Job summary
This role matters: We have a unique opportunity for an ambitious and strategic individual to join our Community Services team on a job share basis. You will be joining an experienced and supportive multi-disciplinary team, who put patients and families at the heart of everything they do, ensuring that on the journey towards the end of life, we provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
The majority of the people we care for are looked after in their own home, in the community with many people choosing to spend their last weeks or days at home. The Community team is made up of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Sisters, Senior Registered Nurses and Senior Health Care Assistants, providing 24-hour specialist care and support to patients and their loved ones.
Our Community Team work closely with the Hospice Inpatient Ward, Medical Team, as well as the District Nursing teams and GPs, making sure palliative patients have the extra attention and specialist care they need. Our service works alongside them, not instead of them.
- This role is for 3 full days per week (days negotiable), as a job share.
- Care is provided from Grasmere to Garstang and from Sedbergh to Morecambe including remote areas. It is essential you hold a full UK manual driving license with access to a vehicle during working hours.
If you are looking to take on a role where every day you can see the difference you have made to peoples lives, come and join us.
Main duties of the job
Job purpose
- Develop, lead and manage the Hospice at Home response and respite community service ensuring
our strategic vision to reach more people in their own homes is achieved (Hospice at Home, Night-sitting and day respite services)
- Have 24-hour responsibility and accountability for the provision of specialist palliative nursing
services delivered by St Johns Hospice in the community (Clinical Nurse Specialists)
- Provide clinical and professional leadership and management for all services, ensuring that patient
care and experience is equitable, holistic, and of an excellent standard.
Informal discussions and enquiries are welcome, just call and speak to our team.
About us
St Johns exists to promote and provide skilled and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality. The Hospice provides care in a variety of settings, directly serving our local communities from Grasmere to Garstang and from Sedbergh to Morecambe. The Hospice is rated outstanding by CQC and we have an excellent reputation within our local community.
Hospice
care at St Johns is provided free of charge.
The NHS contributes 30% of the Hospices annual running costs,
the remaining being obtained via the generosity of the public.
What we do
St
Johns Hospice provides Specialist Palliative Care services and support to
those affected by life-shortening illnesses.
These currently include:-
- In-patient
care, currently 13 beds
- Provision
of community specialist palliative care through a combined team of Clinical
Nurse Specialists, our Hospice at Home Team and our night sitting and day
respite services
- Specialist
clinics with a Consultant in palliative medicine
- Lymphoedema
clinics and service
- Education
for community GPs, nurses, undergraduates (nursing, medical and allied health
professionals)
- Bereavement
and family support
- Complementary
Therapy
To
provide these services, the Hospice employs around 220 staff and is well supported by our dedicated volunteers.
The
Hospice does not currently provide respite care or long-term care for
patients. We aim to assess and manage
patients symptoms in order for them to return home wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES
Service Development and Strategic Work
- Develop the response and respite service so that the Hospices operational objectives and strategic
vision for reaching more people in their own homes is achieved.
- Ensure that services are continually reviewed and adjusted to meet patients need and choice
ensuring a culture of patient involvement and engagement through surveys and other mediums.
- Ensure all services work seamlessly as one team, with visits provided by the most appropriate clinical
staff at the right time.
- Lead on ensuring a shared caseload exists between all Hospice community services, with the team
members collaborating effectively with other community services to ensure robust palliative and end
of life care is given to all patients and families at all times.
- Ensure up to date knowledge of local and national standards of care and be able to support the
Director of Nursing & Quality to develop strategic work within the Hospice.
- Meet regularly with the Director of Nursing & Quality and Medical Director to report on and discuss
service developments.
- As a member of the Clinical and Hospice Management Teams, participate in the development and
implementation of the Hospice Strategy, vision and values
Leadership and departmental management- Have overall responsibility for the department, its services, staff and staffing levels, acting as a
resource for patients, carers, staff and non-specialist groups of staff.
- Delegate responsibilities to the community management team.
- Lead and manage the team ensuring the right skills and capabilities are in place to deliver the strategic
goals shared with partners.
- Ensure team registered nurse members adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct in the
performance of nursing duties and are professionally accountable for their actions whilst on duty.
