Job summary
Are you a registered nurse looking for a new challenge? Are you passionate and enthusiastic about providing excellent palliative care?
St Helena hospice have an exciting new opportunity a Staff Nurse's to join our In-patient Unit.
You will be working as part of a team to provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic care needs.
This is an opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills to benefit your practice and the lives of patients and their loved ones through advanced communication skills, symptom control management and end of life care.
Previous experience in palliative care is not essential. We would like to welcome applications from enthusiastic Registered Nurses who have the desire to provide gold standard palliative care and make a difference to those in their care.
Interview Date: 26th July 2021.
Main duties of the job
Key Priorities
Provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care needs.
Organise day to day work tasks and direct less experienced or junior colleagues. Ensure that patient safety is maintained at all times.
About us
Please note that a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check will be undertaken as part of our pre-employment screening for the successful candidate.
St Helena provides a friendly, supportive and positive working environment across all our sites and diverse teams. We are an ambitious organisation determined to make a difference to local people across North Essex who face incurable illness and bereavement. That means working with us is a demanding but hugely fulfilling experience.
In addition to a lovely work environment we currently offer the following discretionary benefits:
Competitive salaries and holiday allowance
We invest in you, providing a wide range of training and development opportunities
Free parking
Employee Assistance Programme
All of our staff, whatever their role, share a common goal: to be here every step of the way for everyone who needs us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB TITLE: Staff Nurse
DEPARTMENT:The Hospice
LOCATION:Myland Hall, Colchester
KEY PRIORITIES
Provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care needs.
Organise day to day work tasks and direct less experienced or junior colleagues. Ensure that patient safety is maintained at all times.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate as a member of the inter-disciplinary team in assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating care and meeting the needs of patients: hygiene, elimination, nutritional, mobilising, pain, maintaining independence. Work as part of a team to provide psychological, emotional, spiritual and social support to patients and families whose lives are affected by illness, loss and grief
Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of valuables and belongings.
Assist at times with the post-bereavement family visit to collect certificate and view deceased.
Maintaining health & safety within the ward area i.e. ensure fire exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked & hazards removed and reported.
Ensure that all procedures are carried out are in accordance with agreed standards of care, and assist in identifying where existing standards should be updated.
Ensure Infection Control Policies and Procedures are strictly adhered to.
Ensure that all information recorded is in accordance with St Helena policy (i.e. patient records, incident/accident reports, computer records).
Ensure that all medication is administered in accordance with St Helena policy and NMC regulations
Supervise, direct and train new ward based volunteers, qualified and unqualified nurses, this will include addressing areas of poor practice.
Address body image and sexuality issues with patients and/or relatives.
Check and ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use.
Effectively manage time to meet the needs of patients.
Participate positively in Clinical Supervision in order to develop standards of clinical practice and for support.
Develop awareness of emotional needs of patients and families and the sensitivity and communication skills to meet these needs.
Act as co-worker for patients providing effective communication with key-workers in order to ensure continuity of care for patients across St Helena services.
Act as an advocate for patients as required.
Assist in the identification and appropriate allocation of resources.
Participate in the audit process and ensure that practice is evidence based.
Be aware of own emotional needs, relating to the palliative care environment, and how to meet them.
Ensure you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection control
Attend mandatory training as required by St Helena: people moving people, CPR, fire, vulnerable adult & child protection.
Complete Nurse Practitioner competencies within 18 months of joining St. Helena
Demonstrate and share continued professional practice development.
Assist in the identification and meeting of educational needs of other staff.
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES
To maintain personal professional status, ensuring that the requirements laid down by the relevant professional body for registration are compliant.
Exercise professional accountability as guided by the relevant professional body and maintained in accordance with the policies of the department and St Helena.
ANNUAL APPRAISAL
The post holder will be appraised on an annual basis and the process will include a review of the past years performance, setting of aims and objectives for the coming year and identification of educational needs.
TRAINING
All staff will undertake such training as is necessary to perform the duties allocated and any mandatory requirements of St Helena. This will include mandatory training in line with your job role
QUALITY
St Helena aims towards maintaining the goodwill and confidence of its own staff and of the general public. To assist in achieving the objective it is essential that at all times, employees carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic manner.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected and used throughout the NHS. The unauthorised use or disclosure of patient, staff or other personal information is a dismissible offence. The unauthorised disclosure of information could also result in a prosecution for an offence, or action for civil damaged, under GDPR.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VUNERABLE ADULTS
All St Helena employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards (and promotes) the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to St Helena safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.
