Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, experienced Clinician, with good clinical palliative care knowledge base, to join our well-established Hospice Community Team as a Development Clinical Specialist. This post will provide varied senior experience in a multidisciplinary working environment delivering a 24/7 service to individuals, carers and other health care professionals across the community.
Main duties of the job
We are a progressive, creative team, with a strong ethos, working in collaboration with our external place-based partners, enabling and encouraging access to palliative and end of life care to any individual living across Brentwood, Havering, Barking & Dagenham over a 24hr 7 day service in addition to out of hours telephone support for Redbridge.
With the launch of the hospice 5- year strategy and ranked Outstanding by Care Quality Commissioners, there is not a better time to join our experienced & skilled specialist palliative care service, providing excellent, compassionate care to individuals and their loved ones across all residential community settings.
We are looking for a candidate who understands the needs of those receiving palliative care /end of life care, a working knowledge of evidence-based practice and the ability to develop a good knowledge base of current initiatives and developments in palliative care.
The candidate will possess excellent communication skills, the ability to progress autonomy within a team environment and develop caseload management skills.
About us
We are a dynamic, forward thinking organisation delivering a full range of specialist palliative care services for individuals & their loved ones with life limiting illness. We achieved Outstanding in our CQC inspection & have reconfigured our services to meet the changing needs of our local community. We support 5 Clinical Commissioning Groups & have a robust governance structure in place. We provide ward clinical services within a modern, personal & friendly 18-bedded unit, as well as Specialist Community Crisis Support Service, Hospice at Home Service & Specialist Day Therapy Service. We also have the hospice Pepperell Education Centre that has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality education programmes and study days.
All communication regarding your application including invitations to interviews will be sent to the email address you have stated on your application form, if you could also provide a contact telephone number as well.
Saint Francis Hospice is a charity based in the
UK. We will require all successful candidates to be able to provide
documentary ID proof of their Right to Work in the UK. We are not a
Licensed Sponsor, so are unable to provide sponsorship to support applicants
applying from outside of the UK.
Please note that we are a charity & not part of an NHS Trust & we are situated in a quiet location in the village of Havering-atte-Bower, outskirts of Romford, therefore please consider our location when applying.
Job description
Job responsibilities
HOURS OF DUTY
37.5 hours per week Service runs 7 days a week over 24 hours 365 days a year
REPORTS TO
Community Team Lead
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Community Team Leaders
- Hospice Community Team and Admin
- Hospice @ Home Team Leader
- PSPA & Referral Hub Manager
- Referral Coordinator & Assistant
- Primary Care Teams/District Nurses
- Saint Francis Hospice multi-professional team
- Palliative Care Teams in Acute Hospital Trusts
- GP Practices on an individual basis and through Gold Standard Framework meetings or similar format Community liaison at planned meetings
- Individual, loved ones and Carers
RESPONSIBLE FOR
This role does not have line management responsibility
JOB SUMMARY
As a development clinical specialist, the role is a learning & achieving organisational competencies to achieve clinical specialist status in palliative care, providing appropriate palliative care & advice to individuals, their loved ones, healthcare professional & social carers, whether face to face, telephone contact, virtual assessments & onsite visits.
The role involves management of complex and often distressing and highly emotive situations on a regular basis using advanced communication skills.
Positive relationships with GPs, DNs and other external agencies, fostering collaborative & creative working in supportive partnerships to improve positive outcomes for individuals.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To provide appropriate end of life care addressing physical, emotional & spiritual care in agreement with the individual & their loved ones following development of skills to undertake complex, holistic assessment of need
- Take responsibility for own safety in the community when working autonomously & adhere to lone working policy & procedures as set by the organisation
- To be responsible for travel to & from individuals home & plan & organise community visits efficiently
- To communicate effectively and appropriately using advanced communication skills, with individuals, their carers & liaise with other professionals involved in their care on behalf of the Hospice Community team
- Due to exposure to highly distressing, possibly unpleasant environments in the community to be aware of support mechanisms available within the team & organisation
- Develop skills in recognition of palliative care emergencies through clinical symptoms and assessment. To take responsibility to recognise & report changes in an individuals condition & respond appropriately to maintain effective symptom control
- Accurate & timely recording of assessments & clinical history
- Understand the importance of multi-professional team working & the ability to promote it within the organisation and externally.
