Bank role
This role is to supplement our current bank team who are vital to the smooth running of the hospice. Flexibility is crucial to the role as the primary purpose is to cover shifts, often at short notice, to cover absences. Bank members are engaged as a worker and not an employee.
Job Purpose
The post holder will deliver high-quality, compassionate palliative and end-of-life nursing care to patients admitted to the hospice inpatient unit. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Band 5 Registered Nurse (RN) will provide holistic care that meets patients’ physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual needs, while supporting families and those important to the patient.
The role involves assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised care, ensuring care is delivered in line with best practice, professional standards, hospice policies and values. The post holder will contribute to maintaining a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment and will support students, junior staff and volunteers as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Care
- Deliver high-quality, person-centred nursing care to patients with life-limiting illness
- Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of individualised care plans
- The post holder will be expected to carry out all relevant forms of care without direct supervision and may be required to demonstrate procedures to and supervise junior members of staff.
- The post holder will develop their professional clinical practice to gain a good working knowledge of nursing interventions, non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical therapies required to achieve a good level of pain and symptom management.
- To have an in-depth knowledge of the nursing process, promoting and supporting the use of the agreed model of individualised patient care.
- To maintain accurate electronic and hand-written documentation in line with Hospice policy and NMC Guidelines.
- To inform senior team members of:
Ø Significant changes in the patient’s condition.
Ø Any significant factors relevant to the patient
- Take measures to prevent cross infection, reporting such incidents to the Nurse in Charge.
- To ensure that prescribed treatments and medications are given in accordance with Hospice policies.
- Administer medicines safely in line with hospice policy, current legislation and NMC/other standards
- Promote comfort, dignity and quality of life at all times
- Provide sensitive support to patients, families and carers, including during end-of-life care and bereavement
Communication and Teamwork
- Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including medical staff, allied health professionals, social care and volunteers both internally and externally
- Communicate effectively with patients and families, providing clear, compassionate and timely information
- Maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical records in line with hospice policy and professional guidelines
- Participate in handovers, team meetings and case discussions
Leadership and Support
- Act as a role model for hospice values and professional nursing practice
- Support, supervise and guide healthcare assistants, students and volunteers as appropriate
- Contribute to creating a positive learning and supportive team environment
Quality, Governance and Safety
- Practice in accordance with the NMC Code, hospice policies and relevant legislation
- Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement and service development initiatives
- Take all measures practicable to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff, having due regard to Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Report to the Ward Manager/Deputy without delay, incidents, risks and concerns in line with hospice policies and procedures.
- Maintain awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and act appropriately
- Monitor the safe and economical use of all supplies and equipment.
Education and Professional Development
- Maintain NMC registration and professional revalidation requirements
- Engage with mandatory and role-specific training
- Take responsibility for ongoing professional development, including developing specialist palliative care skills
- Support a culture of learning and reflective practice for staff, volunteers and students
- To ensure all mandatory training provided by the Hospice, either face to face or online is successfully completed each year, including:-
Health & Safety including Manual Handling
Fire Safety Training
Resuscitation
Basic Food Hygiene
Syringe Driver Competency Training
Glucose Monitoring Training
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Work in accordance with health and safety policies to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff
- Contribute and adhere to infection prevention and control practices
- Be aware of own wellbeing and access support and supervision as required
- This job description is not an exhaustible list. Duties of the post holder is reviewed from time to time and may be asked to undertake other reasonable duties in order to meet the needs of the hospice.
Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential
RN adult current NMC registration.
Evidence of current continual professional development.
Desirable
Relevant degree or willingness to undergo further training relating to palliative and end of life care.
Evidence of post-registration training to palliative or end-of-life care
Skills/Experience
Essential
Experience of appropriate clinical practice.
Good communication skills.
Ability to prioritise workload and work flexibly in a changing environment
Basic IT skills, including electronic patient records
Desirable
Post registration experience in palliative care.
Interests and Motivation to the job
Essential
Understanding of the philosophy of palliative care.
Desirable
Understanding of holistic symptom management and care.
Attitudes, Aptitudes, Personal Characteristics
Essential
Compassionate, caring and respectful approach
Commitment to hospice values and person-centred care
Ability to work calmly under pressure and manage emotionally challenging situations
Reliability
Flexibility
Good time management
Non-judgemental inclusive approach.
Able to work well as part of the MDT, and support students and others in practice.
Other Requirements
Essential
Ability to work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays
This post is subject to satisfactory references and appropriate pre-employment checks.