Overview
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY CLINICAL SPECIALIST – An opportunity for a dynamic, enthusiastic, self-motivated clinician with a strong palliative care knowledge base to join our Hospice Community Team as a Development Clinical Specialist. The post provides varied senior experience in a multidisciplinary environment delivering a 24/7 service to individuals, carers and other health care professionals across the community.
We work with external place-based partners to enable access to palliative and end of life care for anyone across Brentwood, Havering, Barking & Dagenham, with a 24/7 service and out-of-hours telephone support for Redbridge. With the hospice 5-year strategy and an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission, this is a timely opportunity to join a skilled specialist palliative care service.
The candidate should understand the needs of those receiving palliative/end-of-life care, have knowledge of evidence-based practice, and be able to develop knowledge of current initiatives and developments in palliative care. Excellent communication, autonomy within a team, and caseload management skills are essential.
Job responsibilities
Hours of duty: 37.5 hours per week. Service runs 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Reports to: Community Team Lead.
Key relationships include:
* Community Team Leaders
* Hospice Community Team and Admin
* Hospice @ Home Enhanced Team Leader
* PSPA & Referral Hub Manager
* Referral Coordinator & Assistant
* Primary Care Teams/District Nurses
* Saint Francis Hospice multi-professional team
* Palliative Care Teams in Acute Hospital Trusts
* GP Practices (via Gold Standard Framework or similar) and community liaison at planned meetings
* Individual, loved ones and Carers
Responsibilities include:
* Provide appropriate end-of-life care addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs in agreement with the individual and loved ones, progressing to complex holistic assessments as skills develop
* Maintain personal and client safety in the community; adhere to lone-working policies
* Travel to/from individuals’ homes; plan and organise community visits efficiently
* Communicate effectively with individuals, carers and other professionals involved in care on behalf of the Hospice Community Team
* Recognise and report changes in a patient’s condition; respond to maintain effective symptom control
* Accurate and timely recording of assessments and clinical history
* Promote multi-professional teamwork within the organisation and with external partners
* Develop and maintain external relationships with District Nursing teams, GP practices, the acute sector and other hospices/specialists
* Attend monthly Hospice Community Team meetings and weekly multidisciplinary team meetings; participate in reflective practice sessions as arranged
* Progress from intermediate to advanced clinical knowledge in palliative care through competency achievements, reflection and objective setting
* Maintain HCPC or NMC registration and comply with professional standards and revalidation
* Represent Saint Francis Hospice at internal/external meetings as directed
* Familiarise with Clinical Champion Groups and the Widening Access Agenda to develop service provision
* Recognise the impact of life-limiting illness on individuals and loved ones; support them while promoting independence
* Plan and present teaching sessions, audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested
* Pursue personal development through mandatory training and study days; maintain CPD
* Develop advanced communication skills; anticipate barriers and improve communication strategies within the team
* Manage complex situations as a lone worker in the community
* Develop presentation and documentation skills; maintain accurate notes and input data into electronic records
* Utilise Electronic Patient Records and other IT systems; ensure data confidentiality
* Develop skills in managing anticipatory grief or bereavement care
* Network and influence to represent palliative care in the wider community
* Engage in all learning opportunities offered by the development programme and apply learning to practice
* Share and reflect palliative care skills to enable learning for others
Professional responsibilities include acting within the Codes of Professional Conduct (HCPC or NMC) and taking responsibility for own professional development, monitored in supervision and appraisal. Following successful non-medical prescribing training, the role may prescribe within agreed policies. The post holder will support multidisciplinary meetings in primary/community care settings and adhere to health, safety, fire, and data protection policies.
Additional information includes attendance at internal and external meetings, participation in Clinical Champion Groups, and safeguarding and confidentiality expectations.
Person Specification
Hospice Values
* Compassionate – caring team, putting individuals and loved ones first
* Collaborative – partnerships with communities and stakeholders
* Creative – forward-thinking, adaptable, embracing change
Qualifications
* Professional healthcare qualification with significant post-registration experience; RGN or HCPC registration (as AHP or Paramedic)
* Oncology/Palliative Care qualification or relevant experience
* Non-Medical Prescriber or willing to undertake
* Teaching qualification/experience (Level 3 and above)
* Degree or equivalent or willingness to undertake
* Non-Medical Prescriber or willingness to undertake (duplicate line removed)
Other Requirements
* Efficient travel to designated areas and flexibility to work in a 24/7 service
Experience
* Knowledge of current issues in specialist palliative care and equity of access
* Flexible approach to team working and awareness of team dynamics
* Ability to work as part of the hospice MDT, community ICBs and acute specialist palliative care team
* Ability to assess situations comprehensively and plan care decisively
* Motivated to develop advanced clinical skills; able to adapt to a changing service
* Good personal support mechanisms and ability to seek help when needed
* Strong time management and organisational skills; IT literacy and GDPR awareness
* Significant experience at Band 6/equivalent senior level in palliative care or related field
* Role-modelling and knowledge sharing in end-of-life care
* Effective and clear communication skills, both written and verbal
* Community-based experience and autonomous working capability
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.
Salary: £36,971 to £43,792 per year. Posts do not attract NHS High Cost Area or Fringe supplements.
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