- Ensure the delivery of defined and agreed nursing standards within the department in line with
relevant national regional hospice specialist palliative care standards.
- Be responsible for the recruitment, selection and management of staff within the department.
- Monitor the workload of staff ensuring work is fairly allocated, forecasting demand for the service
and ensuring sufficient resources are in place, to deliver high quality care within the departmental
budget.
- Conduct regular team meetings to provide support and information, and foster two-way
communication between all members of the team.
- Ensure all activities within the department are consistent with the Hospices Policies & Procedures.
- Ensure the team work in accordance with community policies and St Johns Hospice policy for the
management and administration of medications in the community.
- Facilitate the personal and professional development of individual team members to produce a
cohesive and effective working team, enabling staff to contribute to the delivery of high-quality
person-centred care.
- Ensure the collection of accurate data for service activity and evaluation.
- Produce reports for clinical operations and Health and Safety meetings in a timely manner.
- Provide leadership that enables professional decision making and effective team working.
- Ensure all of the team achieve compliance with mandatory, statutory and professional education and
training requirements.
- Promote the health and wellbeing of staff and observe for any signs of ill health or stress, taking
appropriate action in line with St. Johns Hospice policies, and HR advice.
- Ensure all staff work to their potential, giving person-centred care at all times to the patient and their
family, supporting equality and diversity and support staff through the performance management
process if they are not fulfilling their potential.
- Participate in the Hospices annual appraisal programme undertaking these with team members and
assisting them to formulate their personal objectives in line with the Hospice objectives, as well as
ensuring appropriate reviews of all team members.
- Ensure all staff are able to attend regular Clinical Supervision sessions, and safeguarding supervision
for RNs, encouraging resilience and team building.
- Undertake management of short term persistent or long-term sickness absence, with the support of
the Head of HR, reporting any issues to the Director of Nursing and Quality.
- Ensure an accurate record of annual leave entitlement; leave booked and taken is maintained via
Cascade (HR Management System).
- Participate in the induction and orientation of new members of the team, ensuring clear aims,
objectives and competencies are put in place, reviewed and met.
- Participate in the Hospices education programme and support staff to do the same, ensuring
relevant and credible experience is shared.
Clinical- Demonstrate palliative care knowledge in clinical work and through advising staff.
- Be the non-medical prescribing lead for the Hospice, linking with UHMBT NMP lead for support and
up to date information.
- Maintain and develop own clinical skills by working clinically for a minimum of 2 days per month.
- Adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct in the performance of nursing duties and to be
professionally accountable for all actions while on duty.
- Foster and maintain effective communications and promote collaborative working relationships with
other professionals and formal carers providing relevant information about patients needs, clinical
knowledge and shared goals to improve EOL care and provision in the Hospice setting.
- Monitor referrals to the service ensuring effective and efficient acceptance of patients, liaising with
referrers and the hospice MDT
- Ensure that an agreed specialist palliative plan of care is available for each patient and that patient
participation is encouraged, whenever possible.
- Ensure an approach in palliative care that minimises risk and maximises clinical effectiveness.
- Be responsible for ensuring Infection Control guidelines are maintained in community settings.
- Ensure all incidents are reported via the online Incident Reporting system. Additionally, high level
incidents to be reported direct to Director of Nursing & Quality. Ensure all incidents are reviewed,
actions carried out and lessons learned disseminated.
- Ensure safeguarding processes are followed when there are any such concerns for patients and
families.
- Ensure that all communication is within the boundaries of client confidentiality, and to seek guidance
when unsure.
- Ensure the principles of MCA s are followed by the team as appropriate.
- Work in collaboration with patients as experts in their own care, promoting the principles of choice
and individualised patient care, including Advanced Care Planning, to value and empower them as
service users. Report changes in condition to the relevant MDT staff, and review plans of care.
- Respond to questions or concerns from service users, carers, and staff in a timely and professional
manner.
- Be a role model and source of clinical expertise for all MDT colleagues.
- Ensure effective record keeping and documentation meet GDPR requirements so that data is
accurate and supportive to present and future needs of the hospice services.
- Ensure that procedures are in place and adhered to for the safe custody, ordering, administration
and disposal of drugs in accordance with community procedures.
