Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
To deliver care as assessed by the Fast Track, to patients
and their families/carers, in accordance with the Hospice Philosophy. This will
include:
Working in the patients home alongside the patients carer/ family integrating
nursing care with their physical, psychological and spiritual needs.
Assessing patients and carers needs and report to the Team Leader and
Specialist Community team.
Identifying
and reporting of any significant changes in the patients condition or
well-being.
Collecting information
that informs care.
Appropriately mobilising, transferring and moving patients, taking into account
the guidelines of safe moving and handling practice and using mechanical aids
where necessary.
Ensuring infection
prevention and control measures are in place in the home.
Participating in the care of the patient and family after death.
Recognising limitations and refer on to other professionals as appropriate.
Knowing who to contact in an emergency.
Assisting with meeting the nutritional and hydration needs of patients
including serving meals and drinks and assisting with feeding.
Escorting patients home on discharge from Hospice/Hospital and ensuring that
patient has basic needs met on arrival at home, ie, shopping if necessary.
Assisting patients in
their individual personal hygiene routines, including washing, dressing, mouth
care and toileting.
Accommodating and respecting the social and cultural needs of the patient and
family.
Supporting and facilitating the orientation and teaching of colleagues and
students.
Maintaining effective liaison, communication and relationships with all of the
Hospice multi-disciplinary team.
Reporting incidents, accidents and complaints via the relevant systems and
following the guidelines and policies within the hospice.
Communication
Demonstrating warmth and acceptance of patients and their families.
Building a relationship with patients, their relatives and friends,
demonstrating a non-judgmental approach.
Effectively communicating information, orally or in writing, to other members
of the team.
Maintaining confidentiality.
Accurately reporting and recording work activities according to organisational
procedures using the Electronic Patient Record System as well as notes in the
patients home.
Acknowledging others different perspectives.
Recognising that people are different and ensuring that they do not discriminate
against other people.
Participating in any ongoing discussions and handovers relating to the care of
patients and their families/carers.
Practicing excellent communication skills with patients, family and members of
the multi-disciplinary team including showing empathy and understanding and
communicating sometimes complex information where there may be barriers to
understanding.
Contributing positively to anti-discriminatory practice, actively promoting
equity and diversity.
Recognising and reporting
behaviour that undermines equity and diversity.
Demonstrating empathy and
sensitivity, and being realistic in encouraging and supporting patients and
their families.
Utilising resources appropriately to address impediments to communication e.g.
patients with dysarthria, aphasia, non-English speaking.
Being comfortable to remain alongside patients and families in distress.
Communicating the values and mission of Community Hospice for Greenwich and
Bexley to patients and families.
Education &
Training
Identifying their own learning needs and interests.
Accessing educational and development opportunities.
Reflecting and learning from own practice, e.g. through clinical supervision
sessions and debriefing.
Provide general information to patients, carers, and other professionals.
Quality
Working within the multidisciplinary team to ensure that patient dignity is
respected at all times both before and after death, including acting as the
patients advocate and caring for patients after they have died.
Participating in relevant audit programmes.
Assisting in maintaining equipment to a high standard of cleanliness and safety
and ensuring that the patient is in a clean and tidy environment, including the
changing of bed linen where necessary.
Ensure all practices and procedures are in accordance to hospice policy and
guidelines.
Deliver a high standard of care in accordance with agreed guidelines and
protocols.
Recognise the limits of their competence.
Work
in a way that minimises risks to health, safety and security.
Summon immediate help for
any emergency and take the appropriate action to contain it.
Grief & Loss
Providing support for distressed patients, bereaved relatives, students and
colleagues. Including giving advice to families on practical issues following
death and describing the support services available for bereaved people and
colleagues.
Education &
Training
Identifying own learning needs, liaising with their respective line manager and
attending training sessions, clinical supervision, courses and study days as
appropriate.
Supporting a positive
learning environment.
Using staff appraisal
constructively for personal and professional development.
Additional
information
Working in unpleasant conditions at times including dealing with soiled linen,
commodes, body fluids etc.
Post
holder must hold a full driving licence
