Job summary
Working at The Hospice of St Francis means working in a passionate, supportive team environment with care at the heart of all we do.
This role will be based in our Inpatient Unit (IPU) in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, providing exceptional standards of individualised physical, psychological and spiritual care to patients, as part of a holistic multidisciplinary team caring for patients with life limiting illness and those close to them. We will support you with clinical supervision, practice development and a wide range of education opportunities.
This role requires you to carry out duties according to the philosophy of the Hospice, complying at all times with policies relating to safe guarding of vulnerable adults and children whilst, maintaining confidentiality of patients and their families.
Main duties of the job
1. To work as a member of the Hospice multi-professional team responsiblefor maintaining standards of care within the inpatient unit and helping toensure that the care provided, physical, psychological and spiritual, is of thehighest possible quality within the resources available.
2. Assess, plan,implement and evaluate care, taking into consideration the holistic needs ofthe patient and Hospice guidelines, policies and standards.
3. Ensure thecontinuity of care through comprehensive, accurate recording and verbal,written and electronic hand-over to other members of the Hospicemulti-professional team.
4. Participatein identifying and developing guidelines and standards within the InpatientUnit, and assist in the auditing of these standards.
5. Work alongside Health Care Assistants on the inpatient unit.
6. Maintainthe safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with statutoryregulations, NMC Guidelines and Hospice policy.
7. Establishcaring relationships with the patients family and friends, giving support andadvice and referring to other members of the multi-professional team whereappropriate.
8. Answerqueries whilst on the IPU as part of the out of hours palliative careadvice line for South West and North West Hertfordshire.
9. Maintainand improve own professional competence by keeping abreast of developments andattending in-service and external training sessions, courses, study days andconferences.
About us
Based in beautiful surroundings just outside Berkhamsted, The Hospice of St Francisis a charity which helps 2,000 local people and their families, inHertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to live their precious lives well throughimproving symptoms, achieving personal goals and helping them to feel safe.
Would you like to workin an outstanding hospice where you have the time to deliver exceptionalpalliative care helping people live their precious lives well? Are youcompassionate, caring and committed? Do you have a desire to develop yourpalliative care skills or consolidate those you have?
If YES, we would love tohear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Tasks
Departmental & Role Specifics
You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing care for patients and their families.
You will be organised, proactive and able to prioritise work.
You are able to collaborate with colleagues across different departments, engaging in projects or working groups within the Hospice.
You will be keen to understand and explore current issues in health care/nursing.
You will approach your role as a teacher both formally and opportunistically
Assist in monitoring the safe and economic use of all supplies.
Maintain an evidence based approach to nursing and participate in research projects undertaken within the inpatient unit when appropriate and in line with Hospice policy.
Recognise the specific dietary needs of patients and liaise with the catering staff to ensure the provision of appropriate and attractive meals.
Qualifications, Skills, Experience, Knowledge & Approach
Registered Nurse with a keen interest and willingness to learn about and practice palliative care nursing. Participate in the induction of new staff and volunteers to the Inpatient Unit. To have the desire to work within a team to deliver outstanding care. Drive to learn and keep up to date with research palliative care. Able to work under pressure, prioritising and organising work within your delegated authority. Desire to learn through continuous development. Emotionally resilient, diplomatic and people focused. IT skills, ability to email / word documents /computerised patient records / Report writing.
Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Tasks
Communication
You will be empathetic with excellent communication skills; able to listen and respond in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
You will be sensitive in your approach and care for patients with a terminal illness, and their families.
Experience: Evidence of Palliative care (generalist) experience.
Ability to escalate issues where necessary.
You can work closely, in a collaborative environment, with all IPU team members and the wider Hospice to achieve our objectives.
You show resilience when dealing with difficult and emotional people and complex situations.
You see the potential in others and understands the impact of their actions on colleagues.
Internal & External Contacts
You will be a team player, able work well with people at all levels of the Hospice including Clinical colleagues and staff of other specialities.
Act as buddy/mentor for new members of nursing staff.
Be involved in the education and teaching of both patients and carers in all aspects of health care, as appropriate.
Participate in the teaching and training of permanent and visiting staff and students to the Hospice.
Decision Making
A pro-active approach to work and problem solving, to spot and deal with issues as they occur.
Able to work under own initiative, under pressure within structured timescales.
Freedom to act within delegated responsibility and charity policy and procedure.
Able to consolidate learning with speed and efficiency.
Competent to understand the limits of own knowledge and source appropriate advice.
Keep abreast of best practice communicate and apply that learning for the benefit of the Charity.
Mental and Physical Consideration. Working Conditions & Environment
The post holder will come into contact with challenging emotional and circumstances in this role, including recently bereaved family members.
Ability to maintain concentration and focus for long periods (over the course of a shift during the day and at night).
The post holder will frequently be required to change from one activity to another to meet the changing needs of the service.
You will be required to sit at a computer.
The post holder may be required to visit other locations and will need to have the availability to travel there (car/ public transport).
Health & Safety
Be responsible for compliance with own professional body requirements in terms of code of conduct, professional practice, expertise and knowledge including maintaining continuous professional development.
Report any accidents or incidents as per policy. Escalate to nurse in charge in a timely manner. Record in patients notes if appropriate.
Understand and comply with all Health and Safety, Fire and Infection Control regulations.
Complete all mandatory training.
Understand and adhere to confidentiality and GDPR expectations at all times.
Adhere to standards required with regard to infection prevention and control and supervise others you work with to include volunteers.
Safeguarding
Act in a manner at all times to safeguard the interests of others and justify public trust and confidence in the Hospice of St Francis.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
10. Education and Qualifications: Registered Nurse
Desirable
11. Palliative care competency course (PCCC)
12. Any previous study pertaining to palliative /end of life care
Experience
Essential
13. Experience: Evidence of Palliative care (generalist) experience.
14. Ability to escalate issues where necessary.
15. How to approach and care for patients with a terminal illness, and their families
16. NMC Code of Practice
17. Current issues in health care/nursing
18. Communication skills
19. Listening
20. Teaching both formally and opportunistically
21. Organising / prioritising work
22. IT skills, ability to email / word documents /computerised patient records / Report writing
Desirable
23. Previous experience of end of life care in hospice, hospital care home or community.
24. Bereavement
25. Recent research
26. Current issues in palliative care
27. Innovation
28. Proactivity