Governance
- Be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of agreed clinical policies and
procedures, ensuring that review and regular update is undertaken in line with the changing and
developing service.
- Maintain a sound working knowledge of the legislation, policy and guidance necessary to care
effectively for people with palliative care needs and their family.
- Be responsible for implementing relevant changes in the Hospice, in discussion with the Medical
Director and Director of Nursing & Quality.
- Attend relevant clinical meetings and disseminate information to staff in the department. Arrange
for a deputy from the team to attend in your absence.
- Play a key role in the SJH Governance Programme, participating in, and supporting research and audit
both within the Hospice, regionally and nationally.
- Contribute to Clinical Governance and the fundamentals of care via service improvement initiatives
to improve standards of specialist care by developing practice to ensure that patients and carers have
a quality experience, and to reduce risk and increase safety for staff and patients.
- Update the departments risk assessments twice yearly and make sure the actions to reduce risk are
implemented at all times.
- Take an active role in quality assurance initiatives, including the setting and auditing of standards,
and implementing resulting action plans.
- Be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, and follow codes of practice
to ensure safeguarding of confidential information.
- Lead the team in ensuring that individual risk assessments and care plans for all patients are
completed effectively and reviewed on a regular basis involving patients and carers wherever
possible and appropriate.
- In co-operation with the Hospice service user policy develop systems to support user feedback.
- Ensure safe and effective use of equipment, ensuring the process for introducing new medical
devices is followed.
- Manage and investigate service complaints, reporting findings and any formal action required or
taken.
- Promote a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the team, to enhance person-centred care.
- Create an environment that supports life-long learning.
- Working with the Director of Nursing and Quality, ensure that the Hospice complies with Care Quality
Commission standards, developing and ensuring the implementation of any action plans necessary
to address recommendations following inspections.
- Professional Development, Education & Audit - please see uploaded job description
- OTHER- please see uploaded job description
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES
Service Development and Strategic Work
- Develop the response and respite service so that the Hospices operational objectives and strategic
vision for reaching more people in their own homes is achieved.
- Ensure that services are continually reviewed and adjusted to meet patients need and choice
ensuring a culture of patient involvement and engagement through surveys and other mediums.
- Ensure all services work seamlessly as one team, with visits provided by the most appropriate clinical
staff at the right time.
- Lead on ensuring a shared caseload exists between all Hospice community services, with the team
members collaborating effectively with other community services to ensure robust palliative and end
of life care is given to all patients and families at all times.
- Ensure up to date knowledge of local and national standards of care and be able to support the
Director of Nursing & Quality to develop strategic work within the Hospice.
- Meet regularly with the Director of Nursing & Quality and Medical Director to report on and discuss
service developments.
- As a member of the Clinical and Hospice Management Teams, participate in the development and
implementation of the Hospice Strategy, vision and values
Leadership and departmental management- Have overall responsibility for the department, its services, staff and staffing levels, acting as a
resource for patients, carers, staff and non-specialist groups of staff.
- Delegate responsibilities to the community management team.
- Lead and manage the team ensuring the right skills and capabilities are in place to deliver the strategic
goals shared with partners.
- Ensure team registered nurse members adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct in the
performance of nursing duties and are professionally accountable for their actions whilst on duty.
- Ensure the delivery of defined and agreed nursing standards within the department in line with
relevant national regional hospice specialist palliative care standards.
- Be responsible for the recruitment, selection and management of staff within the department.
- Monitor the workload of staff ensuring work is fairly allocated, forecasting demand for the service
and ensuring sufficient resources are in place, to deliver high quality care within the departmental
budget.
- Conduct regular team meetings to provide support and information, and foster two-way
communication between all members of the team.
- Ensure all activities within the department are consistent with the Hospices Policies & Procedures.
- Ensure the team work in accordance with community policies and St Johns Hospice policy for the
management and administration of medications in the community.
- Facilitate the personal and professional development of individual team members to produce a
cohesive and effective working team, enabling staff to contribute to the delivery of high-quality
person-centred care.
- Ensure the collection of accurate data for service activity and evaluation.
- Produce reports for clinical operations and Health and Safety meetings in a timely manner.
