Job responsibilities
Provide nursing care for patients at the end of life
Monitor the patients condition and record findings accurately
verbally and in writing
Recognize changes in patients' conditions and take appropriate action
to escalate concerns in a timely manner
Have the ability to identify non-clinical concerns ie safeguarding,
environmental risk, psychosocial challenges and communicate to
the relevant health care professionals
Effectively manage volatile or unpredictable situations and call
for help and assistance as appropriate for lone working this
includes the use of a Lone worker device
Cope with the emotional impact of delivering a service where
patient death is a regular occurrence and supporting family and
carers witnessing end of life can present challenging and
heightened emotional environments.
Work collaboratively as a Hospice at Home team member and as
part of the multidisciplinary team to provide effective care delivery
across an integrated health system
Support patients and carers to manage loss and change, including
bereavement support and advice on what to do when someone dies
Maintain a safe working environment for patients, carers and staff
through following policy and procedural guidelines and attending
statutory and mandatory training
Work within the limits of own competence and responsibility and
ask for help as necessary
Competencies related to physical care provision as well as statutory
and mandatory training need to be undertaken and kept up to date
and staff are expected to attend training provide for them to keep
them safe and effective in their role.
Use hospice resources efficiently and effectively thinking
of cost and environmental issues
Prioritize own workload and manage own time to ensure
priorities are met and quality is not compromised
This role requires the post holder to be physically able to provide
care through the moving and handling of patients and equipment.
Working in patients homes there may be access issues such as
multiple flights of stairs. The applicant will need to consider if they
are able to manage the physical aspects of the role.
This post requires a driving license and access to a car with
business insurance
Communication (KSF 2)
Will frequently be required to use sensitive communication, using
the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills, e.g.
When dealing with dying patients, deteriorating patients and for
patients with anxiety, agitation and panic attacks and supporting
carers who may be in a highly distressed state
Able to demonstrate active listening skills and understand complex
information about the patient to be able to effectively address
patient's needs
Ensure effective communication with the Hospice at Home team as
well as with the wider multidisciplinary health care team.
Both verbal and written communication skills are accurate, making
relevant and up to date records on EMIS and document using visit
and shift summary templates according to hospice guidelines
Ability to communicate with patients whose first language is not
English or patients who have communication or language problems
Respect the need for confidentiality of patient's details both verbally
and written
Able to demonstrate the English language proficiency level required
for this post
Governance, Quality and Clinical Practice (KSF1)
Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to do so
Monitor the quality of own work and alerts line manager to
quality issues, reporting any errors or issues according to policy
Discuss with line manager areas that would support the
development and improvement of care delivery
Adapt own work, takes on new tasks as agreed and asks for help if
needed
Attend and participate in team meetings and help evaluate the
service when asked to do so
Quality improvement suggestions are welcomed by your line
manager
Alert line manager if ways of working, polices or strategies are
having a negative impact on the service and therefore on
patients
People and People Development (KSF 1- 2)
Develop own skills and knowledge and provide information to
others to help their development
Identify when support needed in any areas of own work including
identifying the need for any reasonable adjustments for them to carry
out their role or participate in e-learning for example.
Prepare for and takes part in own appraisal process
Identify (with support if necessary) what development gaps
currently exist and how they may be met
Produce a personal development plan with appraiser
Take an active part in learning/development activities and keep a
record of them
Maintain clinical competencies via external and internal training and
development
Support students on placement including shadowing on a shift as
appropriate
Mentor new health care assistants with the support of the
Hospice at Home registered nurses
Has the ability to reflect on intense situations, with colleagues
and/or by engaging with clinical supervision and reflective
practice
Health Safety and Security (KSF 2)
Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others
Follow hospice policies, procedures and risk assessments to keep
self and others safe at work
Work in a way that reduces risks to health, safety and security
Know what to do in an emergency at work, knows how to get
help and acts immediately to get help
Follows the lone working policy including the use of the solo
protect device at all times
Look for potential risks to self and others in work activities and
processes
Manage identified risk in the best way possible
Report actual or potential problems that may put health, safety
or security at risk and suggests solutions
Support and challenge others in maintaining health, safety and
security at work
Considers own mental and emotional resilience in order to be
able to support patients and their families at end of life
Uses equipment appropriately, once trained and instructs carers
in the use and care of simple equipment
Equality and Diversity (KSF 2)
Support equality and value
diversity
Treat everyone with dignity and respect
Allow others to express their views even when different from their
own
Do not discriminate or offer a lesser service because of others
differences or different viewpoints
Challenge bias, prejudice and intolerance if appropriate or bring it
to the attention of their line manager
Use clear language when carrying out duties that patients and
families can relate to
Is aware of the impact of their own behaviour on others