Clinical Nurse Specialist Development Role

Job responsibilities

POST: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Development Role)

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Community Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

Under supervision, from Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) colleagues, the CNS development post holder will work in the Phyllis Tuckwell (PT) Community Service and develop the skills needed to assess physical, psychological, emotional and social needs of patients referred for palliative and end of life care and to develop person centred plans. The role will involve patient and professional education, working in an integrated way with other members of the multidisciplinary team, attending and contributing to relevant clinical review and multi-professional meetings, responding to patients with rapidly changing needs and managing a caseload, prioritising patients according to need.

Developing skills, knowledge and confidence in symptom management and strategies to promote psychological wellbeing will be integral to the role.

Progress will be assessed through a series of structured time-specific competencies over an 18 month period under the supervision of a mentor, with the aim that this will equip the postholder to be considered for a CNS post at Phyllis Tuckwell. It is expected that the post holder will commit to working with PT for a minimum of 2 years following the development period.

It is expected that the postholder will be an ambassador for Phyllis Tuckwell establishing excellent working relationships with external community partners as part of the role and upholding professional standards and behaviours.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.0 Clinical

1.1 To provide evidenced based clinical care.

1.2 To undertake assessments, plan, implement and evaluate palliative care interventions and support delivered to the patient and family or carer.

1.3 To provide monitoring and support on pain and symptom management and strategies to enable psychological health through enhanced communication skills.

1.4 To liaise with the GPs, District Nurses, other health care colleagues and members of the primary health care team so as to ensure effective continuity of care irrespective of the care setting.

1.5 To provide effective caseload management for an agreed caseload under supervision, discussing patients with an agreed mentor or deputy.

1.6 To ensure that the principles of governance are at the centre of all care planned and delivered and actions undertaken.

2.0 Professional

2.1 To act as ambassador for PT on all occasions in the general public arena and to ensure that the reputation of PT is maintained and enhanced.

2.2 To ensure patient records are properly maintained in accordance with NMC professional guidelines and PT policies.

2.3 To make autonomous decisions whilst acting in the patients best interests and also recognise own limitations and boundaries.

2.4 To act, in accordance with PT values and within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, maintaining own professional registration and revalidation.

2.5 To participate in and contribute to inter-hospice meetings, thereby raising the profile of PT.

2.6 To maintain appropriate professional links with other health and social care agencies.

3.0 Managerial

3.1 Be familiar with all guidelines and regulations relevant to the role at PT, in the hospice, at the Beacon Centre and in the community, particularly those relating to information and clinical governance and health and safety at work, ensuring they are met at all times.

3.2 Take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate clinical supervision and training is in place.

4.0 Training and Development

a) Team

4.1 To provide clinical support to the other members of the team, thereby promoting clinical standards, and maintaining effective relationships.

4.2 To take part as appropriate in the PT Induction Programme and with any ongoing training for visiting healthcare professionals.

4.3 To take part in the delivery of the Education Programme for health and social care professionals led by PT as appropriate.

b) Personal

4.4 To undertake and complete a structured competency-based development programme with a named mentor. To identify own learning needs and negotiate opportunities for these to be addressed.

4.5 To develop and maintain own knowledge and skills through continual professional development and through PT appraisal process.

4.6 To maintain a dynamic interest in all professional matters associated with palliative care and management, with particular interest in current research and development, related to nursing practice.

5.0 Research

5.1 To participate in research as appropriate and implement findings of evidence based on practice.

5.2 To represent PT on research projects for benchmarking purposes when required in conjunction with other units.

5.3 To carry out clinical audits and quality assurance programmes to complement quality improvement initiatives in conjunction with other staff.

6.0 Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk.

You are required to:

• adhere to Phyllis Tuckwells Safeguarding Policy (held on the NEST), which supports the local authoritys multi agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
• inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect.

Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing, and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances.

This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwells philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promotes total team spirit.

This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st Level Nurse (RGN) degree level
• Current NMC registration in adult or general nursing
• Practice Assessor qualification
• Car driver essential for community role.

Risk Management

Essential

• Understanding of risk management
• Understanding of clinical governance and quality improvement

Experience

Essential

• Relevant and significant palliative care, or oncology experience
• Experience in practice assessment
• Knowledge of current health care, nursing and palliative care policy and practice.
• Leadership experience

Desirable

• Has Essentials in Palliative Care and or palliative care MSc module / is willing to undertake
• Community experience /knowledge preferred

Team Working

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Have a clear understanding of, and proven experience of, multidisciplinary team working
• Demonstrate a proactive and flexible approach to team working

Relationships and Communications

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to identify own (and team's) stress and seek appropriate support/advice

Managing Work

Essential

• Able to carry out effective and appropriate clinical assessment and evaluation
• Decision making and organisational skills
• Able to identify, initiate and implement change resulting in service improvement.
• Able to demonstrate evidence of leadership qualities
• Able to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment and under pressure
• Experience and Ability to manage a case load of patients and families

Using information and systems

Essential

• Be in possession of IT skills word, e-mail, power point, excel (basic) and internet usage

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).