- Provide leadership that enables professional decision making and effective team working.
- Ensure all of the team achieve compliance with mandatory, statutory and professional education and
training requirements.
- Promote the health and wellbeing of staff and observe for any signs of ill health or stress, taking
appropriate action in line with St. Johns Hospice policies, and HR advice.
- Ensure all staff work to their potential, giving person-centred care at all times to the patient and their
family, supporting equality and diversity and support staff through the performance management
process if they are not fulfilling their potential.
- Participate in the Hospices annual appraisal programme undertaking these with team members and
assisting them to formulate their personal objectives in line with the Hospice objectives, as well as
ensuring appropriate reviews of all team members.
- Ensure all staff are able to attend regular Clinical Supervision sessions, and safeguarding supervision
for RNs, encouraging resilience and team building.
- Undertake management of short term persistent or long-term sickness absence, with the support of
the Head of HR, reporting any issues to the Director of Nursing and Quality.
- Ensure an accurate record of annual leave entitlement; leave booked and taken is maintained via
Cascade (HR Management System).
- Participate in the induction and orientation of new members of the team, ensuring clear aims,
objectives and competencies are put in place, reviewed and met.
- Participate in the Hospices education programme and support staff to do the same, ensuring
relevant and credible experience is shared.
Clinical- Demonstrate palliative care knowledge in clinical work and through advising staff.
- Be the non-medical prescribing lead for the Hospice, linking with UHMBT NMP lead for support and
up to date information.
- Maintain and develop own clinical skills by working clinically for a minimum of 2 days per month.
- Adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct in the performance of nursing duties and to be
professionally accountable for all actions while on duty.
- Foster and maintain effective communications and promote collaborative working relationships with
other professionals and formal carers providing relevant information about patients needs, clinical
knowledge and shared goals to improve EOL care and provision in the Hospice setting.
- Monitor referrals to the service ensuring effective and efficient acceptance of patients, liaising with
referrers and the hospice MDT
- Ensure that an agreed specialist palliative plan of care is available for each patient and that patient
participation is encouraged, whenever possible.
- Ensure an approach in palliative care that minimises risk and maximises clinical effectiveness.
- Be responsible for ensuring Infection Control guidelines are maintained in community settings.
- Ensure all incidents are reported via the online Incident Reporting system. Additionally, high level
incidents to be reported direct to Director of Nursing & Quality. Ensure all incidents are reviewed,
actions carried out and lessons learned disseminated.
- Ensure safeguarding processes are followed when there are any such concerns for patients and
families.
- Ensure that all communication is within the boundaries of client confidentiality, and to seek guidance
when unsure.
- Ensure the principles of MCA s are followed by the team as appropriate.
- Work in collaboration with patients as experts in their own care, promoting the principles of choice
and individualised patient care, including Advanced Care Planning, to value and empower them as
service users. Report changes in condition to the relevant MDT staff, and review plans of care.
- Respond to questions or concerns from service users, carers, and staff in a timely and professional
manner.
- Be a role model and source of clinical expertise for all MDT colleagues.
- Ensure effective record keeping and documentation meet GDPR requirements so that data is
accurate and supportive to present and future needs of the hospice services.
- Ensure that procedures are in place and adhered to for the safe custody, ordering, administration
and disposal of drugs in accordance with community procedures.
Governance
- Be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of agreed clinical policies and
procedures, ensuring that review and regular update is undertaken in line with the changing and
developing service.
- Maintain a sound working knowledge of the legislation, policy and guidance necessary to care
effectively for people with palliative care needs and their family.
- Be responsible for implementing relevant changes in the Hospice, in discussion with the Medical
Director and Director of Nursing & Quality.
- Attend relevant clinical meetings and disseminate information to staff in the department. Arrange
for a deputy from the team to attend in your absence.
- Play a key role in the SJH Governance Programme, participating in, and supporting research and audit
both within the Hospice, regionally and nationally.
- Contribute to Clinical Governance and the fundamentals of care via service improvement initiatives
to improve standards of specialist care by developing practice to ensure that patients and carers have
a quality experience, and to reduce risk and increase safety for staff and patients.
