Job responsibilities
OVERALL
PURPOSE: To
provide high quality care to people in their own homes, in conjunction with
other members of the Trinity hospice services whilst developing skills and
competencies in palliative care.
The
post holder will have a key role in providing support to patients in their own
homes who have palliative and end of life care needs, raising clinical
standards and promoting a learning environment for other health care professionals.
You will be responsible for planning, assessing, implementing, and evaluating
care in partnership with the Trinity services, District Nurses Team and out of
hours providers.
Main
Duties of Post
1.
Provide palliative care advice and support to patients, their families, and
carers.
2.
Assess
patients referred to the service and contribute to their total nursing care.
Managing symptoms by providing advice to both patients and carers.
3.
Monitor patients condition and report significant changes to the Community
lead nurse, GP and District Nursing Team, incorporating high standards of
individualised patient care.
4. Liaise effectively with other health care
professionals in the community and within the Hospice, receiving and sharing
information through effective communication.
5. Be responsible for managing the process of
receiving and responding to referrals to The services.
6. Prioritising workload of the team and
managing resource allocation as required.
7. Act as a mentor and role model for new staff
as they undertake their induction programme or students on placement.
8. Contribute to team meetings and handovers.
9. Supervise the work of Healthcare Assistants
and ensure hospice policies are followed.
10. Be prepared to cope with incidents or
emergency situations as they arise and report them to the Senior Nurse on duty.
11.
Cover a 24-hour nursing rota when the need arises and for the professional
development in the total care of patients requiring specialist palliative care.
General
Responsibilities
12. To undertake all mandatory training as
required by Trinity Palliative Care Services and participate in appropriate
in-service training as and when required.
13. Maintaining the strict confidentiality of
all information acquired especially about patients and staff.
14. To undertake an appraisal and personal
development review annually and through self-development, continuously update
and improve knowledge and competencies
15. 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 holders workload, which may affect other members of the Trinity team.
16. To manage all volunteers utilised in your
area and to develop effective working relationships providing regular feedback
on their performance.
17. To take responsibility for being up to date
with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these.
18. Co-operating fully in the introduction of
any new technology and new methods as appropriate.
19. To always promote the Hospice philosophy
and uphold the Trinity core values.
20.
Any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
Professional
function
Clinical
21. To contribute to the District Nurses
assessments of patients and development or implement of programme of care for
patients in their own homes.
22. To carry out specific treatments and
clinical procedures, basing clinical practice on current research-based
evidence.
23. To administer drugs and assist with their
ordering in accordance with NMC standards for the Administration of Medicines.
24. Perform all duties in accordance with NMC
Code of Professional Conduct.
25. Ensure that relevant health and safety
procedures are maintained within patient areas, either at their home or within
the Hospice.
26. To establish and maintain effective
communications and working relationships with the multi-professional team
within the community.
27. To use skilled communication to support
carers and families of patients receiving services from Trinity hospice at home
service and maintain trusting effective relationships.
28. To verify when a death has occurred,
notifying families and carers as appropriate, following the procedures carried
out within the community.
29. To ensure that patients and carers are
identified and appropriately referred to other services both from Trinity or
community.
30. To contribute to the development and
enhancement of patient care by participating in standard setting, policy
development and clinical audit of services.
31. Be responsible for co-ordinating flexible
care provision to enable patients to remain at home.
32. Work flexibly to meet service demands,
which will include unsocial hours.
33. Maintain accurate patient records in line
with Hospice guidelines.
34. To be involved in the development of
policies, procedures, and guidelines for the Trinity hospice at home service.
35.
To assist in auditing of the Trinity hospice at home service with team
leadership and participate in research where appropriate.
Learning
36. Complete and maintain Trinitys competences
as required by the role.
37. Develop own knowledge and skills in
palliative care, supported by current relevant research and contribute to best
practice development of Trinity hospice at home staff.
38. To demonstrate a commitment to continued
professional development by keeping up to date with current issues in nursing
practice and attendance at relevant study sessions.
39. Facilitate an environment that optimises
and develops knowledge and skills within Trinity hospice at home service
through reflective practice and education.
40.
Undertake Trinity symptom management portfolio to enhance clinical knowledge.
Personal
41. Use opportunities to extend clinical and
professional knowledge.
42. Accept accountability for own clinical
practice and maintain and continue professional development
43.
Ensure that all statutory regulations are adhered to in accordance with the Care
Quality Commission and the NMC guidelines.
Education
44.Support the education of families in helping
them to give care and support to the patient.
45.Participate alongside clinical mentor in
Education Programmes organised at the Education and Learning Centre for
Palliative Care Studies based at Trinity and in the Community Neighbourhoods.
46.Participate in educational events with the
public on the role of Palliative Care Services in the community as required.
47.Complete Symptom management portfolio.
48.Develop computer skills to maintain records
and collate statistics.
49. Support development of projects including
Virtual technology, single point of access and virtual ward.
