Job summary
Do you want to be part of a committed and supportive multi-disciplinary team that delivers empowering and compassionate care supporting people with a life limiting illness? Then this role is for you!
The Hospice Outreach Team are the initial point of contact for all new community referrals and all telephone calls coming into the service. It acts as a front line to support patients, staff and families in their own homes, this includes care homes and nursing homes.
We are looking for an experienced registered Staff Nurse or Paramedic to help us deliver outstanding Hospice care to the people who need it, changing the lives of local families. We have a part time fixed term contract position available for 1 year AND a permanent full time position.
Main duties of the job
To succeed in this role
We are looking for a motivated clinician with the ability to work as an independent practitioner whilst being part of a responsive and resilient team. You will possess advanced communication skills and excellent presentation skills (both oral and written).
Palliative care experience is preferred but not essential. As long as you bring a flexible and dynamic approach to work, we're excited to support you in your development with us.
We have flexible working options to suit your work-life balance. We offer a competitive salary and you can transfer your NHS pension. Other benefits include free parking and a generous holiday allowance with the ability to buy and sell additional holiday.
If you are ready to embrace real nursing values; dedicated time with patients and care that counts, join our team its nursing as it should be.
If you would like to find out more before applying, wed love to meet you for an informal visit. Please contact us:
For more information, please contact Dea Haysler or Samara Romans, Hospice Outreach Managers on 01892 820 515 or /
About us
With fantastic development opportunities, we are committed to your ongoing development and to supporting our staff in their learning. You will be able to learn and grow in our compassionate and friendly team whilst working in an incredibly rewarding job.
Our focus is on empowering staff to deliver the best possible care. This means having time to treat each patient as an individual.
Our team care for patients who have a life limiting illness and our focus is on individualised care, focusing on improving quality of life and achieving patient centred goals. We care for people with long term conditions including heart failure, respiratory disease, frailty and neurological conditions, as well as those with an oncological diagnosis and our team strives to work alongside other community teams and specialists to optimise patient experience and improve our team knowledge and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Staff Nurse / Hospice Paramedic (Registered Staff)
Based at the Hospice buildings in Pembury, Kent, or Five Ashes, East Sussex, with potential requirement to work at other locations within West Kent and East Sussex.
Scope & Job Purpose
Registered staff may work across any of the Services provided by Hospice in the Weald to:
Deliver high-quality Hospice Palliative Care to patients with a terminal illnessincluding Dementia, Cancer, Organ Failure (end stages) and Neurological conditions who are referred/refer themselves to Hospice in the Weald.
Act as a practical and advisory resource to other professions on hospice palliative care issues, including physical, psychological, social, spiritual support and bereavement care.
Ensure that patients and those important to them are aware of the full range of services available to them to enable people to make informed choices about their care and to make to the most of the precious time they have at the end of life.
Key responsibilities
Deliverables/outcomes
Deliver compassionate, personalised, and holistic care to our patients and those important to them
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate pathways of care for patients in a way that reflects the Hospice philosophy.
Responsible for reviewing, delivering, and updating care plans and documentation and escalating all concerns to the appropriate individual.
Recognise, respond to, and manage palliative care emergencies appropriately.
Review, deliver and update electronic documentation and escalate all concerns as relevant and appropriate.
Administer medication, including injectables as applicable to the patients needs.
Set up and manage syringe drivers.
Ensure the safe storage, management and use of controlled drugs and clinical sundries.
Support new workforce members through orientation and perform medication framework assessments.
Provide support for referrals required for counselling and bereavement support for those who are important to the patient.
Work within the multidisciplinary team to maintain a high level of risk awareness about self and patient safety.
Management & Leadership
Lead and act as a mentor for new staff, students, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Practitioners and Nursing Assistants
We will provide training to so that you can act as Practice Supervisor or Practice assessor for student nurses. Helping to grow exceptional registered staff of the future
To promote a culture in the working environment which demonstrates the values of the Hospice.
Support and empower our volunteers to make real the Hospice values in all they do and to advance the mission, aims and objectives of the organisation
Communications and Teamwork
1. Identify and discuss where escalation of patients needs to a senior member of staff is necessary and make all necessary arrangements.
