Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist - Hospital Team

Job responsibilities

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Providing support to the Specialist Palliative Care Team, and developing skills to provide expert advice and support to patient, families, carers and other health and social care teams in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre acute trust.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To develop skills and competencies to provide specialist palliative care knowledge, expertise and support to patients, carers and all other health care professionals to maximise the patients’ quality of life.

JOB PURPOSE:

The intention is that the post holder has an opportunity to develop their skills in palliative care and increase their clinical competencies and skills, moving from intermediate to advanced clinical practitioner in this defined area. The post holder will have a key role in providing support to patients who have palliative and end of life care needs, raising clinical standards and promoting a learning environment for other health care providers. You will be responsible for planning, assessing, implementing and evaluating care in partnership with the ward based staff in the acute trust. The post holder will take responsibility for the management of the designated case load in the absence of the CNS.

MAIN DUTIES OF POST

· Assess patients requiring palliative care in the acute trust and contribute to their total nursing care and management of symptoms by providing support and specialist advice to both the patient, carers and health care professionals.

· Participate in the development and delivery of management plans. Reviewing and undertaking assessments as required for the management of complex symptoms.

· To liaise with the health care professionals in the acute trust and other members of the Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialist Team

· To liaise and work closely with the Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialist Manager, Cancer and end of life care lead and Palliative consultants to maintain an effective service.

· Set and maintain high standards of patient care in Palliative Nursing,

· Demonstrate enhanced communication skills, when dealing with patients and families.

· Undertake discussion regarding advanced care planning.

· Take referrals direct from, Ward staff, Hospital Consultants and Clinical Nurse Specialists.

· Support the Clinical Nurse specialist to maintain a designated case load, ensuring effective use of resources and regular review of patients, prioritising workload and managing resource allocation when required.

· Feedback to designated caseload holders

· Advise and liaise with third sector and voluntary organisations regarding patients requiring Specialist Palliative Care.

· Contribute to the assessment and prioritisation of patients for admission to the Hospice.

· Advise and liaise with hospital doctors regarding pain and complex symptom management, care needs, admission to Hospice or referral for appropriate care.

· Develop enhanced skills to understand family dynamics and give specialist emotional and psychological interventions to the patient and carers as needed.

· Liaise with Hospice Chaplains and the Clergy in order to provide spiritual support when needed.

· Continue to support relatives during bereavement, as appropriate. Identify problems and refer them for appropriate care to the Linden Centre.

· Keep accurate and up to date nursing records of each patient, reporting and discussing any problems which may occur with Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialist mentor, Manager and Hospice Consultant as appropriate.

· Keep accurate records of patient contacts and submit statistical returns and compile reports as required.

· Be involved in audit of patient care and participate in research programmes to promote high standards of Specialist Palliative Care.

· Attend staff meetings, communicating information as appropriate (End of life project group, CNS education and business meetings, Site specific MDT’s).

· Maintain confidentiality in all matters, presenting a professional attitude at all times.

· Attend daily admission meetings as required.

· Attend weekly board meetings with hospital consultants and palliative care team.

· Be prepared to cope with incidents or emergency situations as they arise and report to senior nurse on duty.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

· To undertake all mandatory training as required by Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services.

· Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially with regard to patients and staff.

· To participate in the appraisal and personal development reviews annually

· Improve knowledge and utilise competencies to influence self-development.

· To be a co-operative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team, ensuring that all members are aware of any issues in the post holder’s workload, which may affect other members of the Trinity team and identify to the Line Manager.

· To take responsibility for being up to date with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these.

· Cooperating fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate.

· To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold the Trinity core values.

· Any other duties that may be reasonably requested.

CLINICAL

· Support the management of an identified caseload of patients with advancing disease who require Specialist Palliative Care and communicate with the case load holder regarding the progress of such.

· Develop expert clinical skills to manage patients with complex Specialist palliative care needs

· Develop advanced communication skills to enable patients and carers to make informed choices regarding their care and management.

· Act as patient advocate in often emotionally charged situations involving other health care professionals, family and carers.

· Maintain accurate records of all patient, carer and healthcare professional contacts so the activity of the Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialist Hospital Palliative Care Team can be audited and evaluated.

· Record all contacts in our IT system as required to fulfil the minimum data set requirements

· Assess and refer appropriately to other Hospice services with the consent of the patient.

EDUCATION

· Support the education of families in helping them to give care and support to the patient.

· Participate alongside clinical mentor in Education Programmes organised at the Education and Learning Centre for Palliative Care Studies based at Trinity and in the acute trust.

· Participate in educational events with the general public on the role of Palliative Care Services in the hospital as required

· Work actively towards degree using opportunity to extend clinical and professional knowledge.

· Complete Symptom management portfolio.

· Develop computer skills to maintain records and collate statistics.

PERSONAL

· To seek Clinical Supervision from clinical mentor and community Consultant as appropriate for complex clinical scenarios.

· Use opportunities to extend clinical and professional knowledge. Take responsibility for own professional development, identifying training and development needs to line manager. Participate in 1-1’s

· Ensure personal safety in accordance with the Lone worker policy

· Monitor relevant research developments and disseminate the findings to patients, relatives and colleagues in the extended Health Care Team as appropriate to promote effective patient care.

· To join with other staff in the promotion of the overall Palliative Care Service as appropriate.

· Comply with Nursing and Midwifery Council Regulations. For professional registration and practice.

· To undertake and support appropriate research activity and ensure awareness of and act in accordance with Health and Safety at work.

· Promote the family of services at Trinity

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service.

Qualifications

Essential

• First level RGN, minimum 3 years post registration experience. Registered with NMC.

Desirable

• Diploma in palliative care/ Formal qualification in palliative care
• Educated to degree level or willingness to undertake
• Teaching/ mentor qualification
• Advanced communication skills

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Highly enthusiastic & motivated to promote the values of Trinity
• Positive attitude to change and flexible work practice
• Excellent communication skills
• Good attendance/health/time keeping record

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to car

Experience

Essential

• Previous palliative care/transferable experience
• Experience of working independently and as part of a team
• Experience of co-ordinating workload for self and others
• Ability to work unsociable hours and across the needs of the service
• Ability to prioritise workload around competing demands on time

Desirable

• Experience of working in the acute trust

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good knowledge of palliative care
• Ability to use IT system (EMIS) and support data collection
• Ability to organise & supervise others
• Ability to develop & influence practice

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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