Job overview
This is an excellent opportunity to join the Renal Home Therapy Service; we currently have a vacancy for Band 5 staff nurse which is seconded for 12 months for 37.5 hours per week. The post involves the on-going education and training of patients, relatives and carers on peritoneal or home haemodialysis to enable them to dialyse independently at home.
You will be required to work across the hospital based training unit at Chorley District Hospital as well as the community setting covering Lancashire and South Cumbria. Unit opening hours are 07:00-18:00 with shifts of 7:00-15:00 and 10:00-18:00 Monday to Friday. The service also provides an acute drop in service for the home dialysis patient and an out of hours on call advice service 7 days per week.
Ideally you should have current relevant post registration experience working within the renal specialty with experience of haemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis.
Being a competent car driver is essential as the community setting covers a large geographical area.
You will also be highly motivated with excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills and have the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team setting.
The role requires you to work across both sites of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at Chorley and Preston Hospitals. The main site being Chorley
In return we can offer a huge commitment to ongoing professional development.
Main duties of the job
The role is to support the home therapy Manager in ensuring that the clinical care is of the highest standards and is organised to meet the needs of the patient/carer.
Providing leadership and support to all junior members of the home therapy team. Act as a strong role model and provide development, clinical supervision and advice for other staff and students to support them in reaching their full potential.
To provide education and training of patients and carers on their chosen treatment modality ensuring the planning, delivery and evaluation of care is in line with the Trust’s Values & Nursing & Midwifery Professional Framework.
To assist the home therapy team ensure on-going education and support for the patient and carers around their treatment modality. Support the community service when required.
To support the home therapy units drop in service for patients and care for the dialysis needs of the peritoneal dialysis patients whilst receiving inpatient care.
Carry out on call service on a rotational basis.
Working for our organisation
The home therapy team covers a large geographical area of Lancashire and South Cumbria. We have 2 designated training units at Chorley and Kendal hospitals that provide education and training for patients who wish to dialyse at home. These patients are then supported by our team in the community setting. We are proud to provide a supportive and collaborative approach to our home therapy patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to meet patients’ needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
Ensures that patients have a care plan that is up to date, relevant and meets Activities of Daily Living, presenting condition and risk assessment needs.
Performs nursing care and enhanced clinical skills to a high quality standard.
Has achieved and maintained core and specific competencies.
Demonstrates compassion by recognising and responding to individual needs in a warm, thoughtful, sensitive and helpful way
Proactively engages with patients, relatives and carers to seek their views, gain agreement and to keep them informed about their treatment and care
Escalates concerns about patient condition in a timely manner where unable to provide appropriate intervention
Receives positive feedback from own patients/relatives/team /students.
Provide patients with appropriate activities and stimulation to promote well-being and recovery in particular when providing enhanced care
Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation
Own documentation is complete and in order
Adheres to NMC standards of record keeping
Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and the organisation
Complies fully with the Trust Uniform Policy and ensures nursing team comply.
All patients, visitors, staff and students are welcomed in a manner which promotes a positive image of yourself and the home therapy team.
Assist in Setting, monitor and maintain standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of Care
Challenges poor standards of care or inappropriate behaviour and raises and escalates concerns about the safety and wellbeing of patients
Takes an active part in team meetings
Participates in innovations and improvements in services including the ‘productive’ programme, seeking patients and others views as appropriate.
Recognises and refers patients to ensure they are placed on appropriate care pathways e.g. the Care of the Dying Pathway, Sepsis Pathway.
Understands the importance of audit and evaluation programmes
Makes constructive suggestions as to how the service can be improved
Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care
Communicates in a professional and timely manner.
Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters or difficult situations, in an appropriate, supportive and empathic manner
Promote the on-going provision of patient education and health promotion regarding their treatment modality and renal condition.
Ensure all relevant health assessments have been undertaken
Provides on going education and training regarding their treatment modality to ensure the patient and carer remain competent and confident to self-care at home.
Offers continuing health promotion advice around their renal disease or refers to specialist skills were necessary.
Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals
Treats everyone with dignity and respect
Acts in accordance with current legislation, policies, procedures and good practice relating to equality & diversity.
Takes action to address behaviour that undermines equality and diversity.
Safeguards children, young people and vulnerable adults, escalating concerns in line with Trust policy and regulatory frameworks.
Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
Reports on low/sufficient stock levels on the unit as well as in the patients’ homes to enable smooth running of the home therapy unit.
Equipment is cleaned and maintained as per Trust standards.
To participate in education and training of junior staff.
Undertakes mentor training when identified
Evidence of being active mentor and role model
Actively involves and supports students and junior staff in educational opportunities
Positive student feedback received through educational audits
Act as assessor and mentor to junior staff and students supporting their development
Be involved in Induction and monitoring of new staff
Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within scope of role and professional practice.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
1. Appropriate NMC registration
2. NMC recognised mentorship qualification
3. Evidence of continuing education or development
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
4. Willing to expand clinical role e.g. venepuncture and cannulation of fistulas
5. Awareness of changes within Nursing practice
6. Knowledge of Clinical Governance and the relevance to practice
7. Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
8. Demonstrates competency during internship
Desirable criteria
9. Knowledge of ethical issues
10. Knowledge of Leadership and Management
11. Research and Development