Job responsibilities
Job Role
To practice evidence
based expert palliative and end of life care, holding a flexible caseload
responsibility under the direction and guidance of Head of Nursing &
Research
To provide guidance,
education, mentorship and support to other Health Care Professionals (HCP) in
other agencies in order to develop and improve palliative care practice
To be an integral part
of the Community Nursing Service, responding to patient need as determined on a
daily basis
To participate in
audit and support service and practice development
Scope and Limits of Authority:
The postholder works
as part of the integrated team.
To provide guidance
and advice to other health professionals on the provision of holistic
management of patients. Provide evidence based specialist palliative care to
patients in the community, (at home, or in other care settings e.g. care homes.
To have responsibility for undertaking expert nursing assessments, developing
improved and informed palliative care practice within other agencies.
Cover for, and support
colleagues in the management of their caseloads. Working both in the community without direct
supervision and in partnership with other members of the multi-disciplinary
team, providing advice, guidance, expertise and support.
Recognise and work within own limits of competency and
experience, consulting with other members of the team as necessary
Maintain
accountability for practice following the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and
the Charitys Policies and Procedures.
No direct budget
responsibility but must be aware of cost implications and make effective use of
resources
Job tasks
Expert Clinical
Care
Undertake holistic initial assessments using highly
developed communication skills to discuss diagnosis, prognosis, symptom control
and end of life issues sensitively with patients and carers in all settings
including day services
Undertake thorough on-going assessment of patients
needs and those of carers and families
Provide knowledge, experience and evidence based
advice on palliative care and end of
life care to professionals in all settings Identify `at risk family members and carers and refer to appropriate
agencies
Provide emotional support to patients and carers and
referring on for specialised counselling, psychological or psycho-social
expertise as appropriate
Provide patients and carers with appropriate verbal
and written material regarding their care
Service and Team Contribution
Contribute to effective triaging of new referrals to
aid the most appropriate response
Attend meetings to optimise team working and allow for
an effective and seamless patient journey to improve the patients quality of
life through high standards of practice in palliative care.
Support the development and effectiveness of the Gold
Standard Framework
Together with colleagues, actively seek and identify
areas where changes to routines and practices will result in quality
improvements
Contribute to clinical governance
Maintain accurate records of nursing documentation
within the Charitys electronic patient data base system (SystmOne) and external
agency and shared information systems in accordance with legal requirements
Supervision of volunteers as required
Abides by all organisational policies and guidance in
relation to confidentiality and information governance
Acts as an ambassador for Weldmar Hospicecare in order
to raise the profile of the organisation at a local, regional and national
level as required
Management of own practice, in accordance with
organisation policies and procedures and professional codes of practice
Works both as an independent practitioner and as a
member of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring a seamless service
Develop and maintain knowledge of other agencies and
health providers within own catchment area
Provide guidance, advice, education and support to
other health professions to support the improvement of their palliative
care practice
Maintain accurate records and ensure confidentiality
in line with organisational and NMC requirements
Collect, collate, evaluate and report information
according to practice and organisational policy
Contribute to service development by identifying and
reporting gaps in service
Education,
Training, Research and Audit
Provide advice, coaching and guidance to other health
professionals in relation to palliative care, and identify local palliative
care training needs
Participate in the development and delivery of
training and education in palliative care, in the community, hospitals or
Hospice
Develop and maintain own expertise by keeping an up to
date awareness and understanding of
current research, knowledge and practice in order to underpin practice.
To be able to disseminate
current research, knowledge and practice in order to share
with
colleagues.
Communication
and Working Relationships
Undertake ongoing assessments using communication
skills to discuss diagnosis, prognosis and end of life issues sensitively with
patients and carers Act with the patients permission as their advocate
empowering them to take control through informed decision making
Develop and maintain effective relationships with
patients, their carers and close family, and professional colleagues.
Develop and maintain productive joint working and
advisory relationships with colleagues internally and key contacts within other
organisations and agencies
Proactively participates in opportunities for shared
learning and personal and professional development, including clinical
supervision and external networks
To be able,
following the necessary specific training, to have advance care planning
conversations with patients about their wishes for end of life care and in
particular decisions about whether resuscitation is appropriate or not.
Demonstrate
skills in conflict resolution and competent negotiation skills when dealing with
difficult or challenging situations.
Assess for
complicated grief and refer families and carers in bereavement to the
appropriate professionals for follow up where necessary.
To ensure a
duty of candour is followed when giving information to patents and their
careers
The Weldmar Community Nurse is a
palliative care practitioner who is competent to work alone providing an expert
advice service.
