The Macmillan Lead Nurse for Palliative Care is managerially responsible and accountable to the Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse for the management, leadership and development of the palliative care service within the Trust.
The post holder will be a highly experienced palliative care nurse with vision and drive to lead an excellent team of clinical nurse specialists, and lead a well-established service in collaboration with the Consultant in Palliative Medicine, for the ongoing development of palliative and end of life care across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
1. Work autonomously as an expert nurse, receiving and making direct referrals, assessing, planning and reviewing patients, initiating treatments and prescribing independently.
2. Undertake the comprehensive holistic needs assessment of complex palliative care patients, including those reaching end of life, using clinical and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised recommendations, management and treatment plans.
3. Engage with families and carers of patients, in particular those with complex needs, using advanced communication skills to identify their needs.
4. As an authoritative expert in specialist palliative care advise colleagues on complexities and issues relating to the speciality including advanced symptom control, ethical issues in end of life care.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a detailed description of the Job roles and responsibilities please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
1. First level registered nurse and current NMC registration
2. Masters Degree / post Graduate degree in Palliative Care/ Oncology
3. Masters Degree / Post-graduate teaching qualification
4. Advanced physical assessment qualification
5. Non-medical prescribing course or willingness to undertake
Desirable
1. Evidence of post graduate research activity (publications and currently contributing to speciality research activity)
Experience
Essential
1. Evidence of working as Clinical Nurse Specialist/an advanced practitioner in palliative care, cancer or another speciality
2. Experience of working across organisational boundaries
3. Experience of leadership in a Palliative Care setting
4. Experience of line management & employment relation issues
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
1. Advanced knowledge of symptom management and holistic needs assessments.
2. Comprehensive understanding of the role specialist palliative care has in end of life care
3. Knowledge of national guidance on improvements for palliative and end of life care
4. Evidence of service development/ improvement
5. Evidence of successful people and team management
6. Understanding of the role within the current health environment and the impact of current government /regional policy developments
7. Highly competent palliative care/ end of life skills
8. Skills in leadership and motivating others
9. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Desirable
1. Prescribing skills
2. European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
3. Knowledge and experience of managing budgets
Employer details
Employer name
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Address
Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust
Darenth Wood Road
Dartford
DA2 8DA #J-18808-Ljbffr