Job summary If you're looking for a nursing role that allows you to really make a difference by spending time with patients and their loved ones, this is an opportunity for you. With an attractive nurse to patient ratio, we provide high quality, person centered care, and we're looking for an enthusiastic nurse, who is caring and a good team player, to become part of our dedicated and supportive team based at our beautiful Inpatient Unit in Dorchester. Our Inpatient Unit is a 12 bedded palliative care unit caring for patients in the last year of life. The unit has a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care with an emphasis on providing high standards of care. Youll benefit from extensive in-house training and development, and career progression opportunities. There are subsidised meals in our Orangery restaurant, and even free parking. A free counselling service is also available for all staff as well as a range of other support services. This could be an opportunity to develop your career with a move into palliative care. Additional annual leave accrued at previous NHS or hospice employment will be taken into account, by Weldmar Hospicecare when calculating your annual leave entitlement. If you already pay into the NHS pension Scheme you can continue to do so during your employment with us. Main duties of the job To be an effective part of the Nursing Team within our Inpatient Unit. To ensure the provision of a high level of specialist palliative care within a multidisciplinary approach, for patients and their family/carers. To support the principles of team nursing, and oversee the work of junior staff To actively participate in Clinical Governance programme The Staff Nurse will take overall responsibility for the management of the unit, to act as nominated Fire Officer and supervise the staff team in the absence of the Sister (c.2-3 shifts a week) To performance review up to 2 Health Care Assistants About us About our Organisation; Rated Outstanding by the CQC, Weldmar Hospicecare provides specialist care to adults in Dorset with a life limiting illness, and support to their loved ones. This care is given in the comfort of patients own homes, in the community, and at our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester. All care is provided free of charge and mainly funded by the continued support of our local community, via fundraising initiatives and events, our retail chain, and gifts left in wills, enabling us to raise the £26,000 we need every day to keep our services going. Date posted 04 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,545 to £35,964 a year Evening and weekend enhancements payable Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number B0149-25-0000 Job locations Herringston Road Dorchester Dorset DT1 2SL Job description Job responsibilities Scope and Limits of Authority - Responsible and accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual care for the patient/carer on a day-today basis; referring to the sister as and when required. The post holder is required to contribute to the supervision of junior/new members of staff in conjunction with the sister. In absence of a Sister takes charge of the team and the inpatient unit as required. Helps foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale through mutual regard and respect. In absence of a Sister, maintains a skilled nursing presence so as to facilitate a team approach to nursing intervention and multi-disciplinary team working. Is aware of all Hospice policies & procedures and collaborates with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure they are adhered. Works closely with the Sisters to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participated in the audit of clinical care. Promotes a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff, adhering to health and safety standards and infection prevention procedures. The post holder has no direct budget responsibility but must be aware of cost implications and make effective use of resources. Job tasks Professional. To be a safe practitioner and work within the NMC Codes of Conduct and Practice, maintaining registration and PREP; also ensuring that all staff within their sphere of responsibility follows the codes. Responsible for offering `out of hours advice to other health care professionals. Management of pharmacy provision. Maintaining an overview across all patients within the unit. To practice safely according to the charitys policies, procedures and competencies. To be responsible for maintaining a personal awareness of professional developments in nursing in general but particularly in palliative care and to undertake relevant further education. Maintain quality of care by organising self and others, in assessing, planning, implementing and accurately documenting care, in accordance with the hospice philosophy Acts as patient advocate. Managerial Responsibility: To maintain a safe environment within the ward areas and to ensure that all equipment is clean, safe and maintained in good working order. Attend monthly nurse team meetings (when available) for updating of all aspects of clinical and Organisation information and for support of colleagues. Also to attend meetings called by the Chief Executive Officer. To participate in clinical governance and other corporate change projects as delegated. Act as a shift leader in the absence of a Sister, taking overall responsibility for the hospice and its environment, including: - Undertaking all admissions and discharges, ensuring procedures and standards applied - Booking of bank staff in order to ensure staffing quotas maintained - Providing work allocation across the team - Providing advice and support to all staff within the team - Deployment and support of volunteers working in the clinical area - Respond to any managerial changes or crisis quickly and to contact Lead Nurse, Director of Nursing or the Chief Executive at home for confirmation of the action taken or to request further assistance - To meet with delegated staff every 6 weeks to review performance and complete 121s - Under the guidance of Senior Sister/Sister conduct annual performance reviews in order to monitor the performance of delegated staff and provide professional development Educational To attend mandatory training To update professional specialist palliative care knowledge by attending in-house and external courses, education sessions and conferences. To attend appropriate courses leading to recognised post registration qualification To act as a mentor/supervisor to Health Care Assistants Act as a link nurse for a specialist topic, appropriate to specialist palliative care, liaising with the general hospital and community colleagues Participate in agreed audit and research programmes. Act as a mentor/supervisor to nurses new staff, those attending courses or student nurses on placement. Job description Job responsibilities Scope and Limits of Authority - Responsible and accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual care for the patient/carer on a day-today basis; referring to the sister as and when required. The post holder is required to contribute to the supervision of junior/new members of staff in conjunction with the sister. In absence of a Sister takes charge of the team and the inpatient unit as required. Helps foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale through mutual regard and respect. In absence of a Sister, maintains a skilled nursing presence so as to facilitate a team approach to nursing intervention and multi-disciplinary team working. Is aware of all Hospice policies & procedures and collaborates with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure they are adhered. Works closely with the Sisters to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participated in the audit of clinical care. Promotes a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff, adhering to health and safety standards and infection prevention