- Have an understanding and awareness of behaviours & interpersonal skills that are vital to effective team always working & practice them
- Work proactively to maintain effective communication networks of sensitive information with all departments within the hospice & externally to maintain a seamless delivery of services
- Participate in the service delivery over a 24/7 365-day service as directed by
- Development Mentor & Community Team Leader with weekend & on call workbeing part of the rota.
- Take responsibility to develop & establish external relationships with District Nursing teams, GP practices, acute sector & other hospices/specialists.
- To attend monthly Hospice Community Team meetings & weekly multidisciplinary team meetings. Attendance at Reflective practice sessions will be required during development process & with Clinical Supervisor as arranged.
- Demonstrate progression from intermediate to advanced clinical knowledge of the principles & practice of palliative care though competency achievements & ongoing self-reflection & setting of objectives.
- To retain professional membership with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) or other health professional bodies e.g NMC and to fully comply with the professional standards associated with the status & revalidation requirements.
- Attend and represent Saint Francis Hospice at internal/external meetings on behalf of the Hospice Community Team, as directed by the Manager
- To familiarise self with work of Clinical Champion Groups within Saint Francis Hospice & the Widening Access Agenda & participate within the groups to gain further development of service provision & resource,
- To recognise the impact that a life limiting illness can have on individuals & their loved ones & to support them through this process, respecting the individuality & rights & promoting their independence
- To participate, plan & present teaching sessions, audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested
- To participate in own personal development through all mandatory training & suitable internal/external study day
- To be responsible for the maintenance & development of own CPD. Actively seeking to develop skills & knowledge through reading, reflection & attending both internal & external teaching courses
- Develop advanced communication skills; Anticipate barriers to communication, & take action to improve the communication skills & strategies of the team
- Develop skills in managing complex communication issues with individuals & loved ones as a lone worker in the community
- Develop presentation skills, both oral & written. Write & maintain accurate notes/documentation & input computerised data, keeping all information up to date
- Demonstrate competent use of Electronic Patient Records or paper notes & IT systems
- Accurate & timely recording of assessments & clinical history. Use SFH recognised electronic record symptom & use of external system information supporting individuals data 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 & expected as part of the development programme, & apply own learning to the future development of practice
- Share, articulate and reflect palliative care skills, enabling others to learn
- Develop teaching skills & participate in planned teaching programmes
- Consistently draw on research & literature to always influence specialist palliative care learning & use of evidence-based practice
- Develop skills for writing articles for publication, deliver at conferences, & produce posters for presentation.
- Participate in forums for discussion on research & audit programmes
- Work towards non-medical prescribing
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Act within the Codes of Professional Conduct, HCPC or NMC
- Take responsibility for own professional & personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions & in the annual appraisal system.
- Following the successful completion of the non-medical prescribing course & approval for practice, the Clinical Specialist may prescribe medications within agreed policies and procedures.
- To be involved & support the multi-disciplinary team meetings in primary & community care settings with GPs, and in Care Homes
- To practice & be accountable for own professional actions in accordance with health & safety policies, lone working policy & adheres to fire regulations & maintain own personal safety accordingly.
- Adhere to the policies & conditions of service of Saint Francis Hospice relating to sickness & absence, conduct, Health & Safety, Data Protection & any others that are relevant.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF POSTHOLDER
SENSITIVITY AND PROFESSIONALISM:As an employee of Saint Francis Hospice, you should expect that it is likely that you will come into contact with individuals and their loved ones and members of the public who are at the end of life or recently bereaved. All employees are expected to respond to people recounting and expressing their emotions about such events with sensitivity and understanding, and to know enough about the services that the Hospice provides to be able to signpost people who may benefit from our services to the relevant contacts.
