Job summary
We are looking to recruit Registered Nurses to our small team of bank staff. If you are able to offer flexibility and are available to work, on occasions, at quite short notice we would love to hear from you. Applications are currently open to those who would like to work on the Inpatient Unit or within the Community Team, please specify on your application where you would prefer to work.
Your role will be to provide skilled nursing care for patients with palliative and end of life care needs and their family within the main services of St Johns Hospice >>
- St Johns Hospice Inpatient Unit cares for adult patients and their families, providing 24-hour specialist palliative care for symptom management for life shortening illnesses as well as end of life care.
- St Johns Hospice Community Services cares for adult patients who are looked after in their own homes. Our service covers the whole of North Lancashire, South Lakeland, Cumbria and includes parts of North Yorkshire, and visits may be anywhere in this catchment area.
St Johns Hospice is a local charity which provides free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions. Our services cover a population area of 250,000 people in North Lancashire, South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire. We have been caring for our community every minute of every day since 1986.
St Johns Hospice is rated outstanding by CQC and we have an excellent reputation within our community.
Main duties of the job
JOB PURPOSE
- To provide skilled nursing care for patients with palliative and end of life care needs and their family
within the main services of St Johns Hospice, including Community Services, Inpatient Unit and
Day Therapies.
- To contribute to the raising of clinical standards and promoting a learning environment for other
Healthcare providers.
- To be responsible for planning, assessing, implementing and evaluating patient care.
- To support and direct Healthcare Assistants and Assistant Practitioners in implementing
individualised plans of care. To support and contribute to an environment of continuous quality
improvement.
- To work in the clinical areas for the duration of a clinical shift and proactively participate within the
team of Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and volunteers, according to the changing needs of the
patients and families in that area.
- To support and contribute to an environment of continuous quality improvement.
About us
St John's Hospice is a well established and respected local charity, and we offer free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions both in our inpatient unit and through our community services.
Our Inpatient unit and Community Services are led by experienced and supportive Clinical Management Teams. Our patients and their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do, and you would play a key part in a patients journey through a difficult time in their lives.
Having a life shortening condition does not mean that quality of daily life should suffer. Our experienced team of nurses work together with our patients to make sure they are getting the care and support they need to live their life the way they want to, as much as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Ward Services and / or Head of Community Services
Hours: Variable (as and when required)
MAIN DUTIES
- Participate in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based nursing care for
patients and their families.
- Provide support, information and advice to patients, families and professional colleagues.
- Develop knowledge in symptom management.
- Supervise the work of junior members of the team, student nurses and volunteers.
Clinical- Work with the multidisciplinary team/external teams involved in the total holistic care of patients and
families integrating nursing care with their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
- Assess the individual needs of the patient and families and be professionally accountable whilst
complying with policies, procedures and current legislation.
- Ensure the safe custody, ordering, administration and disposal of drugs in accordance with relevant
Hospice policy and procedure. Ensure all errors are reported to the Director of Nursing and Quality
and RN in charge of the ward at that time
- Demonstrate personal clinical competence and expertise in palliative care.
- Participate in progress reviews of nursing care and team work at regular intervals.
- Provide competent care in venepucture, cannulation, verification of expected death, male
catheterisation and intravenous care where competence has been proven and verified.
- Ensure up to date, accurate patient healthcare records at all times, which are completed with the
patient and familys support and knowledge.
- Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially with regard to patients and
staff.
- Be a co-operative and supportive member of the St. Johns Hospice staff team, ensuring that all
members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload, which may affect other members of
the St. Johns Hospice team.
Communication- Participate in professional discussions as appropriate and act as a patient advocate when required.
- Update members of the MDT regarding patient situations as required, ensuring care is patient centred.
- Promote a multidisciplinary approach to patient care by contributing and communicating effectively
with the team.
- Participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
- Proactively lead on patient discharges and ensuring effective communication with the
multidisciplinary team takes place to promote a seamless discharge process and/or admission.
- Support the completion of continuing Healthcare checklists and fast track documentation to ensure
patient transfers are timely and co-ordinated
- Use communication and interpersonal skills to communicate difficult or sensitive information to
patient, families, carers and staff.
