Working to support the Matron and In-Patient Unit Manager within our In‑Patient Unit, you will be responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care.
You will also demonstrate and develop high‑quality nursing care through evidence‑based practice whilst supporting other team members.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will act as a specialist resource within a multidisciplinary team, with managerial, educative and quality assurance responsibilities.
Teamwork and communication skills are a key part of this post.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Role
- Act as specialist resource to colleagues, MDT members and external agencies.
- Act as a link nurse for clinical topics and participate in education and training for that area of care.
- Act as an active participant in MDT meetings and other clinical meetings, providing feedback and disseminating information as appropriate.
- Act as a Primary Nurse, responsible for the organisation of patient care and delegation of duties to nursing staff; participate in all patient care activities, giving guidance and support as necessary to other team members.
- Ensure that all medications are correctly stored, administered and recorded in accordance with Hospice policy and legal requirements.
- Deal with and report accidents, untoward occurrences or complaints according to The Kirkwoods policy, and cooperate with any investigation.
- Initiate the involvement of multi‑disciplinary team members to ensure effective patient management, continuity of care and support of patients and their families.
- Promote and maintain staff morale, giving support, supervision and guidance to other team members.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, relatives and all visitors to The Kirkwood.
- Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of equipment, with regard for safety of both patients and staff.
- Be proactive in developing clinical areas, supporting other Senior Staff Nurses and the Matron through the contribution of new ideas to improve and maintain standards of care.
Managerial Role
- Co‑operate with The Kirkwoods administration and carry out nursing administrative duties as required.
- Maintain agreed stock levels of stores and other equipment.
- Be aware of the importance of efficiency and cost effectiveness within The Kirkwood and act accordingly.
- Manage bank staff on a day‑to‑day basis to ensure appropriate staffing levels and obtain bank shifts as appropriate for workload.
- Participate in the recruitment of junior staff.
- Ensure The Kirkwoods nursing policies and procedures are adhered to and participate in policy reviews as required.
- Maintain professional clinical records (written and computerised) to NMC and hospice standards, and audit these on a regular basis.
- Recognise, prevent where possible and manage areas of conflict, reporting to the Matron if unable to resolve.
- Carry out annual appraisal of team members as required.
- Acknowledge and respond to the concerns of patients, families or carers and take initial steps to resolve issues, escalating as appropriate.
- Work in other areas of The Kirkwood as required to ensure continuity of patient care.
Educational Role
- Participate in the induction, training and ongoing supervision of team members.
- Participate in hospice education and training programmes.
- Be appraised annually.
- Develop and maintain personal and professional development, sharing knowledge and skills with multi‑disciplinary team members.
- Act as mentor or clinical supervisor to colleagues and visiting students as appropriate.
- Access clinical supervision as required.
Quality Assurance Role
- Be actively involved in standard setting, implementation and review.
- Undertake surveys, audits or research as necessary to ensure delivery of evidence‑based practice.
- Suggest areas for clinical development, audit or research relevant to specialist palliative care.
Other Responsibilities
- Work in accordance with the values of The Kirkwood. Patients, families and carers are the focus of everything we do. Our values are what we live and work by.
- Participate in The Kirkwoods performance and development review process.
- Undertake any other duties required by the Kirkwoods Management team commensurate with the post.
- Undertake annual mandatory training provided by The Kirkwood.
- Maintain complete confidentiality as a condition of employment. Information relating to patients, other members of staff and volunteers, or which is acquired for the purposes of employment, may only be disclosed with the express permission of the appropriate manager.
- Respect the ethos and values of The Kirkwood and its services and comply with its policies, procedures and regulations.
- This job description is not exhaustive; therefore the employer and employee share responsibility to review and amend this job description in order to reflect any changes in role/development.
Person Specification
Experience
- Extensive palliative care/hospice experience at Staff Nurse level.
- Experience of multi‑professional team working.
- Teaching experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstratable palliative care knowledge including symptom control.
- A positive attitude to change with the knowledge of implementing and managing change.
- Awareness of evidence based practice and the need for audit and research.
- Ability to demonstrate an awareness of the impact of loss and bereavement on self and others.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to assess and deliver care to meet complex patient needs.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Demonstrates care and compassion.
Qualifications
- First Degree in relevant subject area.
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.
Depending on experience £40,286 – £45,697 per annum
