that are shared with the community palliative care team the consultant in Palliative Medicine the Primrose Hospice and the inpatient palliative care unit. To participate in a 7 day palliative care visiting service that includes weekends and bank holidays. Constantly acts as a resource for information on specialist palliative care within the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust disseminating evidence based knowledge and skills to clinical staff at levels. Educates patients and their carers in the understanding of their illness treatments and provides other sources of information help and support. Plan and coordinate formal and informal educational programmes to involve all aspects of generic and specialist palliative care within the acute and community trust and for other agencies eg The Primrose Hospice St Richards Hospice. Participates in county wide palliative education initiatives and development eg the Palliative Education Strategy. Provides placements mentorship for professionals studying palliative care oncology at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Develops and produces written information for patients carers and professionals on palliative care services. Ensures clinical effectiveness by critically appraising current research and applying it to practice. Develops and participates in appropriate nursing and medical research. Regular audit of issues relevant to current service provision, reviewing and amending practice as a result. To be involved in clinical effectiveness issues particularly the introduction of patient pathways eg working with the End of Life team. Co ordinates the development implementation and review of relevant nursing policies procedures and documentation ensuring a consistent evidence based approach to patient care. Maintains a programme of personal and professional development by attending in service training and utilising relevant educational opportunities eg courses conferences seminars. Functions effectively as a specialist practitioner in line with the recommendations of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Department of Health and operates as a member of the Palliative Care Team and wider multidisciplinary teams Uses clinical supervision to maintain and improve practice. To be alert to ones own psychological health needs with reference to working in palliative care and the needs of others and to be able to receive and offer support when needed.Work with the service manager in developing service policy and delivery participating in projects, education and consultation as appropriate. Maintain high professional standards of care and professional expertise. Using a palliative care database, keep accurate records submit statistical returns and compile reports as required