Ensure patients and families are aware of treatment plans and aims whilst being cared for by the
Hospice team.
Management- Manage and maintain a safe clinical environment utilising allocated resources safely and effectively.
- Ensure competency in the use and function of equipment and report any malfunctions immediately,
ensuring patient safety at all times.
- Lead and co-ordinate shifts, when competence is proven and verified, managing the team of
Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistant ensuring patients and their families receive the highest
standard of care.
- Work within the night shift service (with support from the on-call Doctors and management),
ensuring patients are safe and receive 24 hour care in the ward setting.
- Be aware of and adhere to the Hospice policies and procedures and act at all times with the NMC
standards, Code of Conduct and guidelines.
- Report any issues to your line manager at the earliest opportunity.
- Contribute to practice development and specific clinical governance projects.
- Liaise with the community teams in the management and delivery of shared care for patients.
Education and Development- Develop and maintain relevant knowledge and skills and be responsible for own continuing
professional development.
- Participate in the appraisal system and agree a personal development plan with the line manager in
line with the Hospice strategy, personal needs and requirements of the post. This will include
mandatory training needs which must be completed & will be achieved through a variety of
processes including regular 1-2-1s with Line Managers or senior colleagues, annual appraisal and
development reviews.
- Provide mentor support to new staff, students and volunteers.
- Attend Hospice education sessions relevant to the post-holders educational needs.
- Co-operating fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate.
- To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold St Johns core values whilst working for
the Hospice.
- Use opportunities to extend clinical and professional knowledge as considered appropriate and in
discussion with the Head of Community Services, Head of Inpatient Unit or Director of Nursing and
Quality.
- Accept accountability for own clinical practice and maintain and continue professional development.
- Promote a questioning and analytical approach to health care delivery.
- St Johns Hospice has a requirement to undertake the safe driving training where applicable.
Audit- To contribute to the development and implementation of evidence based practice.
- Support audits undertaken on the unit when required
- Respond to initial complaints from patient/family and report to senior staff.
- Report any near misses, accidents or incidents as per Hospice policy.
Other- To be an ambassador for St Johns Hospice and its vision and values.
- To be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 2016 and follow codes
of practice to ensure safeguarding of confidential information.
- To undertake other duties appropriate to the role as agreed with the Director of Nursing and Quality.
- To be willing to embrace development opportunities as they arise
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Ward Services and / or Head of Community Services
Hours: Variable (as and when required)
MAIN DUTIES
- Participate in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based nursing care for
patients and their families.
- Provide support, information and advice to patients, families and professional colleagues.
- Develop knowledge in symptom management.
- Supervise the work of junior members of the team, student nurses and volunteers.
Clinical- Work with the multidisciplinary team/external teams involved in the total holistic care of patients and
families integrating nursing care with their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
- Assess the individual needs of the patient and families and be professionally accountable whilst
complying with policies, procedures and current legislation.
- Ensure the safe custody, ordering, administration and disposal of drugs in accordance with relevant
Hospice policy and procedure. Ensure all errors are reported to the Director of Nursing and Quality
and RN in charge of the ward at that time
- Demonstrate personal clinical competence and expertise in palliative care.
- Participate in progress reviews of nursing care and team work at regular intervals.
- Provide competent care in venepucture, cannulation, verification of expected death, male
catheterisation and intravenous care where competence has been proven and verified.
- Ensure up to date, accurate patient healthcare records at all times, which are completed with the
patient and familys support and knowledge.
- Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially with regard to patients and
staff.
- Be a co-operative and supportive member of the St. Johns Hospice staff team, ensuring that all
members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload, which may affect other members of
the St. Johns Hospice team.
Communication- Participate in professional discussions as appropriate and act as a patient advocate when required.
- Update members of the MDT regarding patient situations as required, ensuring care is patient centred.
- Promote a multidisciplinary approach to patient care by contributing and communicating effectively
with the team.
- Participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
- Proactively lead on patient discharges and ensuring effective communication with the
multidisciplinary team takes place to promote a seamless discharge process and/or admission.
