Home Care Sister (Band 7)

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Responsible for comprehensively assessing the clinical needs of all patients referred to the Service, using a Holistic approach to care with the aim of supporting their wish to return to, or remain in their own home.

Use evidence based practice to inform care and ensure the highest quality of nursing is practiced.

Carry out Clinical and Risk Management Assessments of the needs of Patients, and their families, referred to the team

Working closely with the Home Care Team, to respond to referrals to H@H, FastTrack, and Pall 24 appropriately utilising available resources in the most effective and timely manner.

Liaise directly with the patients GP, District Nurse, or Clinical Nurse Specialist to develop appropriate home support services, attend case conferences, joint assessments and multidisciplinary team meetings, as required.

Liaise closely with other care agencies involved in the care of the patient, encouraging effective and efficient use of resources (Social Services, Continuing Care Teams, and Hospital Discharge Liaison Teams).

Working as part of the Home Care Team providing high quality patient led care, to provide hands on care as required. Work with the Home Care Manager to review and ensure all patient documentation meets Nursing & Midwifery Council guidelines, and that care plans are regularly reviewed and evaluated.

To refer appropriately to the hospice bereavement service, in consultation with family members.

To assist in the development of patient and professional information about the service.

To monitor compliments and feedback to the service, and investigate and report on complaints in conjunction with the Director of Patient Services.

Act as clinical advisor and supporter to future team members, initiating reflective sessions and debriefing of clinical incidents.

Ensure the service is provided in accordance with Hospice policies and procedures, and research and produce an operational policy and procedures as required.

Managerial

Working closely with the Home Care Manager, to support third party contracts for provision of care, (including Marie Curie, care agencies) & work to ensure consistent packages of care.

Support the Home Care Manager with professional development of self & the team using the appraisal process.

Support the Home Care Manager with regards to recruitment, performance management, and management of sickness absence.

Communicate and liaise effectively with Hospice and community colleagues, promoting and constantly marketing services and Hospice philosophy.

Prepare and submit relevant reports including statistics and budget monitoring evidence to, the Director of patient Services, and participating in internal and external meetings as required.

Be responsible for the Health & Safety aspects of the service with particular reference to implications of working in a patients home + lone worker issues.

Work in conjunction with the home care manager and quality lead to ensure future developments of the Service, through audit and evaluation of the service.

Education and Professional Development

Support the development of the hospice clinical education strategy and lead its implementation within your teams.

Take responsibility for own professional and clinical growth, whilst seeking to broaden ones own knowledge base and skills, maintaining a record of professional development and also take responsibility and ensure the appropriate training needs of staff is met, and ongoing training and development is delivered to staff.

Take part in the hospice induction program and the on-going support of new members of staff volunteers

Support the learning and development of students, staff and other learner in conjunction with the Education and Professional Development Managers

Working with Senior Nurses and the Education and Professional Development Managers to support nurses on the Preceptorship Program ensuring appropriate mentorship is allocated and maintained.

Contribute to teaching programs for staff within and outside the hospice

Engage in the training of volunteers who are assigned to work in clinical

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Post registration qualification in a relevant area of clinical practice
• e.g. palliative care, oncology, community practice
• Recognised teaching or assessing course
• Degree in relevant Health Care related subject
• Advanced communication skills training or counselling course

Desirable

• Post registration qualification in community practice
• Qualification or evidence of additional training in leadership

Experience

Essential

• Have a range of post-registration clinical experience at a senior
• clinical level
• Experience in palliative care, oncology or relevant field of clinical
• practice, commensurate with the seniority of the role
• Experience of working in a broad range of settings including
• acute, primary, social care and independent sector.
• Experience of managing and leading a team or service
• Experience of staff development and appraisal setting

Desirable

• Experience of leading a team through change

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication/ interpersonal skills including ability to
• network, build and sustain relationships
• Expert knowledge of the end of life pathway and the patientcentred approach
• Self-awareness of own coping strategies and ability to work in a
• changing environment
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
• Ability to work flexibly in order to fulfil the responsibilities of the
• role, including out of hours cover
• Knowledgeable about current issues in nursing and health and
• social care generally
• Committed to the values of St Lukes Hospice
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Good computer literacy
• Knowledge of Clinical governance

Desirable

• Experience and skills in Quality Improvement methodology

Other Requirments

Essential

• Car owner with a clean driving licence

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).