Staff Nurse (Nights)

Job responsibilities

JOB TITLE: Registered Nurse (RN) with palliative care qualification

REPORTS TO: Inpatient Unit Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Inpatient Team Leader

REPORTED TO BY: Healthcare Assistants and Apprentices

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide a high standard of holistic, skilled, patient-centred, palliative care to all inpatients.

• Support and supervise the work of health care assistants, apprentices, students and volunteers

• To support and contribute to an environment of continuous quality improvement and learning

• To act as shift lead on a regular basis

• To be a link nurse for specific specialist clinical topic areas

CORE TASKS

Clinical

• To have in-depth knowledge in specialist palliative care and act as a knowledge base / resource for others including staff and patients

• Ensure uniformity of the quality of nursing care across the service

• Provide competent clinical care in areas such as tracheostomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), venepuncture, cannulation, catheterisation, administration of subcutaneous and intravenous therapies and verification of death, where competence has been proven and verified

• To lead the process of admission ensuring all relevant patient records are completed within the agreed timeframes and according to statutory requirements

• Along with other staff to identify and assess physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and their families/carers

• To lead the planning delivery and evaluation of evidence based nursing care for patients and their families in collaboration with other members of the multi disciplinary team

• To lead the discharge planning, including the completion of continuing care checklist and fast track documentation, to ensure patient transfers are timely and coordinated

• To oversee and support the bereavement process

• To ensure that all clinical policies, procedures and guidelines are adhered to

• Ensure medicines are managed in accordance with all internal policies, procedures and standard operating procedures and the misuse of drugs act 1971

• To ensure that patient documentation is completed accurately and fully in line with the NMC guidance on documentation

Management and Leadership

• Manage and maintain a safe clinical environment utilising allocated resources safely and effectively

• Lead and co-ordinate shifts, managing the team of RNs and Health Care Assistants ensuring appropriate skill mix to maintain the highest standard of care for patients and their families

• To provide support and direction to volunteers

• Be aware of and adhere to the Hospice policies and procedures and act at all times with the NMC standards, Code of Conduct and guidelines

• To undertake appraisal, one to ones and competency assessments of health care assistants and apprentices

• To participate in and support the development of organisational and departmental objectives

• Commit to attendance at team meetings, contributing positively and constructively

Communication Skills

• Contribute to the daily handover, admission meetings and the weekly multidisciplinary meeting (MDT) giving clear concise reports of patient progress

• Foster good working relationships with all Hospice departments and members of the multidisciplinary team

• Communicate effectively with patients and families ensuring they contribute and consent to treatment and care plans

• Communicate information to distressed and/or bereaved people in a sensitive manner

• Manage situations where people are distressed or angry in an effective, safe manner

• Be able to communicate effectively with people exhibiting challenging behaviours, ensuring they are respected but expectations are made as clear as possible

• Have excellent telephone communication skills, taking calls from patients, carers and professionals managing their concerns effectively and sensitively

• Manage complaints in a sensitive manner ensuring that the Hospice policy and procedure is adhered to

• Advocate for service users ensuring their views are known to the team including supporting advance care planning discussions and documentation

Personal and People Development

• Ensure that NMC requirements for nurse revalidation are fulfilled and revalidation takes place within required timeframe

• Develop and maintain relevant knowledge and skills and be responsible for own continuing professional development

• Attend mandatory training and any other essential training relevant to the job role

• Provide mentor support to new staff, apprentices, students and volunteers

• To identify and participate in the development of teaching and educational programmes

• To participate in one to one supervision with own line manager

Quality and Service Improvement

• Be aware of organisational strategic direction and future issues pertaining to the provision of specialist palliative and supportive care, and contribute to and participate in organisational service development

• Contribute to the identification of practices that could improve service delivery outcomes and participate in the development of appropriate action plans through:

• audit

• research

• evaluation

• education/training

• user involvement

• Participate in the implementation and review of subsequent action plans

• Take an active role in unit meetings, highlighting areas requiring quality improvement

• Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and encourage others to do so

Health, Safety and Security

• Identify risks as they arise and carry out risk assessments, taking immediate remedial action as required and updating risk assessments regularly

• Adhere to the adverse event and serious incident reporting policy and take appropriate action

• Be familiar with and support implementation of safeguarding policies, the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

• Promote an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures, ensuring staff practice accordingly

• Use equipment safely and in accordance with instructions and departmental procedures, reporting faults as necessary

• In the absence of or in consultation with senior nursing staff, ensure that the off-duty rota meets the requirements of safe staffing risk assessment for the department

Governance

• Ensure that Hospice policies, procedures and standards are adhered to at all times with particular regard to those concerning confidentiality, information governance, health and safety, prevention and control infection and medicines management

• Ensure the effective utilisation of the Hospices computer based patient record system, promoting the use of information technology for recording patient information, communication and information sharing; implementing procedural change as necessary

• Ensure that the department is compliant with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and contribute to the Care Quality Commission inspection process

• Contribute to effective outcome monitoring of service delivery in line with the above regulation

This document is intended to convey an outline of the post and the post-holders responsibilities. You may be asked to carry out other duties relevant to your job role.

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level Registered Nurse Qualification (NMC registered)
• Documentary evidence of continuing professional development
• Willingness to work towards a degree level module in end life/palliative care
• Knowledge of current best practice in nursing care.

Desirable

• Palliative care qualification, e.g.
• ENB 931 or equivalent
• ENB 285

Disposition / Attitude

Essential

• Evidence of an ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to relate positively to colleagues and members of the MDT
• Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality and information governance
• Positive attitude to change and flexible working practices

health and physical

Essential

• Good attendance record
• Ability to move and handle people and equipment
• Vaccination appropriate to the job role

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adult patients.
• Understanding of professional nursing issues.
• Ability to relate nursing experience to a palliative care setting.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a palliative care setting

Circumstances

Essential

• Work shifts over 7 days including weekends
• Work flexibly according to the needs of the service

Practical and intellectual skills

Essential

• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of patient with a life limiting illness/ their families and carers
• Liaison with other agencies and professionals
• Good communication, record keeping and organisational skills
• Computer literacy

Desirable

• Counselling skills/communication skills training

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).