CONFIDENTIALITY: The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to individuals and their loved ones, staff and other hospice matter during the course of duty. Any breach of Confidentiality may become a disciplinary issue.
DATA PROTECTION: It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of their obligations in respect of the Data Protection Act 2018.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITES:The hospice is committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunity in employment and has a clear commitment to equal opportunities. All employees have a responsibility to ensure that they understand the standards expected and that they promote and adhere to the equal opportunity measures adopted by the hospice.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: All staff must be familiar with section 2 of the Health & Safety Policy, Organisation of Health and Safety. This document sets out the responsibilities of all staff for health and safety, whether in a supervisory capacity or not. Policy section 3 (arrangements for Health and Safety) provides an overview of training for competence in Health and Safety matters.
HOSPICE IDENTITY BADGES: Hospice ID badges must be worn at all times whilst on duty.
SMOKING:The hospice acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, for its employees, service users and visitors. Smoking is therefore not permitted at any point whilst on duty, in accordance with the guidelines set down within the Hospice No Smoking Policy.
REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE/CODE OF CONDUCT:
All employees who are required to register with a professional body to enable them to practice within their profession are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration.
WORKING TIME REGULATIONS:The Working Time Regulations 1998 require that you should not work more than an average of 48 hours in each week. For example, in a 26 week period you should work no more than 1248 hours.
Job description
Job responsibilities
HOURS OF DUTY
37.5 hours per week Service runs 7 days a week over 24 hours 365 days a year
REPORTS TO
Community Team Lead
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Community Team Leaders
- Hospice Community Team and Admin
- Hospice @ Home Team Leader
- PSPA & Referral Hub Manager
- Referral Coordinator & Assistant
- Primary Care Teams/District Nurses
- Saint Francis Hospice multi-professional team
- Palliative Care Teams in Acute Hospital Trusts
- GP Practices on an individual basis and through Gold Standard Framework meetings or similar format Community liaison at planned meetings
- Individual, loved ones and Carers
RESPONSIBLE FOR
This role does not have line management responsibility
JOB SUMMARY
As a development clinical specialist, the role is a learning & achieving organisational competencies to achieve clinical specialist status in palliative care, providing appropriate palliative care & advice to individuals, their loved ones, healthcare professional & social carers, whether face to face, telephone contact, virtual assessments & onsite visits.
The role involves management of complex and often distressing and highly emotive situations on a regular basis using advanced communication skills.
Positive relationships with GPs, DNs and other external agencies, fostering collaborative & creative working in supportive partnerships to improve positive outcomes for individuals.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To provide appropriate end of life care addressing physical, emotional & spiritual care in agreement with the individual & their loved ones following development of skills to undertake complex, holistic assessment of need
- Take responsibility for own safety in the community when working autonomously & adhere to lone working policy & procedures as set by the organisation
- To be responsible for travel to & from individuals home & plan & organise community visits efficiently
- To communicate effectively and appropriately using advanced communication skills, with individuals, their carers & liaise with other professionals involved in their care on behalf of the Hospice Community team
- Due to exposure to highly distressing, possibly unpleasant environments in the community to be aware of support mechanisms available within the team & organisation
- Develop skills in recognition of palliative care emergencies through clinical symptoms and assessment. To take responsibility to recognise & report changes in an individuals condition & respond appropriately to maintain effective symptom control
- Accurate & timely recording of assessments & clinical history
- Understand the importance of multi-professional team working & the ability to promote it within the organisation and externally.
- Have an understanding and awareness of behaviours & interpersonal skills that are vital to effective team always working & practice them
- Work proactively to maintain effective communication networks of sensitive information with all departments within the hospice & externally to maintain a seamless delivery of services
- Participate in the service delivery over a 24/7 365-day service as directed by
- Development Mentor & Community Team Leader with weekend & on call workbeing part of the rota.
