Job summary
The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will be a core member of a multidisciplinary team, providing direct/indirect specialist palliative care support and advice to clinicians, patients, and carers across the trust.
The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will manage and support complex specialist palliative care within the hospital setting led by the lead nurse and consultant nurse for the service, and alongside the palliative medicine consultant / clinical lead for end of life care trust wide.
The post holder will act as a specialist resource to the core multidisciplinary team, extended teams including clinical and non-clinical staff across the trust 7 days per week.
The post holder will assess, plan, prescribe and evaluate the psychological, physical, social, emotional and cultural needs of palliative care patients and their families using research-based evidence to support their practice always.
The CNS will have continuing responsibility for the co-ordination and organisation of individual treatment programmes for patients from time of referral to discharge from the service or discharge home.
Please note a band 6 may be offered to a candidate if they do not meet the criteria for a band 7 but do meet the criteria for a band 6 post.
Main duties of the job
The CNS will work as an independent autonomous practitioner to provide both practical and emotional support for patients and their carers throughout the care pathway. Patient advocacy and influencing decision making within the context of managing complex specialist palliative care is key.
The CNS will be involved in breaking bad news to patients and their families and offering continued emotional support to in- patients and families.
The CNS will keep up to date with certain clinical techniques such as setting up continuous sub-cutaneous infusions and be able to advise/assist in these procedures when required.
The CNS will be aware of the ethical issues in relation to palliative and end of life care and be willing to act as the advocate for the patient when appropriate.
The CNS will promote liaison between the hospital, primary care and the local hospices to achieve preferred place of care and safe discharges of patients especially those at the end of life.
Maintain accurate electronic and or manual clinical, patient and other records as required, ensuring that all documentation adheres to the trust's standards.
To ensure all clinical practice is evidence based, drawing on published literature and policy guidelines.
Be able to empathetically communicate complex or sensitive information to patients and their families in highly emotive situations
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 695,000 people.
Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'.
We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
The Trust is committed to supporting flexible working to fulfil our pledge as part of The Trust's People Strategy to help staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Please speak with your Recruiting Manager for further information and opportunities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Registered nurse with a significant post registration experience.
- Experience working at band 6 level with experience in a specialist palliative care setting or can demonstrate equivalent experience skills and knowledge.
- Experience in holistic management of patients and carers
Desirable
- 1-year experience at band 6 in a specialist palliative care setting
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to practice autonomously, planning and implementing care for patients with complex symptom control needs.
- Advanced communication skills.
- Proven communication skills written and oral
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Excellent Education and training skills
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Good leadership / influencing and change management skills.
- Good IT skills
Desirable
- Project management.
- Report writing.
- Chair meetings
- Bereavement and psychological support skills
- Research Skills
- Non Medical prescribing skills
- Able to facilitate education and training programmes
- Experience in mentoring others.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse on the NMC register
- Diploma or degree in relevant speciality
- Relevant palliative courses which underpin practice
- Advanced communications course
Desirable
- MSc in Palliative or advanced nursing practice or willing to undertake course
- Teaching qualification or experience
- Management / leadership courses
- Non-medical prescribing
other
Essential
- To have a comprehensive understanding of the trust values and behaviour in relation to self and others
- Effective team working and conflict management skills
- Able to work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary team work.
- Good awareness and understanding of the wider health economy and priorities for palliative and end of life care both in local and national strategy.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Registered nurse with a significant post registration experience.
- Experience working at band 6 level with experience in a specialist palliative care setting or can demonstrate equivalent experience skills and knowledge.
- Experience in holistic management of patients and carers
Desirable
- 1-year experience at band 6 in a specialist palliative care setting
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to practice autonomously, planning and implementing care for patients with complex symptom control needs.
- Advanced communication skills.
- Proven communication skills written and oral
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Excellent Education and training skills
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Good leadership / influencing and change management skills.
- Good IT skills
Desirable
- Project management.
- Report writing.
- Chair meetings
- Bereavement and psychological support skills
- Research Skills
- Non Medical prescribing skills
- Able to facilitate education and training programmes
- Experience in mentoring others.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse on the NMC register
- Diploma or degree in relevant speciality
- Relevant palliative courses which underpin practice
- Advanced communications course
Desirable
- MSc in Palliative or advanced nursing practice or willing to undertake course
- Teaching qualification or experience
- Management / leadership courses
- Non-medical prescribing
other
Essential
- To have a comprehensive understanding of the trust values and behaviour in relation to self and others
- Effective team working and conflict management skills
- Able to work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary team work.
- Good awareness and understanding of the wider health economy and priorities for palliative and end of life care both in local and national strategy.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
