Job responsibilities
MAIN
RESPONSIBILITIES:
To work
as part of a team assisting to provide high quality care to people with
palliative care needs, their families and carers in their own home.
To support and contribute to an
environment of continuous quality improvement and learning
Clinical
Ensure
that hospice policies, procedures and standards are adhered to at all times
particularly those concerning confidentiality, information governance, health
and safety and infection control
Work independently and with nursing colleagues to deliver
individualised, quality and skilled care to patients and their carers,
reporting and documenting changes in condition to an appropriate health care
colleague, to enable re assessment and adaptation of care according to changes
identified.
Effectively prioritise and plan workload according to individual
need and in partnership with others in the team and multi-disciplinary teams.
Work autonomously with a defined work load with indirect
supervision from the hospice at home shift coordinator or registered nurse.
To implement and review patient care plans according to Hospice
policies and procedures.
To provide family and bereavement support to relatives and
carers demonstrating a realistic attitude towards people facing a life limiting
diagnosis.
To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with members
of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) ensuring the delivery of coordinated
service and the maintenance of positive inter-personal working relationships
with all members of the MDT.
Deal with questions, concerns and complaints, from patients,
their families and carers as appropriate according to Hospice policies and
procedures.
To maintain up to date accurate patient records in accordance
with Hospice policies, procedures and guidelines.
Maintain the effective health and safety procedures that have
been implemented, and that any risks to patients/staff safety are highlighted
for action.
Maintain infection control measures that are implemented
ensuring that any risk associated with the prevention and control of infections
are reported immediately to a senior colleague.
Record and report all accidents, complaints and untoward
incidents according to Hospice policies and procedures.
Ensure that standards relating to patient assessment, admission
and discharge are applied consistently
To ensure that patient documentation is completed accurately and
fully in line with the Hospice record keeping policy
Monitor the patients clinical condition, identify any
significant changes and adapt according to service user need; incorporating
high standards of individualised care
Report any significant changes to the relevant health care
professionals e.g. Hospice Physician, patients GP. Utilise IT skills,
including the use of Microsoft office, email, internet and the hospice patient
record (EMIS)
Communication Skills
To communicate effectively and work
collaboratively with members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) ensuring the
delivery of a coordinated service and the maintenance of good working
relationships with all members of the MDT
Foster good working relationships
with all Hospice departments and members of the multidisciplinary team
Communicate effectively with patients
and families ensuring they contribute and consent to treatment and care plans
Give clear, concise reports on
patients progress and concerns to the multi-disciplinary team and facilitate
others to do so.
Ensure accurate, contemporaneous
documentation of patient care, both personally and by others using electronic
systems.
Communicate information to distressed
and/or bereaved people in a sensitive manner
Manage situations where people are
distressed or angry in an effective, safe manner
Be able to communicate effectively
with people exhibiting challenging behaviours, ensuring they are respected but
expectations are made as clear as possible
Have excellent telephone
communication skills, taking calls from patients, carers and professionals
managing their concerns effectively and sensitively
Manage complaints in a sensitive
manner ensuring that the Hospice policy and procedure is adhered to.
Identify problems in communication
with both the hospice and in dealings with external agencies, reporting these
to the appropriate healthcare professional promptly.
Advocate for service users ensuring
their views are known to the team including supporting advance care planning
discussions and documentation
Work in accordance with the Hospice
policies to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Personal and People Development
Develop and maintain relevant knowledge and skills and be
responsible for own continuing professional development
Attend and
complete mandatory training and any other essential training relevant to the
job role
Provide mentor support to new staff, apprentices, students and
volunteers
To identify and participate in the development of teaching and
educational programmes (appropriate to your role)
To participate in one to one
supervision with own line manager
Quality and Service Improvement
Be aware of organisational strategic direction and future issues
pertaining to the provision of specialist palliative and supportive care, and
contribute to and participate in organisational service development
Contribute to the identification of practices that could improve
service delivery outcomes and participate in the development of appropriate
action plans through:
audit
research
evaluation
education/training
user involvement
Participate in the implementation and review of subsequent
action plans
Take an active role in unit meetings, highlighting areas
requiring quality improvement
Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and
encourage others to do so
Health, Safety and Security
Identify risks as they arise and carry out risk assessments,
taking immediate remedial action as required and updating risk assessments regularly
Adhere to the adverse event and serious incident reporting
policy and take appropriate action
Be familiar with and support implementation of safeguarding
policies, the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Promote an environment that supports infection prevention and
control policies and procedures, ensuring staff practice accordingly
Use equipment safely and in accordance with instructions and
departmental procedures, reporting faults as necessary
Governance
Ensure
that Hospice policies, procedures and standards are adhered to at all times
with particular regard to those concerning complementary therapy,
confidentiality, information governance, health and safety, prevention and
control infection and medicines management
Ensure
the effective utilisation of the Hospices computer based patient record
system, promoting the use of information technology for recording patient
information, communication and information sharing; implementing procedural
change as necessary
Ensure
that the department is compliant with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008
(Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and contribute to the Care Quality
Commission inspection process
Contribute
to effective outcome monitoring of service delivery in line with the above
regulation
This document is intended to convey an outline of the
post and the post-holders responsibilities.
You may be asked to carry out other duties relevant to your job role.
