Job responsibilities
The Hospice at Home Team provide both
a planned and reactive service to those deemed to be in their final weeks of
life requiring specialist palliative care advice and support.
The Hospice at Home Nursing team specialise
in providing palliative care and support to patients at the End of Life. The H@H
specialists nurses provide clinical assessments, advice on symptom management
at end of life and provide clinical interventions to enable the patient to
remain at home.
The team are supported by the
wider multi-professional team within St. Michaels Hospice.
The service is supplementary to,
and works alongside, other health care services within North Hampshire.
You will be responsible for the
assessment of the persons care needs. You will develop, implement and evaluate
care plans in conjunction with patients, relatives and other professionals
ensuring individual physical and psychological needs are met.
Responsibilities
Proactively
assess, plan, implement and evaluate patients based on an agreed plan of care,
that supports quality and timely care, in line with their needs
Create
and maintain good relationships internally with the wider community palliative
care team as well as other community health and social care providers.
Provide
reactive work to the need of the workload coming in per day, and prioritise
appropriately
Mentor,
support and supervise the work of junior colleagues, unqualified staff,
students, and volunteers
Actively enable the education and
development of professionals involved in the care of palliative service users.
Clinical
To develop a high level of
clinical expertise in the field of palliative and end of life care
Develop the knowledge of initial
assessment, history taking, physical examination and psychosocial functioning
of patients in a holistic manner.
Develop skills to review and
interpret all information available utilising a systematic process of complex
diagnostic reasoning to make a working and differential diagnosis while under
direct supervision.
Develop and record a treatment
plan consistent with the outcome of assessment and most probable diagnosis and
taking into account patient wishes and preferences.
Assess patients and advise
colleagues regarding the treatment of appropriate reversible causes.
Recognise when patients are
approaching the last weeks / days of life and adjust care accordingly to meet
their needs and priorities.
Provide nursing skilled clinical
interventions within the home/community setting
Proficient in verification of
death process
To be able to support and provide
care for patients and their families at the time of death taking into account
any spiritual or cultural needs.
Support of clinical colleagues
and team members following a patients death or distressing situation.
Support equality and diversity.
Be able to plan and manage own
workload / caseload in a flexible manner ensuring that service provision meets
the needs of patients.
To be willing to undertake
advanced practice accredited courses at masters level.
Communication
Participate in discussion during
multi-professional meetings.
Provide clear and concise
handovers to colleagues to improve coherent care across the service
Review, evaluate and update
nursing care, ensuring accurate documentation and reporting in accordance with
NMC guidelines and SMH policy
Apply empathetic communication
and approach discussions in a sensitive and dignified manner.
To liaise and develop effective
relationships with external health care professionals and other agencies
ensuring patient continuity across all care settings.
Attend and participate in team
meetings and clinical supervision.
Management
Manage allocated resources
effectively. Ensure competency in the
use and function of equipment report malfunctions.
Manage time in an efficient and
appropriate manner, showing the ability to triage, delegate and plan work
accordingly.
To report any feedback, concerns
or complaints from patients, their relatives, or other advocate, to the Team
Lead as appropriate.
To ensure team cohesion and
spirit is maintained, through ongoing supportive relationships and
consideration of colleagues at all times.
Take opportunity to empower and
lead junior colleagues to enhance their knowledge and build confidence.
To adhere to the lone working
policy in the community.
Management of student
Education
Show competence in supporting
student nurses in Practice Assessor roles.
Contribute and participate in
professional teaching sessions both internally and externally.
Maintain own clinical ability by
ensuring level of knowledge is based on current evidence-based research.
To maintain up-to-date clinical
experience and knowledge and be able to provide evidence of this for nursing
revalidation.
Through SMH annual appraisal,
encourage professional growth and identify areas for personal and professional
development
To strengthen and develop
clinical skills across all care settings in conjunction with line manager.
Take keen interest in service
enhancement and improvement, taking ownness for improving the services.
Research and Audit
To
implement findings of evidence-based practice
Participate
in research and audit within the SMH environment as appropriate to the service
area.
To have
a basic awareness of current research and developments within palliative care
settings.
Professional
To
understand and work within relevant legislation and SMH philosophy, mission and
values.
To be
mindful of own professional behaviours, conduct and practice, when working as
part of a multi-disciplinary team.
To be
accountable for own professional practice within the NMC Code of Conduct
To
ensure knowledge about patients is maintained in the strictest confidence, and
is not divulged, except to professionals where it would materially exist with
the programme of care or protection of the individual.
General Responsibilities
Work to maintain the values,
vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.
Additional Duties In discussion with the line manager to undertake
work, as and when required, in support of St. Michaels Hospice as an
organisation.
Public Relations To represent St. Michaels Hospice in the community
and public domain, including social media, appropriately.
Undertake all statutory and
mandatory training, as required.
To be conversant with and adhere to all St. Michaels Hospice Policies
and Procedures.
Be responsible for upholding and promoting St. Michaels Hospice
safeguarding policies, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals,
and promptly reporting any concerns or incidents in accordance with established
procedures.
This is an outline job description and may be subject to change,
according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.
Take responsibility for own personal safety and of others whilst at
work. You will take appropriate action or report any concerns to address any
health and safety issues that you or members of your team may be aware of.
This job description is an outline of the role and
responsibilities. From time to time, due
to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties
that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work,
internal job rotation and absence cover.
