COMMUNITY SPECIALIST ADVICE LINE CLINICIAN

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide appropriate palliative care advice and support to patients and their carers though telephone Specialist Advice Line, 09.00 – 17.00 on seven-day week with the occasional on call in a crisis.

To act as a resource for the Specialist Community & Crisis Support Service (SCCS) and ensure robust links across Saint Francis Hospice and external partners.

Responsible for creating relationships with other teams in the community to provide best support at home including DN teams, GPs, Acute Hospital Trusts, Care Providers & LAS/East of England

Be responsible for own development to being an autonomous expert practitioner in specialist palliative care.

Able to manage complex distressing/highly emotional situations on a regular, potentially daily basis

To take part in audits and other service assessment work as evaluation of the community service processes.

To act as an ambassador for the service and the Saint Francis Hospice at all times including representing with occasional fundraising and PR activities as requested.

To line manage and given supervision to the 5b Advice Line Senior Staff nurse Post

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide appropriate end of life care addressing physical, emotional and spiritual care in agreement with the patient and their family following development of skills to undertake complex, holistic assessment of need

Take responsibility for own safety whilst working autonomously and adhere to lone working policy and procedures as set by the organisation

To communicate effectively and appropriately using advanced communication skills, with patients, their carers and liaise with other professionals involved in their care on behalf of the Specialist Community & Crisis Support Service

Due to exposure to highly distressing, possibly unpleasant environments in the community to be aware and attend supportive programs available within the team and organisation for self.

Develop skills in recognition of palliative care emergencies through clinical symptoms and assessment. To take responsibility to recognise and report changes in the patient’s condition and respond appropriately to maintain effective symptom control

Accurate and timely recording of assessments and clinical history

Have an understanding of the importance of multi-professional team working and the ability to promote it within the organisation and externally.

Have an understanding and awareness of behaviours and interpersonal skills that are vital to effective team working and practice them at all times

Work proactively to maintain effective communication networks of sensitive information with all departments within the hospice and externally to maintain a seamless delivery of services

Participate in the service delivery over a 24/7 365-day service as directed by the Community Team Leader with weekend shift work being part of the rota.

Take responsibility to develop and establish external relationships with District Nursing teams, GP practices, acute sector and other hospices/specialists.

To attend monthly Specialist Community & Crisis Support meetings and weekly multidisciplinary team meetings. Attendance at Reflective practice sessions will be required during development process and with Clinical Supervisor as arranged

Demonstrate progression from intermediate to advanced clinical knowledge of the principles and practice of palliative care though competency achievements and ongoing self-reflection and setting of objectives

To retain professional membership with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) or Health and care Professions Council (HCPC) and to fully comply with the professional standards associated with the status and revalidation requirements

Attend and represent Saint Francis Hospice at internal/external meetings on behalf of the Specialist Community & Crisis Support Service – as directed by the Manager

To familiarise self with work of Clinical Champion Groups within Saint Francis Hospice and the Widening Access Agenda and participate within the groups to gain further development of service provision and resource

To recognise the impact that a life limiting illness can have on a patient and their family and to support them through this process, respecting the individuality and rights of the patient and promoting their independence

To participate, plan and present teaching sessions, audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested

To participate in own personal development through all mandatory training and suitable internal/external study days

To be responsible for the maintenance and development of own CPD. Actively seeking to develop skills and knowledge through reading, reflection and attending both internal and external teaching courses

Develop advanced communication skills; Anticipate barriers to communication, and take action to improve the communication skills and strategies of the team

Develop skills in managing complex communication issues with patients and families as a lone worker in the community

Develop presentation skills, both oral and written. Write and maintain accurate notes/documentation and input computerised data, keeping all information up-to-date

Demonstrate competent use of Electronic Patient Records or paper notes and IT systems

Accurate and timely recording of assessments and clinical history. Use SFH recognised electronic record symptom and use of external system information supporting the patient information gathering with any investigations

Develop skills in managing complex situations relating to anticipatory grief or bereavement care

Develop skills in networking and influencing to represent the voice of palliative care in the wider community

Participate in all learning opportunities offered and expected and apply own learning to the future development of practice

Share, articulate and reflect palliative care skills, enabling others to learn

Develop teaching skills and participate in planned teaching programmes

Consistently draw on research and literature to influence specialist palliative care learning and use of evidence based practice at all times

Develop skills for writing articles for publication, deliver at conferences, and produce posters for presentation.

Participate in forums for discussion on research and audit programmes

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Act within the Codes of Professional Conduct. HCPC registration (as an Allied Health Professional, or Paramedic)

2. Adhere to the policies and conditions of service of Saint Francis Hospice relating to sickness and absence, conduct, Health and Safety, Data Protection and any others that are relevant.

3. Take responsibility for own professional and personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions and in the annual appraisal system.

4. To practice and be accountable for own professional actions in accordance with health and safety policies, lone working policy and adheres to fire regulations and maintains own personal safety accordingly.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Ability to flourish in a rapidly changing/developing service
• Good personal support mechanisms and ability to acknowledge when support needed
• Demonstrate experience of managing time and workload efficiently with good organisational skills
• Demonstrate experience with mentoring ,nurturing development and showing leadership skills
• Ability to work as part of a team both within the hospice MDT, community CCGs and hospital specialist palliative care team

Desirable

• Community-based experience and awareness of autonomous working expectations

Skills, Abilities, Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of current issues in specialist palliative care and equity of access behaviours
• Flexible approach to team working and an awareness of team dynamics/behaviours
• Awareness of expectations around role modelling and sharing knowledge re end of life care to all professional colleagues
• Ability to assess situations comprehensively and decisive planning of care
• Motivated and enthusiastic-willingness to develop advanced clinical skills
• Effective and clear communication skills both written and verbal
• IT knowledge and use of electronic based records awareness of confidentially and GDPR
• Significant experience at senior band 5/equivalent senior level 3 years - in palliative care or other associated speciality
• Willingness to work flexibly in a service operational 24/7 365 days of the year

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Health Care qualification with significant post registration experience 5 years minimum, HCPC registration (as an Allied Health Professional, or Paramedic) RGN
• Degree or equivalent experience or willingness to undertake
• Level 5 and above
• Minimal 5 years post qualification experience

Desirable

• Oncology/Palliative Care Qualification /Relevant Skills/Experience in Palliative Care
• Teaching qualification/experience Level 3 and above

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

Saint Francis Hospice

Address

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH

Employer's website

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