Job responsibilities
Principle Duties & Responsibilities:
1. To support the Clinical Services Team Leads (CSTL) by providing a confident presence to which individuals can turn for assistance and support and be an advocate for the patients with palliative care needs within Mary Anns clinical services settings.
2. To assist the Registered Nurse in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, using evidence based practice.
3. To ensure that holistic care is provided in accordance with approved policy and procedures and assessed needs.
4. Adopt or implement a team approach to care, recognising and including the role of Family Support, Rapid Response, Complementary Therapy and the volunteers allocating work to them according to Mary Ann policy.
5. To establish priorities and programmes of care for individual patients and support those who matter to them i.e. family carers using interventions such as CSNAT-I.
6. To develop and ensure good communication with all staff liaising with patients, relatives, carers and all other professionals at Mary Ann and in the community; ensuring quality and continuity of patient care.
7. To be confident with communication skills enabling important discussions with patients, families and professional colleagues in respect of preferences and wishes relating to palliative and end of life care.
8. To represent Mary Ann at fundraising, public and professional events to help promote Mary Ann services as necessary.
Clinical and Professional Activities
- Provide holistic, compassionate, safe and effective care and support to patients, their families and service users in a range of care settings under the direction of a Registered Nurse, without direct supervision in line with an agreed plan of care and within role competencies.
- Actively engage with individuals, their families and / or carers and contribute to care planning, by establishing their needs, wishes, preferences and choices and incorporating these into care planning, taking into consideration the persons capacity for decision making at each contact.
- Safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children.
- Administer medication and treatment as prescribed in accordance with role competencies, NMCs and Mary Anns policies and guidelines.
- Ensure high standards of documentation and clinical records are maintained at all times which pay due regard to timeliness of completion, information governance standards and Caldicott principles and have the ability to use electronic record systems e.g. Lorenzo, EMIS.
6. To demonstrate a continuing commitment to professional development by keeping abreast of current developments in nursing practice and participate in appropriate learning and development opportunities.
7. To contribute to the development of high standards of individual care ensuring that clinical practices are evidence based and bench marked against best practice.
8. To recognise emotional and distressing situations and provide support for self and team by undertaking clinical and reflective supervision.
9. To work within the NMC code of professional conduct for Nursing Associates in the context of nursing and interdisciplinary team working.
10. To work within local and national guidance in respect of palliative and end of life care and standards set by the Care Quality Commission.
11. To participate in Mary Anns quality and clinical governance processes e.g. audit, risk assessments, reporting and root cause analysis of significant incidents.
12. Work flexibly across the organisation and through all departments and sites as required to support the delivery of Mary Anns care services.
13. Participate in multi-disciplinary discussions ensuring following up on any interventions needed. Also to attend community hub MDTs and hospital/community specialist palliative care MDT.
14. To liaise professionally with other health care professionals both internally and externally in the provision of patient care.
15. On a rotational basis, in the capacity of co-ordinator take responsibility for being the nominated Fire Marshall, ensure all care services are operating effectively and deal with any problems which may arise throughout the working day, escalating issues to the Team Lead which are out of scope for your role.
16. Work in conjunction with the Team Leaders and Head of Clinical Operations in implementing and reviewing clinical practices to ensure that they are evidence based, cost effective and support processes of change demonstrating responsibility, professionalism and integrity.
17. Act as a role model to staff and volunteers.
Managerial Responsibilities
1. To meet monthly with CSTL/Team for exchange of information and discussion.
2. To ensure all activity or patient related outcomes data are accurately completed in a timely manner and confidentially.
3. To ensure equipment and environment is safely maintained, participating in maintaining a healthy and safe environment in accordance with organisational health and safety policy and procedures including infection prevention and control.
4. To contribute to the formation and development of policies and procedures specific to the clinical services.
5. To participate in short and long term planning of clinical services.
6. Promote an open and honest culture reflecting a can do attitude.
7. Support Team Leaders with staff and volunteer appraisals.
8. To contribute to recruitment processes when required i.e. be an interview panel member.
Education, Professional Development & Training
1. Take every reasonable opportunity for maintaining, developing and acquiring competencies and skills for self-development and personal responsibility for life-long learning, self-development, and reflection and revalidation portfolio.
2.Undertake training to develop additional skills as necessary within Mary Anns competency framework, in relation to specific hospice and /or practice development projects.
3. To participate in induction and training programmes for new staff/students/volunteers/ work experience.
4. To supervise and support the development of staff, student nurses, medical students and volunteers and encourage individual skills.
5. Participate in informal and formal education as required.
6. Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements as outlined by Mary Ann policy.
7. Contribute to Mary Ann being a research active organisation and ensure Good Clinical Practice training for research compliance is completed.
8. Participate in clinical supervision and reflective practice as per Mary Ann policy.
Standard Requirements of all Mary Ann Staff:
1. To be flexible and adapt to the needs of the department and your team.
2. To maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies at all times.
3. To observe and maintain security procedures and to be aware of responsibilities towards Health & Safety, Mary Ann Policies & Procedures and COSHH.
4. Mary Ann operates a strictly no-smoking policy whilst on duty.
5. Exercise responsible stewardship of hospices resources at all times.
6. Attendance at meetings, events and activities may require the post holder to work beyond the normal hours/days of work on occasions flexibility is essential.
7. To have an understanding and demonstrate regard for Mary Anns values, vision, mission and strategic aims.
8. Travel in the Warwickshire area, and on occasions within the UK, to fulfil role and attend/participate in training and personal development opportunities, using own vehicle or public transport, for which expenses will be met in line with policies.
9. To maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with other members of staff, students and volunteers.
10. To participate in an annual performance appraisal, where the job description will be reviewed and objectives agreed.
11. Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements relevant to role as outlined by Mary Ann Policy.
12. To participate in surveys and audits as required by the service in relation to your role.
13. Conform to conventional standards of professional uniform and business dress when representing Mary Ann.
14. To accept temporary redeployment within any part of Mary Ann should the need arise ensuring organisation goals and objectives are met.