2. Be a proactive team player, supporting colleagues through reflection, advice and guidance and take part in clinical supervision
3. Be proactive in developing collaborative relationships with other care providers Continuing Health Care, NHS Trusts.
Working with due diligence
Completion of accurate patient notes and record keeping in support of the clinical and medical staff.
To recognise when to work autonomously and when to seek advice and guidance.
To work within the NMC regulations, guidelines and within the Code of Professional Conduct
To be responsible for own personal health and safety and that of the wider HITW.
Working across Services
Registered staff have the opportunity to work across the Services provided by Hospice in the Weald.
Cottage Hospice
Work in collaboration with the clinical lead to provide excellent End of Life care for those patients within Cottage Hospice.
Be the registered person in charge of the shift and take on overall responsibility, including overseeing the day to day running of the shift.
To fully comprehend, understand and be able to articulate and demonstrate the Informed Guide to those patients with family caregivers. Ensure all staff and volunteers can also articulate and demonstrate use of the Informed Guide.
Provide the care needed by patients at Cottage Hospice without family caregivers in collaboration with the rest of the team.
Empower and enable Family Caregivers and volunteers to provide high quality care to their loved one both at the Cottage Hospice and when they return home.
Promote the home from home environment and encourage and promote patients and Family Caregivers making the whole Cottage Hospice space their own.
Hospice Outreach Service
4. Agree individualised patient centred care plans to deliver a high standard of evidence based palliative care working in partnership with external healthcare workers where necessary.
5. Liaise appropriately, making referrals when required to the multi-disciplinary team within the Hospice in supporting patients and those important to them in difficult circumstances.
6. Work within the multidisciplinary team to maintain a high level of risk awareness with regard to self and patient safety.
7. Assessment of patients with a non-complex disease in Hospice Appointments as directed by line management.
8. Undertake bereavement telephone calls
In-Patient Ward
Be the registered person in charge of the shift responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the shift, patient admissions, day procedures, fire evacuation, staff supervision and verification of death.
Liaise with Hospice Outreach Service, medical and nursing staff as required to ensure an 80% occupancy level.
9. Deliver care in a homely environment, ensuring that patients and those important to them are aware of all facilities and services available.
Deliver care of patients having procedures as inpatients or as day procedures. To include administration of Blood, Bisphosphonates and the management of drains.
Deliver after care following interventions in pain clinic and interventional radiology.
Administer Intravenous infusions and antibiotics.
Care for Central venous access devices
To liaise with other care providers to receive and provide handover and updates.
To maintain a level of skill and competence related to medicines and to administer medication in accordance with the prescription.
To maintain accurate records of the medication regime on the electronic prescribing system.
Whilst Shift Lead, effectively delegate appropriate tasks to members of the team thereby ensuring the smooth running of the In-Patient ward
Lead in discharge planning, ensuring that early plans are made.
Present patients and contribute to weekly ward multi-disciplinary team meeting.
Deliver After Death Meetings.
Offer telephone advice to Hospice Outreach Service patients and those important to them out of hours.
Training and Development
Undertake Mandatory Training as required by Hospice in the Weald and participate in additional required training and development activities.
Take an active role in identifying gaps in knowledge and skills and how to address these
Take responsibility for setting own goals and achieving them
General
Maintain professionalism through adherence to recognized Codes (, NMC, GMC, HPC, HCPC) and work within the boundaries of Hospice in the Weald policies.
Maintain professional development though the Hospice Annual Review process. Continuously updating and improving knowledge and competencies.
Adhere to all health and safety and fire regulations to ensure that the Hospice upholds a safe environment for all staff, patients and visitors by identifying potential risks and take action as required. .
Engage in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the area you are working and achieve the required level of competence.
Any other duties which may be reasonably requested.
Recognise the growing need for 24/7 working patterns and flexibility.
Always strive for excellence.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
10. Registered Nurse (Level 1) or Registered Paramedic (HCPC) with 2 years post registration experience.
11. Evidence of ongoing professional development (where appropriate).
Experience
Essential
12. Experience of working in a multi-professional team (including as a student) and the ability to work under pressure and organise workload effectively.
Desirable
13. Palliative care experience preferred but not essential
Personal attributes
Essential
14. Passionate about providing holistic, person-centred care;
15. Dedicated to making a difference and changing peoples lives;
16. Compassionate;
17. Team player;
18. Forward thinking.