Job summary
It is an exciting time at The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House as we are delighted to be relaunching our invaluable Hospice at Home Service. The Hospice promotes care and support that are delivered in a culture that respects patient autonomy and is centered around individual end of life care wishes. Caring for patients who are in the last weeks of life is a specialist and vitally important service. When delivered well, with compassion, knowledge and shaped by what is important to the person it is a powerful and moving experience. We only get one chance to get it right for the patient and their family and our team go to extraordinary lengths to ensure we get it right every time. We are looking for a Registered Nurse (Band 6) to join our dedicated team. Is this you?
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for delivering the highest standard of palliative care to patients and their families under the care of The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House. Care is provided in the community across 24 hours a day, seven days a week and aims to support patient choice and access to excellent end of life care and support. As a core member of the care team and a member of the wider multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will be involved in assessing and developing appropriate plans of intervention and support for patients and their families, providing advice and signposting to other services as required as well as ensuring effective, timely communication. Whilst this role is part of our Hospice at Home team you may be asked on occasions to work on our Inpatient Unit. As a Band 6, there is an expectation of experience of leadership of shifts, with the support of the ANPs, Ward Manager and Hospice Doctors to ensure effective flow of patients across the services, as well as providing mentoring and role modelling for less experienced colleagues. You will be involved in helping to facilitate the education and support of qualified and unqualified staff and to participate in the development of nursing practice across the hospice. Care provision shall reflect evidence based practice, in line with legal requirements, statutory rules and Hospice policies relating to practice, and the NMC Code of Conduct.
About us
In addition to the competitive salary we offer the following: Enhanced holiday entitlement - 25 days FTE (increasing to 27 after 5 years and 31 after 9 years) plus public holidaysOnsite subsidised caféFree parkingAccess to blue light discount cardAccess to complementary therapy We have an amazing multi-disciplinary team who all work together ensuring that the patient is central to everything we do. Our Vision is ... That every person living with or affected by a life limiting condition will be offered choice and access to excellent end of life and bereavement care. Our Values are: COMPASSION ACCESSIBILITY RESPECT EXCELLENCE The Hospice stands in beautiful well maintained grounds. Our building is modern and light with each bedroom having a garden view.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES
Clinical
1. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients in a way that reflects the Hospice philosophy.
2. To provide hands-on nursing care to all patients respecting their wishes and maintaining their dignity.
3. Ensure the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available.
4. Support Pre-admission reviews and monitoring of referrals received.
5. Manage discharge planning where appropriate
6. Promote a multi-disciplinary approach to care by ensuring effective communication is maintained between all staff, volunteers, patients and their families and attend weekly MDTs where appropriate
7. Be proactively involved with incident and risk reviews, cascading learning from events.
8. Promote the Hospice Record Keeping policy ensuring all care plans and patient documentation are completed appropriately
9. Mentor and support new staff
10. Become a Professional role model
11. Participate in ward rounds when appropriate
12. Develop knowledge in pain and symptom control and maintain personal, professional and clinical skills.
13. Ensure safe running of controlled drugs ensuring safe record keeping and adequate supplies.
14. To be responsible, in conjunction with the Nurse in charge, for maintaining a safe environment for patients and their families within the hospice, promotingthese principles when supporting families in their own homes
15. To be a link professional or champion with agreed responsibilities for the organisation ( Infection Control, Continence, Tissue Viability), providing regular feedback through meetings / notice board presentations.
16. Contribute to teaching programmes.
17. To assist trained staff in dealing with patients/relatives/visitors who are distressed or anxious, and report to nurse in charge.
Managerial
18. Co-ordinate the care for a given shift in the absence of the Nurse in charge.
19. Provide designated fire officer coverage for wards and Hospice in absence of Senior Staff ( over-night).
20. In conjunction with other team members monitor levels of stock and medication.
21. Ensure, by close liaison with Nurse in charge, that staffing for all subsequent shifts within the working week have sufficient staff at the appropriate skill mix. Highlight any staff sickness or gaps in duty rosters to Nurse in charge, ensuring HR aware of any staff absences.
22. Carry out return to work absence meetings and completion of paperwork BAND 3-5 in conjunction with the Nurse in charge.
Educational
23. Act as a mentor for, trainees and a preceptor for junior staff.
24. Contribute to the Hospice education programme, and foster an environment of continual learning and development.
25. Ensure patients and families educational and information needs are met.
26. Maintain own educational and professional portfolio in line with own professional requirements; and to work towards Professional Competency Standards of a Band 6 Hospice Practitioner.
27. Participate in clinical audit programmes or research projects where appropriate
28. To attend clinical supervision within the organisation; and to monitor professional and personal development through the Hospice appraisal system.
Professional
29. Ensure continued, effective professional registration and revalidation.
30. Be aware of the relevant Code of Professional Conduct and be accountable for own practice.
31. Be aware of the relevant Scope of Professional Practice and ensure competency to undertake duties allocated.
32. Ensure professional portfolio is kept and updated in accordance with professional registration recommendations.
33. To assist trained staff in dealing with patients/relatives/visitors who are distressed or anxious, and report to nurse in charge.
34. To deal with initial complaints and conflict (if approached directly by a patient/relative/visitor) as required, in a polite, calm manner and report to the nurse in charge.
35. Complete the palliative care competencies for the hospice within a designated time frame.
36. Any other duties as may be required.
Person Specification
Skills/Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
37. Ability to prioritise work and to co-ordinate workload.
38. Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care needs according to
39. individual needs.
40. Has good verbal and written communication ability.
41. Computer literate
42. Driver
Desirable
43. Organisational and managerial skills
44. Teaching skills
Experience
Essential
45. Awareness of professional responsibilities.
46. Knowledge of current palliative care issues
47. Palliative care experience.
48. Evidence of excellent inter-personal skills
49. Medicines administration + Competent with syringe driver use
Qualifications
Essential
50. Registered Health Practitioner NMC
Desirable
51. Palliative Care qualification
Disposition/Attitude/Motivation
Essential
52. Flexibility in shift/ working patterns to meet the needs of the service
53. Is able to participate as a team member