Head of IPU

Job responsibilities

1. Main Responsibilities

1.1 To ensure compassionate, individualised, person and family centred care within the inpatient unit.

1.2 To maximise, facilitate access to in-patient care for those who would benefit from it most.

1.3 Support staff wellbeing so that people who work on the IPU, enjoy coming to work, feel satisfied, challenged and supported, are accountable for their actions, are inclusive and treat others with dignity and respect

1.4 To provide strong, effective clinical leadership, clinical governance and management to the IPU promoting responsive, evidence-based, high quality, end of life care for patients, carers and relatives on the In-Patient Unit.

1.5 To support innovation and opportunities for growth and development of roles across the In-Patient Unit and wider hospice teams.

1.6 To manage change effectively recognising the impact on people and on services and seeking to support cohesive teamwork and safe and effective care.

1.7 To contribute to the strategic plan and its objectives, helping to translate service strategy into effective operations and to ensure that its services reflect, and are responsive to, current and future end of life care need.

1.8 Responsible for assessing and managing health and safety risks within In-Patient care, ensuring that all significant risks have been identified and are recorded on the Risk Register.

1.9 To facilitate robust working relationships with partners in other hospices, external teams and services, health care providers to facilitate joint working for the patient and their loved ones benefit.

2. Professional and Clinical Leadership

2.1 To lead, develop and manage the Inpatient multi-professional team, ensuring with the Inpatient Consultant, the delivery of high-quality integrated care around patient needs.

2.2 To provide a visible, accessible senior clinical management presence to the teams, by providing direct care to patients, leading by example as needed by patients and the team.

2.3 Foster a can do attitude, approach and embed a culture of high-performance in which the team are inspired and empowered.

2.4 To ensure processes are in place to support patient acuity and dependency, skill mix, and expertise required within individual professional capability.

2.5 To act as the Infection Prevention and Control Lead for the In-Patient Unit working jointly with other managers and leads to inform clinical practice.

2.6 To take a lead on medicines management within the IPU responsible for stock control, administration and safe keeping of all medications held on the IPU, working in accordance with standards determined by the Care Quality Commission and NMC for Administration of Medicines.

2.7 To investigate and report on medicine administration errors or omissions, reporting controlled drug concerns and incidents to the Accountable Officer

2.8 To promote that the highest standards of holistic clinical care are delivered and the use of compassionate, clear and sensitive communication and teaching.

2.9 To ensure patient records are properly maintained in accordance with professional guidelines and HOKH policy, whilst maintaining confidence, data protection, GDPR.

2.10 To be aware of current thinking, innovations and evidence base for care provision, including active participation in audit and research

2.11 To ensure that the standards set by the Care Quality Commission, NICE guidance, other national bodies are adhered to in accordance with legal requirements.

2.12 To act, at all times, in accordance within the relevant professions Code of Professional Conduct.

3.0 Management Responsibilities

3.1 To attend Senior Leadership meetings, contributing to the continued quality improvement and planning of services to meet the organisational strategic aims.

3.2 To investigate complaints, incidents or concerns from patients or their relatives, reporting outcomes of the investigation to the Director of Patient Services, using the hospice Incident database.

3.3 To take responsibility for the efficient and effective running of the In-Patient Unit, overseeing the nursing rota to ensure the ward is safely staffed, with an appropriate skill mix.

3.4 Ensure the production of statistics and activity reports using information technology, be curious to interrogate the data for themes and areas for improvement.

3.5 To work in conjunction with the People Services to oversee the support of ward-based volunteers and ward receptionists, ensuring standards are maintained.

3.6 To assist in the writing and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.

3.7 To be responsible for clinical budgets related to the line managed areas, working with the Director of Patient Services and Finance Director on preparations for budget setting.

3.8 To take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate clinical, managerial supervision is in place and attended for yourself and team members.

3.9 Using the electronic Staffcare database monitor annual leave, sick leave and general wellbeing of the IPU nurses and health care assistants and other members of the team as needed, liaising with People Services

3.10 Ensure compliance with Hospice Statutory & Mandatory training for all IPU colleagues

3.11 To lead the recruitment and selection of additional or replacement team members and participate in the selection process of other posts as requested.

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a senior nurse responsible for leading a team.
• Experience working in a palliative care setting.
• Knowledge of symptom management, end of life care and recognizing palliative care emergencies.
• Experience of organizing and managing a clinical area.
• Good understanding of Clinical Governance and the audit process.
• Knowledge of political and economic influences affecting palliative care.
• Knowledge of the key CQC standards.

Desirable

• Experience of managing budgets.
• Experience in recruitment and interviewing.
• Knowledge of the charitable sector.
• Experience of colleague and team development.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication and inter personal relationship skills.
• Ability to manage own workload and co-ordinate the work of others.
• Have the ability to lead by experience.
• Confident and assertive.
• Action, solution focused.
• To be able to act as an ambassador to influence best practice throughout the hospice.
• Flexible and adaptable.

Desirable

• IT Skills in Outlook, word processing and spreadsheets.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Post Registration Qualification -Bsc level or equivalent- in palliative care,health and social care

Desirable

• Mentorship or teaching qualification

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).