- Take responsibility to develop & establish external relationships with District Nursing teams, GP practices, acute sector & other hospices/specialists.
- To attend monthly Hospice Community Team meetings & weekly multidisciplinary team meetings. Attendance at Reflective practice sessions will be required during development process & with Clinical Supervisor as arranged.
- Demonstrate progression from intermediate to advanced clinical knowledge of the principles & practice of palliative care though competency achievements & ongoing self-reflection & setting of objectives.
- To retain professional membership with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) or other health professional bodies e.g NMC and to fully comply with the professional standards associated with the status & revalidation requirements.
- Attend and represent Saint Francis Hospice at internal/external meetings on behalf of the Hospice Community Team, as directed by the Manager
- To familiarise self with work of Clinical Champion Groups within Saint Francis Hospice & the Widening Access Agenda & participate within the groups to gain further development of service provision & resource,
- To recognise the impact that a life limiting illness can have on individuals & their loved ones & to support them through this process, respecting the individuality & rights & promoting their independence
- To participate, plan & present teaching sessions, audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested
- To participate in own personal development through all mandatory training & suitable internal/external study day
- To be responsible for the maintenance & development of own CPD. Actively seeking to develop skills & knowledge through reading, reflection & attending both internal & external teaching courses
- Develop advanced communication skills; Anticipate barriers to communication, & take action to improve the communication skills & strategies of the team
- Develop skills in managing complex communication issues with individuals & loved ones as a lone worker in the community
- Develop presentation skills, both oral & written. Write & maintain accurate notes/documentation & input computerised data, keeping all information up to date
- Demonstrate competent use of Electronic Patient Records or paper notes & IT systems
- Accurate & timely recording of assessments & clinical history. Use SFH recognised electronic record symptom & use of external system information supporting individuals data 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 & expected as part of the development programme, & apply own learning to the future development of practice
- Share, articulate and reflect palliative care skills, enabling others to learn
- Develop teaching skills & participate in planned teaching programmes
- Consistently draw on research & literature to always influence specialist palliative care learning & use of evidence-based practice
- Develop skills for writing articles for publication, deliver at conferences, & produce posters for presentation.
- Participate in forums for discussion on research & audit programmes
- Work towards non-medical prescribing
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Act within the Codes of Professional Conduct, HCPC or NMC
- Take responsibility for own professional & personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions & in the annual appraisal system.
- Following the successful completion of the non-medical prescribing course & approval for practice, the Clinical Specialist may prescribe medications within agreed policies and procedures.
- To be involved & support the multi-disciplinary team meetings in primary & community care settings with GPs, and in Care Homes
- To practice & be accountable for own professional actions in accordance with health & safety policies, lone working policy & adheres to fire regulations & maintain own personal safety accordingly.
- Adhere to the policies & conditions of service of Saint Francis Hospice relating to sickness & absence, conduct, Health & Safety, Data Protection & any others that are relevant.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF POSTHOLDER
SENSITIVITY AND PROFESSIONALISM:As an employee of Saint Francis Hospice, you should expect that it is likely that you will come into contact with individuals and their loved ones and members of the public who are at the end of life or recently bereaved. All employees are expected to respond to people recounting and expressing their emotions about such events with sensitivity and understanding, and to know enough about the services that the Hospice provides to be able to signpost people who may benefit from our services to the relevant contacts.
CONFIDENTIALITY: The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to individuals and their loved ones, staff and other hospice matter during the course of duty. Any breach of Confidentiality may become a disciplinary issue.
DATA PROTECTION: It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of their obligations in respect of the Data Protection Act 2018.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITES:The hospice is committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunity in employment and has a clear commitment to equal opportunities. All employees have a responsibility to ensure that they understand the standards expected and that they promote and adhere to the equal opportunity measures adopted by the hospice.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: All staff must be familiar with section 2 of the Health & Safety Policy, Organisation of Health and Safety. This document sets out the responsibilities of all staff for health and safety, whether in a supervisory capacity or not. Policy section 3 (arrangements for Health and Safety) provides an overview of training for competence in Health and Safety matters.
