Band 5 Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overall Aim

To provide a high standard of individualised patient centred care to patients with a life limiting illness and to provide care and support for relatives and carers on the Inpatient Unit.

To assist in the management and organisation of the nursing service including the teaching of junior staff and students.

Clinical Responsibilities

• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care from the point of admission through to discharge or death.
• To provide knowledge and skills in caring for patients with life limiting illness.
• To ensure that high standards of nursing care are maintained and to act when these are not being met.
• To support the development and implementation of care pathways and of patient information.
• To ensure that the dignity, safety and confidentiality of all patients is respected at all times and that all patients receive the highest possible standards of physical, psychological and spiritual care.
• To develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure collaborative working for the benefit of patient care.
• To liaise effectively with external agencies as appropriate.
• To attend and participate in meetings as appropriate.
• To maintain accurate and up to date patient care records.
• To have a willingness to take on extended roles and act as a Link Nurse within a defined area of interest/speciality.
• To promote a calm, dignified and informal atmosphere in the Hospice whilst maintaining a professional, safe environment for patients and staff.
• To provide a high standard of personalised and on-going after care for bereaved families and friends.
• To support work colleagues whilst working in an emotionally stressful environment.

Professional Responsibilities

• To act as a role model and promote excellence in nursing practice.
• To act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• To work in accordance with Hospice policies and procedures and with national clinical guidelines.
• To be flexible in working pattern to meet the needs of the service including day, weekend and night shift working.
• To provide mentorship and preceptorship to new starters, newly qualified staff and students and to encourage an effective learning environment.
• To be responsible for junior members of staff.
• To stay abreast of professional and clinical developments.
• To demonstrate a commitment to research based practice and clinical excellence.
• To undertake Personal Development Review (PDR) and to critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and mentoring.
• To seek advice and support from Line Manager when necessary.
• To be aware of the principles of infection control in line with Hospice and Trust Policy ensuring high standards of practice in self and others to promote a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Management Responsibilities

• To communicate with the Line Manager in order to participate in the smooth running and organisation of the Unit.
• To ensure nursing cover is provided to support the continuity of patient care.
• To supervise and co-ordinate the running of the Unit in the absence of senior staff.
• To support junior and senior colleagues in their roles.
• To mentor, support and teach students on placement in the Hospice.
• To take responsibility for specific administrative tasks delegated by Line Manager.
• To ensure the cost-effective use of all resources.
• To assist in monitoring maintenance and repair programmes for clinical equipment.
• To promote a healthy and safe working environment by ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations and to assist in the development and implementation of any policies to meet these standards.
• To record and monitor all accidents and untoward incidents and report them to Line Manager.
• To manage verbal complaints and escalate to Line Manager when necessary.

THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION IS ATTACHED

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrates a high standard of patient care and works in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and Practice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work with others to produce workable solutions
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities and manage a challenging workload in a calm and professional manner
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to manage demanding and sensitive situations.

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills
• Evidence of introducing change and innovation into nursing practice.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant clinical experience
• Relevant experience of working as part of a team and self-directed.
• Demonstrates professional awareness and knowledge.

Desirable

• Placement or post qualification experience in a palliative care setting

Qualifications

Essential

• Current NMC Registration
• RN educated to Diploma or Degree level
• Evidence of recent professional updating and relevant personal development

Desirable

• Palliative care qualification
• Mentorship qualification/ Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor

Knowledge

Essential

• Able to demonstrate sound clinical knowledge with an ability to link this to the specialty of palliative care.
• Able to demonstrate professional awareness and knowledge.

Desirable

• Extended clinical knowledge and skills

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Garden House Hospice Care

Address

Gillison Close

Letchworth Garden City

Hertfordshire

SG6 1QU

Employer's website

https://www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)