Outpatient Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. In collaboration with other members of the palliative care multi-professional team assess the needs ofpatients, families and other carers and provide specific advice and support as appropriate, both in thepatients home and out-patient clinic.

2. Meet with other members of the MPT to ensure that a comprehensive service is offered to all patients.

3. Collaborate with other health care professionals in the community in order to promote planned,coordinated care.

4. Support Locality Leads and other colleagues by working flexibly to ensure consistent care is delivered.

5. Ensure patients are supported using a multi - professional approach and are referred in a timely manneraccording to multi professional guidelines for best practice.

6. Maintain accurate records, ensuring that all entries on EMIS and related documentation are enteredfrequently to agreed standards.

7. Liaise with other agencies to facilitate systems for transfer of information as necessary.

8. Working in collaboration with Triage and the CNSs support the Urgent care element of the Hospice atHome Service, visiting patients and families in crisis in order to prevent inappropriate admissions toHospital.

9. Function as a professional role model for specialist palliative care, providing strong and effective clinicalleadership.

10. Undertake complex and sensitive holistic care assessments using physical assessment skills to plan,implement and evaluate care, utilising care planning and excellent communication skills.

11. Improve access to medication through the support and implementation of Nurse Independent Prescribing.

a. Prescribe within scope of practice / area of competency.

b. Follow locally approved clinical guidelines and NICE and be within an agreed formulary ifapplicable.

c. Provide cost effective prescribing activity.

d. Regularly review prescribing activity and implement change as necessary.

e. Have prescribing activity audited annually.

f. Work within the framework of the Hospice Nurse Independent Prescribing Policy.

Managerial

1. Support the Associate Director of Patient Care & Communities as well as the Locality Leads in deliveringthe strategic direction of the Hospice and the clinical business plan

2. Submit statistics and activity reports as required.

3. Influence palliative care nursing practice and policy through working in partnership and networking withcolleagues.

4. Ensure the effective use of resources required to meet service objectives.

5. Promote harmonious relationships within the inter-professional team.

6. Act as an ambassador for Princess Alice Hospice at all times, including representing the Hospice infundraising and PR activities as requested.

7. Receive and disseminate information through attendance at team meetings, the monthly H@H teammeeting and appropriate meetings with other hospices and palliative care teams.

Educational

1. Continue personal professional development, to ensure clinical effectiveness of self and to have apositive commitment to ensure that all appraisal objectives are met.

2. Feedback all materials and information obtained at study days and other forms of study.

3. Receive regular clinical supervision to ensure the maintenance of professional growth

4. Participate in the development and delivery of formal educational programmes for professionals inPrincess Alice Hospice, the community and other educational establishments.

5. Act as role model and mentor, providing informal education and support to colleagues in their provisionof palliative care.

6. Identify the specific training and educational needs of patients and carers and facilitate meeting theseneeds.

Audit and Research

1. Provide leadership and support to others in the development of research-based practice.

2. Develop mechanisms for auditing care and in conjunction with senior medical and nursing staff,participate in the development of multi professional audit.

3. Participate in and support collaborative clinical research in palliative care.

4. Critique current research into best practice and promote and manage change within the communitypalliative care team and other relevant organisations and agencies.

5. Ensure that the views and needs of both lay and professional users of the service influence its ongoingdevelopment by feeding back as appropriate.

Qualifications

Essential

• Current NMC Registration
• RGN qualification
• Palliative Care Diploma or equivalent
• Teaching qualification (ENB 998 or equivalent)
• Relevant degree/diploma/ module at masters level or in the process of undertaking same
• Community qualification
• Palliative Care Degree
• Physical assessment skills
• Non-medical prescriber (V300)-desired

Personal Qualities and Other Requirement

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of current healthcare and nursing policy and provision
• Understanding of specialist palliative care provision
• Awareness of and commitment to the mission and values of the Hospice

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience
• Palliative care or oncology experience.
• Interest in research/audit
• Community experience

Particular Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• Evidence of highly developed communication skills both written and verbal
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment
• Computer literate
• Leadership capabilities
• Clinical assessment and evaluation
• Decision making skills
• Organisational skills
• Ability to influence change

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).