- Update the departments risk assessments twice yearly and make sure the actions to reduce risk are
implemented at all times.
- Take an active role in quality assurance initiatives, including the setting and auditing of standards,
and implementing resulting action plans.
- Be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, and follow codes of practice
to ensure safeguarding of confidential information.
- Lead the team in ensuring that individual risk assessments and care plans for all patients are
completed effectively and reviewed on a regular basis involving patients and carers wherever
possible and appropriate.
- In co-operation with the Hospice service user policy develop systems to support user feedback.
- Ensure safe and effective use of equipment, ensuring the process for introducing new medical
devices is followed.
- Manage and investigate service complaints, reporting findings and any formal action required or
taken.
- Promote a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the team, to enhance person-centred care.
- Create an environment that supports life-long learning.
- Working with the Director of Nursing and Quality, ensure that the Hospice complies with Care Quality
Commission standards, developing and ensuring the implementation of any action plans necessary
to address recommendations following inspections.
- Professional Development, Education & Audit - please see uploaded job description
- OTHER- please see uploaded job description
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post-registration experience, minimum 2 years in a palliative care setting, preferably a hospice.
- Evidence of innovative practice/vision.
- Experience as a manager in a health care setting with responsibility for leading, directing and monitoring the daily activities of others and facilitating their career development.
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit.
- Experience of working in a community setting.
- Experience as a non-medical prescriber.
- Experience of report writing.
Desirable
- Working with volunteers.
- Experience as a Non-medical prescribing lead.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, at all levels.
- Ability to think strategically and to develop relevant strategies and policies.
- Evidence of teaching, presentation and facilitation skills.
- Evidence of leadership and managerial skills and knowledge, e.g. HR.
- Able to use own initiative and deal with challenging situations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and balance priorities.
- Ability to initiate, manage and implement change, including promotion of evidence-based practice.
- Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Full UK manual Driving Licence.
- Knowledge of managing safeguarding in the community setting.
Desirable
- Principles and practice of specialist palliative care.
- Clinical Supervision experience.
- Experience of EMIS.
- Safeguarding supervision.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse (1st level).
- Relevant nursing degree level qualification or working towards this.
- Palliative care qualification.
- Non-medical prescribing qualification.
Desirable
- Management qualification.
- Master's Degree.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Fully committed to the aims of St Johns Hospice.
- Resilient, impartial decision maker.
- Evidence of honesty, reliability and enthusiasm in work settings.
- Sensitive, approachable and perceptive.
- Calm and confident with an ability to show resilience in stressful situations.
- Flexible.
- Act as an ambassador for Hospice services, undertaking fundraising and public speaking duties as required.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post-registration experience, minimum 2 years in a palliative care setting, preferably a hospice.
- Evidence of innovative practice/vision.
- Experience as a manager in a health care setting with responsibility for leading, directing and monitoring the daily activities of others and facilitating their career development.
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit.
- Experience of working in a community setting.
- Experience as a non-medical prescriber.
- Experience of report writing.
Desirable
- Working with volunteers.
- Experience as a Non-medical prescribing lead.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, at all levels.
- Ability to think strategically and to develop relevant strategies and policies.
- Evidence of teaching, presentation and facilitation skills.
- Evidence of leadership and managerial skills and knowledge, e.g. HR.
- Able to use own initiative and deal with challenging situations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and balance priorities.
- Ability to initiate, manage and implement change, including promotion of evidence-based practice.
- Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Full UK manual Driving Licence.
- Knowledge of managing safeguarding in the community setting.
Desirable
- Principles and practice of specialist palliative care.
- Clinical Supervision experience.
- Experience of EMIS.
- Safeguarding supervision.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse (1st level).
- Relevant nursing degree level qualification or working towards this.
- Palliative care qualification.
- Non-medical prescribing qualification.
Desirable
- Management qualification.
- Master's Degree.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Fully committed to the aims of St Johns Hospice.
- Resilient, impartial decision maker.
- Evidence of honesty, reliability and enthusiasm in work settings.
- Sensitive, approachable and perceptive.
- Calm and confident with an ability to show resilience in stressful situations.
- Flexible.
- Act as an ambassador for Hospice services, undertaking fundraising and public speaking duties as 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).
