Job responsibilities
Weldmar Hospicecare
Job Description and Person Specification
Job Title: Staff Nurse
Location: Inpatient
Unit, Dorchester
Hours of work: 30 or 37.5
Grade: Clinical
Band 5
Reports to: Sister, Practice Educator or Advanced
Nurse Practitioner
Responsible for: Oversee work of Health Care Assistants and
Junior Staff
Job Context
Weldmar Hospicecare is an independent charity that provides specialist
end of life care to patients and those that are important to them throughout
Dorset. This care is given in the comfort of patients own homes by Weldmar
Community Nurses, via Day Services held across the county or as inpatients at
our hospice in Dorchester. Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers ensure
that we can continue to support patients through one of lifes most difficult
journeys. We work closely with other health care providers including the NHS to
ensure that our patients receive the highest possible care.
We do receive some funding from the NHS but the majority of our income is
generated by our fundraising and retail teams, which plays a vital part in
securing income to fund our care, both now and in the future.
Our
Inpatient Unit is a 12 bedded palliative care unit caring for patients in the
last year of life. The unit has a multidisciplinary team approach to patient
care with an emphasis on providing high standards of care.
Job Purpose
To be an effective part of the Nursing Team
To ensure the provision of a high level of specialist palliative care within a multi- disciplinary approach, for patients and their family/carers.
To support the principles of team nursing, and oversee the work of junior staff
To actively participate in Clinical Governance programme
The Staff Nurse will take overall responsibility for the management of the unit, to act as nominated Fire Officer and supervise the staff team in the absence of the Sister (c.2-3 shifts a week)
To performance review up to 2 Health Care Assistants
Scope and Limits of Authority
Responsible and accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual care for the patient/carer on a day-to-day basis; referring to the sister as and when required.
The post holder is required to contribute to the supervision of junior/new members of staff in conjunction with the sister.
In absence of a Sister takes charge of the team and the inpatient unit as required
Helps foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale through mutual regard and respect
In absence of a Sister, maintains a skilled nursing presence so as to facilitate a team approach to nursing intervention and multi-disciplinary team working
Is aware of all Hospice policies & procedures and collaborates with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure they are adhered to
Works closely with the Sisters to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participated in the audit of clinical care
Promotes a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff, adhering to health and safety standards and infection prevention procedures
The post holder has no direct budget responsibility but must be aware of cost implications and make effective use of resources.
Job tasks
Professional
To be a safe practitioner and work within the NMC Codes of Conduct and Practice, maintaining registration and PREP; also ensuring that all staff within their sphere of responsibility follows the codes.
Responsible for offering `out of hours advice to other health care professionals
Management of pharmacy provision
Maintaining an overview across all patients within the unit
To practice safely according to the charitys policies, procedures and competencies.
To be responsible for maintaining a personal awareness of professional developments in nursing in general but particularly in palliative care and to undertake relevant further education.
Maintain quality of care by organising self and others, in assessing, planning, implementing and accurately documenting care, in accordance with the hospice philosophy
Acts as patient advocate
Managerial Responsibility
To maintain a safe environment within the ward areas and to ensure that all equipment is clean, safe and maintained in good working order
Attend monthly nurse team meetings (when available) for updating of all aspects of clinical and Organisation information and for support of colleagues. Also to attend meetings called by the Chief Executive Officer.
To participate in clinical governance and other corporate change projects as delegated
Act as a shift leader in the absence of a Sister, taking overall responsibility for the hospice and its environment, including:
-Undertaking all admissions and discharges, ensuring procedures and standards applied
-Booking of bank staff in order to ensure staffing quotas maintained
-Providing work allocation across the team
-Providing advice and support to all staff within the team
-Deployment and support of volunteers working in the clinical area
-Respond to any managerial changes or crisis quickly and to contact Lead Nurse, Director of Nursing or the Chief Executive at home for confirmation of the action taken or to request further assistance
-To meet with delegated staff every 6 weeks to review performance and complete 1:1s
-Under the guidance of Senior Sister/Sister conduct annual performance reviews in order to monitor the performance of delegated staff and provide professional development
Educational
To attend mandatory training
To update professional specialist palliative care knowledge by attending in-house and external courses, education sessions and conferences
To attend appropriate courses leading to recognised post registration qualification
To act as a mentor/supervisor to Health Care Assistants
Act as a link nurse for a specialist topic, appropriate to specialist palliative care, liaising with the general hospital and community colleagues
Participate in agreed audit and research programmes.
Act as a mentor/supervisor to nurses new staff, those attending courses or student nurses on placement.