procedures. The post holder has no direct budget responsibility but must be aware of cost implications and make effective use of resources. Job tasks Professional. To be a safe practitioner and work within the NMC Codes of Conduct and Practice, maintaining registration and PREP; also ensuring that all staff within their sphere of responsibility follows the codes. Responsible for offering `out of hours advice to other health care professionals. Management of pharmacy provision. Maintaining an overview across all patients within the unit. To practice safely according to the charitys policies, procedures and competencies. To be responsible for maintaining a personal awareness of professional developments in nursing in general but particularly in palliative care and to undertake relevant further education. Maintain quality of care by organising self and others, in assessing, planning, implementing and accurately documenting care, in accordance with the hospice philosophy Acts as patient advocate. Managerial Responsibility: To maintain a safe environment within the ward areas and to ensure that all equipment is clean, safe and maintained in good working order. Attend monthly nurse team meetings (when available) for updating of all aspects of clinical and Organisation information and for support of colleagues. Also to attend meetings called by the Chief Executive Officer. To participate in clinical governance and other corporate change projects as delegated. Act as a shift leader in the absence of a Sister, taking overall responsibility for the hospice and its environment, including: - Undertaking all admissions and discharges, ensuring procedures and standards applied - Booking of bank staff in order to ensure staffing quotas maintained - Providing work allocation across the team - Providing advice and support to all staff within the team - Deployment and support of volunteers working in the clinical area - Respond to any managerial changes or crisis quickly and to contact Lead Nurse, Director of Nursing or the Chief Executive at home for confirmation of the action taken or to request further assistance - To meet with delegated staff every 6 weeks to review performance and complete 121s - Under the guidance of Senior Sister/Sister conduct annual performance reviews in order to monitor the performance of delegated staff and provide professional development Educational To attend mandatory training To update professional specialist palliative care knowledge by attending in-house and external courses, education sessions and conferences. To attend appropriate courses leading to recognised post registration qualification To act as a mentor/supervisor to Health Care Assistants Act as a link nurse for a specialist topic, appropriate to specialist palliative care, liaising with the general hospital and community colleagues Participate in agreed audit and research programmes. Act as a mentor/supervisor to nurses new staff, those attending courses or student nurses on placement. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualifications and Knowledge: Registered Nurse Drug Administration Some knowledge of, and genuine interest in palliative care Requirement to register and maintain registration with NMC IV Drug Administration Working towards post registration qualification in Palliative Care Willingness to work towards Diploma / Degree Knowledge of local and national initiatives and trends in health care Experience Essential Experience: At least one years post RN qualification experience, ideally including experience within a relevant field Experience of working within more than one health care field Skills and Attributes Essential Skills and Abilities: Ability to practice as a proficient practitioner Ability to manage time effectively Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to provide non-judgemental and empathic emotional support to patients whilst maintaining safe and appropriate boundaries Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements Understanding of team nursing Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality Flexible approach to working arrangements Knowledge of clinical audit Understanding of hospice philosophy and the structure and nature of specialist palliative care services IT skills Ability to supervise, lead and support the work of other staff Confidence and skills to manage the unit in the absence of a Sister Effective problem solving skills Able judgement to know which decisions need to be referred on to a senior colleague during their absence Evidence of an area of special interest Good communication skills, including listening, negotiating skills, communication of ideas and ability to provide advice to other health professionals. Ability to have overall vision of the ward to enable planning and prioritization of care Other Requirements: An Enhanced plus barred list Disclosure and Barring Service Check, as well as any relevant police information plus a check of the relevant Barred List/s. It may disclose other information that the police consider is relevant to the role and level of check applied for. Commitment to the values and ethos of Weldmar Hospicecare Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Charity Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity and how this translates into good practice Commitment to own continued professional and personal development Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualifications and Knowledge: Registered Nurse Drug Administration Some knowledge of, and genuine interest in palliative care Requirement to register and maintain registration with NMC IV Drug Administration Working towards post registration qualification in Palliative Care Willingness to work towards Diploma / Degree Knowledge of local and national initiatives and trends in health care Experience Essential Experience: At least one years post RN qualification experience, ideally including experience within a relevant field Experience of working within more than one health care field Skills and Attributes Essential Skills and Abilities: Ability to practice as a proficient practitioner Ability to manage time effectively Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to provide non-judgemental and empathic emotional support to patients whilst maintaining safe and appropriate boundaries Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements Understanding of team nursing Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality Flexible approach to working arrangements Knowledge of clinical audit Understanding of hospice philosophy and the structure and nature of specialist palliative care services IT skills Ability to supervise, lead and support the work of other staff Confidence and skills to manage the unit in the absence of a Sister Effective problem solving skills Able judgement to know which decisions need to be referred on to a senior colleague during their absence Evidence of an area of special interest Good communication skills, including listening, negotiating skills, communication of ideas and ability to provide advice to other health professionals. Ability to have overall vision of the ward to enable planning and prioritization of care Other Requirements: An Enhanced plus barred list Disclosure and Barring Service Check, as well as any relevant police information plus a check of the relevant Barred List/s. It may disclose other information that the police consider is relevant to the role and level of check applied for. Commitment to the values and ethos of Weldmar Hospicecare Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Charity Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity and how this translates into good practice Commitment to own continued professional and personal development Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Weldmar Hospicecare Address Herringston Road Dorchester Dorset DT1 2SL Employer's website https://www.weld-hospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)