This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs and after consultation with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB TITLE: Staff Nurse
DEPARTMENT:The Hospice
LOCATION:Myland Hall, Colchester
KEY PRIORITIES
Provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care needs.
Organise day to day work tasks and direct less experienced or junior colleagues. Ensure that patient safety is maintained at all times.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate as a member of the inter-disciplinary team in assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating care and meeting the needs of patients: hygiene, elimination, nutritional, mobilising, pain, maintaining independence. Work as part of a team to provide psychological, emotional, spiritual and social support to patients and families whose lives are affected by illness, loss and grief
Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of valuables and belongings.
Assist at times with the post-bereavement family visit to collect certificate and view deceased.
Maintaining health & safety within the ward area i.e. ensure fire exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked & hazards removed and reported.
Ensure that all procedures are carried out are in accordance with agreed standards of care, and assist in identifying where existing standards should be updated.
Ensure Infection Control Policies and Procedures are strictly adhered to.
Ensure that all information recorded is in accordance with St Helena policy (i.e. patient records, incident/accident reports, computer records).
Ensure that all medication is administered in accordance with St Helena policy and NMC regulations
Supervise, direct and train new ward based volunteers, qualified and unqualified nurses, this will include addressing areas of poor practice.
Address body image and sexuality issues with patients and/or relatives.
Check and ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use.
Effectively manage time to meet the needs of patients.
Participate positively in Clinical Supervision in order to develop standards of clinical practice and for support.
Develop awareness of emotional needs of patients and families and the sensitivity and communication skills to meet these needs.
Act as co-worker for patients providing effective communication with key-workers in order to ensure continuity of care for patients across St Helena services.
Act as an advocate for patients as required.
Assist in the identification and appropriate allocation of resources.
Participate in the audit process and ensure that practice is evidence based.
Be aware of own emotional needs, relating to the palliative care environment, and how to meet them.
Ensure you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection control
Attend mandatory training as required by St Helena: people moving people, CPR, fire, vulnerable adult & child protection.
Complete Nurse Practitioner competencies within 18 months of joining St. Helena
Demonstrate and share continued professional practice development.
Assist in the identification and meeting of educational needs of other staff.
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES
To maintain personal professional status, ensuring that the requirements laid down by the relevant professional body for registration are compliant.
Exercise professional accountability as guided by the relevant professional body and maintained in accordance with the policies of the department and St Helena.
ANNUAL APPRAISAL
The post holder will be appraised on an annual basis and the process will include a review of the past years performance, setting of aims and objectives for the coming year and identification of educational needs.
TRAINING
All staff will undertake such training as is necessary to perform the duties allocated and any mandatory requirements of St Helena. This will include mandatory training in line with your job role
QUALITY
St Helena aims towards maintaining the goodwill and confidence of its own staff and of the general public. To assist in achieving the objective it is essential that at all times, employees carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic manner.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected and used throughout the NHS. The unauthorised use or disclosure of patient, staff or other personal information is a dismissible offence. The unauthorised disclosure of information could also result in a prosecution for an offence, or action for civil damaged, under GDPR.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VUNERABLE ADULTS
All St Helena employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards (and promotes) the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to St Helena safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.
This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs and after consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena
- Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Hospice philosophy and the work of St. Helena
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN/RMN
- Successful completion of: Holistic End of Life Care Course or equivalent.
Desirable
- Diploma of Credit Palliative Care or equivalent
- Communication skills
Communication
Essential
- Proven written and verbal communication skills.
- Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
- Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by patients
Qualities
Essential
- Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
- Flexible to meet needs of service.
- Physically able to undertake the job.
- Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure
- Proven ability to manage time effectively
- Proven ability to problem solve
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience as a registered nurse.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs
- Experience of working with people with sensory and learning disabilities
- Previous palliative experience
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena
- Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Hospice philosophy and the work of St. Helena
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN/RMN
- Successful completion of: Holistic End of Life Care Course or equivalent.
Desirable
- Diploma of Credit Palliative Care or equivalent
- Communication skills
Communication
Essential
- Proven written and verbal communication skills.
- Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
- Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by patients
Qualities
Essential
- Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
- Flexible to meet needs of service.
- Physically able to undertake the job.
- Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure
- Proven ability to manage time effectively
- Proven ability to problem solve
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience as a registered nurse.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs
- Experience of working with people with sensory and learning disabilities
- Previous palliative experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
