Flexi Bank Registered General Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

General

Employing over 300 staff and supported by 1000 volunteers, Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent is one of the largest hospices in the UK with units in Canterbury, Margate and Ashford. Each unit provides in-patient facilities, day hospice care and a team of Community Nurses to provide advice and support to patients in their own homes. All our services benefit from a well-resourced multi-professional team that includes counsellors, chaplains and a range of other dedicated therapy staff. In addition, the Hospice has a central services team comprising Human Resources, Education, Accounts, IT and Fundraising. Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent also has associated companies, Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Ltd. and Hospices Shops Ltd.

Job Purpose

The post holder is responsible for providing a high standard of palliative nursing care which reflects evidence based practice, encompasses patient choice and makes best use of valuable resources. This includes assessing, planning and implementing individualised and effective patient care and evaluating the outcome.

The post holder will be expected to communicate with professional colleagues in all settings and to participate in multidisciplinary decision making to ensure seamless patient care. He or she will facilitate training, education and induction programs for other qualified and unqualified staff and actively participate in clinical audit and research.

This role involves delivering nursing care in a variety of settings including the in-patient wards, out-patient clinics, day services and patients’ homes.

Clinical Responsibilities

Maintain a high level of nursing care through direct delivery of personal, emotional and psychological care for patients. Through effective assessment of each patient’s needs and preferences the post holder will plan evidence based nursing care, implement and continuously evaluate the care given and ensure this meets the needs of individualized patient care.

Undertake patient care as directed in the patients’ care plan in order to meet each patients care needs whilst maintaining independence as much as possible and maintaining privacy and dignity at all times. This will include for example hygiene and elimination needs, assisting eating and drinking and ensuring nutrition is maintained.

Successfully manage clinical emergencies specifically related to palliative care through swift recognition, instigating and carrying out any immediate actions and reporting and sharing information quickly.

Whilst responsible to the Senior Nurse Manager, the post holder will work competently and confidently without direct supervision to complete delegated work load, including maintaining skill mix and staff planning.

Facilitate successful discharge, where appropriate, according to patients’ needs and preferences.

Maintain safe and effective drug administration by administering all medications and setting up and maintaining subcutaneous syringe drivers according the Pilgrims Hospices and the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s codes and guidelines.

Maintain safe nursing practice by attaining and maintaining competency in clinical interventions in accordance with the Knowledge and Skills Framework for Band 5.

To be actively involved in the prevention of cross-infection, understanding and adopting the principles of infection control into practice in accordance with Pilgrims Hospices policies and procedures.

Finance/Resource Management

Promotes clinical and cost effective interventions to junior members of staff and provides suggestions to improve clinical and cost effective care to managers.

Audit/Clinical Audit/Research

Takes part in audit projects to inform standards of practice and undertakes research in line with own clinical development.

Education/Training/Teaching

Ensures own knowledge is up to date, undertaking mandatory training and attending workshops and training courses for the benefit of continued personal development, to learn new skills and increase knowledge.

Takes responsibility for ensuring that new staff receive support and education during induction and acts as a positive role model.

Promotes the work of the Hospice through collaborative working with clinical and allied professionals, participating in a multi-professional team working approach to support patients, families and carers irrespective of setting.

Contributes to the delivery of formal and informal education within Pilgrims Hospices.

Administration

Assess report and manage risks in line with Hospice policies, the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code and other statutory bodies.

Assist in the appraisal process for junior team members.

Contributes to the organization and running of the Hospice settings by undertaking administrative tasks as requested (e.g. ward staff rota, patient bookings)

Maintain adequate levels of drugs, dressings and general stores by ordering according to Hospice practice.

Promote a high level of consistent nursing care by participating in the development and implementation of clinical policies and protocols.

Information

Ensure all patient information is electronically recorded in a safe, accurate and contemporaneous manner through familiarity with and daily use of the Infoflex Patient management system and adherence to Hospice IT protocols.

Facilitate successful discharge where appropriate, according to patients’ needs and preference.

Contribute to multi-professional meetings, present patient information verbally and is able to vocally share knowledge and skills.

Communication

Provide sensitive and empathetic emotional and psychological support for patients and carers during the delivery of bad news, discussions relating to terminal care and during and after the event of death.

Attend multidisciplinary team meetings to provide nursing advice on patient and clinical issues ensuring that open and focused discussion is practiced.

Meet with patients’ carers to address and advise on nursing care, clinical practice, and patient related enquiries. Ensure patients and carers are informed with regard to patient choice, treatment and progress, whilst maintaining respect for the privacy and dignity of the patient.

Effectively communicate with other agencies to ensure continuity of care between the Hospice, Acute Trust, community and continuing care setting.

Adopt standards of behaviours in keeping with Pilgrims Hospice mission and core values and the NMC Professional code of conduct.

Personal/Professional Development

Attends all training and development courses as identified through the appraisal process and takes an active role in maintaining own personal development plan.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level registration
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• Post registration Nursing Course (Palliative Care Dip/Degree, ENB 931,237, or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Sound experience as registered nurse in specialist palliative care setting or to transfer skills from an associated environment
• Experience with mentoring student / junior nurses.

Desirable

• Mentoring and Assessing in Clinical Practice qualification or equivalent.

Other Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Organisational and managerial skills
• Teaching skills
• Supervision and staff support skills
• Knowledge of IT and ability to use IT appropriately in the workplace.
• Ability to work in a multi-professional environment
• Flexible approach to working patterns and the changing needs of healthcare

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent

Address

56 London Road

Canterbury

Kent

CT2 8JA

Employer's website

https://www.pilgrimshospices.org/jobs (Opens in a new tab)