- Support the completion of continuing Healthcare checklists and fast track documentation to ensure
patient transfers are timely and co-ordinated
- Use communication and interpersonal skills to communicate difficult or sensitive information to
patient, families, carers and staff.
Ensure patients and families are aware of treatment plans and aims whilst being cared for by the
Hospice team.
Management- Manage and maintain a safe clinical environment utilising allocated resources safely and effectively.
- Ensure competency in the use and function of equipment and report any malfunctions immediately,
ensuring patient safety at all times.
- Lead and co-ordinate shifts, when competence is proven and verified, managing the team of
Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistant ensuring patients and their families receive the highest
standard of care.
- Work within the night shift service (with support from the on-call Doctors and management),
ensuring patients are safe and receive 24 hour care in the ward setting.
- Be aware of and adhere to the Hospice policies and procedures and act at all times with the NMC
standards, Code of Conduct and guidelines.
- Report any issues to your line manager at the earliest opportunity.
- Contribute to practice development and specific clinical governance projects.
- Liaise with the community teams in the management and delivery of shared care for patients.
Education and Development- Develop and maintain relevant knowledge and skills and be responsible for own continuing
professional development.
- Participate in the appraisal system and agree a personal development plan with the line manager in
line with the Hospice strategy, personal needs and requirements of the post. This will include
mandatory training needs which must be completed & will be achieved through a variety of
processes including regular 1-2-1s with Line Managers or senior colleagues, annual appraisal and
development reviews.
- Provide mentor support to new staff, students and volunteers.
- Attend Hospice education sessions relevant to the post-holders educational needs.
- Co-operating fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate.
- To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold St Johns core values whilst working for
the Hospice.
- Use opportunities to extend clinical and professional knowledge as considered appropriate and in
discussion with the Head of Community Services, Head of Inpatient Unit or Director of Nursing and
Quality.
- Accept accountability for own clinical practice and maintain and continue professional development.
- Promote a questioning and analytical approach to health care delivery.
- St Johns Hospice has a requirement to undertake the safe driving training where applicable.
Audit- To contribute to the development and implementation of evidence based practice.
- Support audits undertaken on the unit when required
- Respond to initial complaints from patient/family and report to senior staff.
- Report any near misses, accidents or incidents as per Hospice policy.
Other- To be an ambassador for St Johns Hospice and its vision and values.
- To be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 2016 and follow codes
of practice to ensure safeguarding of confidential information.
- To undertake other duties appropriate to the role as agreed with the Director of Nursing and Quality.
- To be willing to embrace development opportunities as they arise
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Diploma in Health Studies.
- Qualifications in teaching and assessing, oncology, palliative care.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Several months / years post registration experience in an acute ward or community setting.
Desirable
- Palliative Care experience.
- Multidisciplinary working.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Evidence of good written and oral communication skills.
- Confident in basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
Desirable
- Clinical Audit.
- Mentorship.
- Management experience.
- Confident in electronic patient records.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Commitment to provide high standards of patient care.
- Self-motivated, commitment to principle of life-long learning.
- Able to work independently and in a team.
- Professional attitude and behaviour.
- Flexible and available to work at short notice.
- Demonstrate values and ethos of the Hospice.
Other (COMMUNITY SERVICES ONLY)
Essential
- Full UK driving licence (manual transmission). Access to own vehicle during working hours (Business use insurance required).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Diploma in Health Studies.
- Qualifications in teaching and assessing, oncology, palliative care.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Several months / years post registration experience in an acute ward or community setting.
Desirable
- Palliative Care experience.
- Multidisciplinary working.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Evidence of good written and oral communication skills.
- Confident in basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
Desirable
- Clinical Audit.
- Mentorship.
- Management experience.
- Confident in electronic patient records.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Commitment to provide high standards of patient care.
- Self-motivated, commitment to principle of life-long learning.
- Able to work independently and in a team.
- Professional attitude and behaviour.
- Flexible and available to work at short notice.
- Demonstrate values and ethos of the Hospice.
Other (COMMUNITY SERVICES ONLY)
Essential
- Full UK driving licence (manual transmission). Access to own vehicle during working hours (Business use insurance required).
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).
