Job responsibilities
Main responsibilities:
1. Clinical Practice
1.1
Working as part of the
inpatient unit under the direction of the Clinical Sister / Head of IPU, Sister
and Senior Registered Nurse, facilitate the highest possible standards of
individualised physical, psychological, social and spiritual nursing care for
patients, their relatives and carers prioritising need in line with available
resources.
1.2
To work as a member of
the team providing best possible outcomes for patients, families and carers,
ensuring that the patients dignity is promoted and respected and that equality
and diversity are priorities of care.
1.3
Undertake comprehensive
specialist palliative care nursing assessments, agreeing a plan of care for
patients and families based on clear goals intended to bring about effective,
measurable outcomes.
1.4
Work in partnership
with other members of the multidisciplinary team to help patients achieve their
preferred place of care.
1.5
Provide advice and guidance
related to symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual needs referring
appropriately to relevant professionals or services.
1.6
Carry out regular
audits ensuring that protocols, policies and integrated care pathways are
developed, implemented and evaluated and are consistent with national and
international standards and current research; support changes in practice which
improve clinical outcomes and meet the needs of patients, familiesand
carers.
1.7 Take
responsibility for recognition and assessment of the educational anddevelopmental needs of colleagues,
participating in the creation, delivery andevaluation of learning opportunities
that fulfill these requirements.
1.8 Provide clear explanations and education
as appropriate to ensure that patients, families
and staff have the information they require in a timely fashion.
1.9 To act as a resource across the health
economy within this specialist area.
1.10 To participate in the
development, review and audit of quality standards and contribute to the process of
continuous quality improvement monitoring, reporting to the Clinical Care & Quality
Assurance Committee.
1.11 Ensure
patients and professionals have appropriate links to colleagues in the organisation ensuring continuity of
advice and intervention through effective team working.
1.12 Regularly
attend multidisciplinary team meetings, proactively discussing patients, ensuring
the most appropriate plans of action are in place for individuals.
1.13 In the best interests of
patients and families, proactively collaborate with a wide range of internal
and external professionals developing effective working relationships and
ensuring effective communication channels are established between the partner
agencies, patients and families.
1.14 Maintain
full, accurate and confidential clinical records, both in computerand written form, in accordance with
mandatory legal requirements and theHospice standards for nursing documentation.
1.15 Challenge
professional and organisational boundaries, identifying areas of skills, knowledge and development to provide
continuity and high-quality patient centred healthcare.
2. Administrative and Managerial
2.1
Supervise
the work of junior team members and volunteers, providing a point of expertise and knowledge for complex patient
problems.
2.2 Provide
nursing support and mentorship to colleagues, ensuring clinical staff are prepared
and supported in their roles.
2.3
Support
the team in the active development of Healthcare Assistant
and volunteer roles.
2.4
Participate in strategic service reviews and service
development initiatives as appropriate.
2.5
Attend meetings pertinent to organisational and professional
responsibilities.
2.6
Maintain accurate and up-to-date statistics and utilise Hospice
computerised systems to establish
and monitor appropriate patient/client information. Inconjunction
with the Senior Registered Nurses produce reports, analyses and documentation.
2.7
Represent the Hospice on relevant external groups and be
responsive to and work with
policy agendas as appropriate.
2.8
To
participate in a rota that ensures provision of patient care 24 hours / 7 days
a week
as set by the Clinical Sister/ Head of IPU
3. Education, Training and
Professional Development
3.1
Maintain own expert
clinical knowledge and skills, including advanced communication skills, and
achieve the educational standards set out in line with the skills, knowledge and
competency level required of enhanced practitioners and by the role.
3.2
To participate in the
performance review and appraisal process know as Your Snapshot. Identify
personal development and training needs through clinical supervision and the
performance appraisal process, and undertake relevant training, including all
statutory and mandatory training and development.
3.3
To participate in the induction
and ongoing training and development of all clinical staff, students on
placements and volunteers.
3.4 To participate in the Hospices
multidisciplinary formal and informal teachingprogrammes for internal and external staff. This will include
students undergoing courses or gaining experience in the Hospice.
3.5 To
promote a collegiate, innovative, creative and supportive learning environment that welcomes ongoing learning, change and
development.
4. Quality, audit and research
4.1
Keep abreast of research and audit activity to ensure that
his/her practice is appropriately
updated in line with latest guidance, research findings and organisational policies and procedures.
4.2
Assess, report and manage risks in line with the Nursing and
Midwifery Councils Code and the
organisations policies, and undertake to review practices and learn from experience.
4.3
To comply with the Hospices policy and procedure in handling
any complaints.
4.4
Contribute to and support the Clinical Governance framework of
the organisation, and keep up to
date with governance activity and latest policies and procedures.
4.5
Initiate and/or participate in research and audit, and promote
an awareness of and participate
in the dissemination of research findings through clinical application to ensure enhanced patient/family care.
4.6
Actively work to ratified clinical policies and procedures.
4.7
Abide by all organisational policies and guidance in relation
to confidentiality andinformation
governance. Any disclosure of
confidential information includingpersonal
information kept on computer or other media made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a
serious disciplinary offence.
4.8 Keep up to date with current legislation,
professional practice issues and
relevantdevelopments in palliative and
bereavement care.
5. Communication
5.1 To promote close working relationships
and good communication links with colleagues
at all levels throughout the Hospice, and maintain good communications with external contacts as appropriate.
5.2 Maintain effective links with educational
and palliative care organisations as appropriate.
6. Health and Safety
6.1 To take reasonable care of the health and
safety of yourself and others that may be affected
by what you do while at work, and to co-operate in the implementation of the Hospices health and safety policies
and procedures.
7. Public relations and marketing
7.1 To initiate and/or participate in the
production of promotional material for distribution to potential stakeholders.
7.2 To support fundraising/volunteer events
as appropriate.
8. General
8.1 Organise
and prioritise any competing demands of the role, completing duties as required within working hours.
8.2 To
conduct yourself at all times in a manner befitting the post and the
professional dignity of the Hospice,
and ensure that the Hospice is positively represented to the public and other stakeholders.
8.3
To work as a member of the Hospice team to foster the teams
caring mission and to have a
commitment to the cause of helping patients and their families with palliative care needs.
8.4
To commit to our culture framework which outlines how we expect
everyone at Heartof
Kent Hospice individually and as a team to ensure the best possible experience for our patients, their families, our
supporters and our local community.
8.5 Champion
best practice in Equality Diversity and Inclusion in everything we do.
8.6 Have
fun and challenge yourself at work, championing our values and behavioursand
abiding by our policies and procedures.
8.7 Adapt
and develop in line with the changing needs of the role.
8.8 Act as
an ambassador for The Heart of Kent Hospice in order to raise the profile of the organisation at a local, regional
and national level as required.
8.9 Work
flexibly across departments from time to time as may be requested.
8.10 Undertake
other duties commensurate with the seniority of the post as may reasonably be requested.
The
post holder will work within the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional
Practice at all times. All organisational policies and procedures will be
followed.