HOSPICE IDENTITY BADGES: Hospice ID badges must be worn at all times whilst on duty.
SMOKING:The hospice acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, for its employees, service users and visitors. Smoking is therefore not permitted at any point whilst on duty, in accordance with the guidelines set down within the Hospice No Smoking Policy.
REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE/CODE OF CONDUCT:
All employees who are required to register with a professional body to enable them to practice within their profession are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration.
WORKING TIME REGULATIONS:The Working Time Regulations 1998 require that you should not work more than an average of 48 hours in each week. For example, in a 26 week period you should work no more than 1248 hours.
Person Specification
Hospice Values
Essential
- Compassionate we are a caring team, kind to each other and put the needs of individuals and their loved ones at the heart of what we do.
- Collaborative we value working in partnership across our communities and are proactive about nurturing relationships with our stakeholders.
- Creative we are forward-thinking, adaptable in our changing world and embrace change and innovative ways of working.
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Health Care qualification with significant post registration experience RGN or HCPC registration (as an Allied Health Professional, or Paramedic
- Oncology/Palliative Care Qualification /Relevant Skills/Experience in Palliative Care
- Minimal 5 years post qualification experience
- Non-Medical Prescriber or willing to undertake
Desirable
- Teaching qualification/experience Level 3 and above
- Degree or equivalent experience or willingness to undertake
- Non-Medical Prescriber or willing to undertake
Other Requirements
Essential
- Efficiency to travel around a designated areas of work and flexibility to work in a 24/7 service
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of current issues in specialist palliative care and equity of access
- Flexible approach to team working and an awareness of team dynamics/behaviours
- Ability to work as part of a team both within the hospice MDT, community ICBs and acute specialist palliative care team
- Ability to assess situations comprehensively and decisive planning of care
- Motivated and enthusiastic willingness to develop advanced clinical skills
- 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
- IT knowledge and use of electronic based records awareness of confidentially and GDPR
- Significant experience at Band 6/equivalent senior level - in palliative care or another associated speciality
Desirable
- Awareness of expectations around role modelling and sharing knowledge re - end of life care to all professional colleagues
- Effective and clear communication skills both written and verbal
- Community-based experience and awareness of autonomous working expectations
Person Specification
Hospice Values
Essential
- Compassionate we are a caring team, kind to each other and put the needs of individuals and their loved ones at the heart of what we do.
- Collaborative we value working in partnership across our communities and are proactive about nurturing relationships with our stakeholders.
- Creative we are forward-thinking, adaptable in our changing world and embrace change and innovative ways of working.
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Health Care qualification with significant post registration experience RGN or HCPC registration (as an Allied Health Professional, or Paramedic
- Oncology/Palliative Care Qualification /Relevant Skills/Experience in Palliative Care
- Minimal 5 years post qualification experience
- Non-Medical Prescriber or willing to undertake
Desirable
- Teaching qualification/experience Level 3 and above
- Degree or equivalent experience or willingness to undertake
- Non-Medical Prescriber or willing to undertake
Other Requirements
Essential
- Efficiency to travel around a designated areas of work and flexibility to work in a 24/7 service
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of current issues in specialist palliative care and equity of access
- Flexible approach to team working and an awareness of team dynamics/behaviours
- Ability to work as part of a team both within the hospice MDT, community ICBs and acute specialist palliative care team
- Ability to assess situations comprehensively and decisive planning of care
- Motivated and enthusiastic willingness to develop advanced clinical skills
- 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
- IT knowledge and use of electronic based records awareness of confidentially and GDPR
- Significant experience at Band 6/equivalent senior level - in palliative care or another associated speciality
Desirable
- Awareness of expectations around role modelling and sharing knowledge re - end of life care to all professional colleagues
- Effective and clear communication skills both written and verbal
- Community-based experience and awareness of autonomous working expectations
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).
Additional information
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).
