Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job description

Job responsibilities

We run a 7 day a week service supporting patients with advanced life limiting conditions. The post holder will share a caseload of patients who have specialist palliative care needs including complex symptoms, psychological care, rehabilitation and end of life care.

This post offers the framework to develop the knowledge and skills required to perform the role of Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. This secondment offers an exciting opportunity for an individual to improve their skills and subsequently impact on the delivery of palliative care on their return to their role post secondment.

You will be closely supported through a programme of education, clinical supervision and practice development which will be designed to meet your specific learning needs.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic nurse with a genuine interest in palliative care, along with a commitment to continuous learning, teamwork and mutual support.

You will need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly as part of the MDT.

You will need to be resilient and able to influence in order to cope with the demands of the role and the needs of the service.

We look forward to hearing from you if you are an experienced registered nurse with a background in providing palliative care for patients and have a real desire to pursue a career in palliative and end of life care.

Informal visits are encouraged so please get in touch if you would like to know more.

Liaise closely with all teams and all agencies that may be involved with the care and support of the patient and family.

Assess, advise on medication changes within own knowledge base and monitor symptom control, liaising with clinical teams under the guidance of Palliative Medicine Consultants, advising on appropriate medication changes and management plans.

To develop skills to undertake initial assessment of patients referred to the Supportive and Palliative Care Team, advising / negotiating with the clinical Team, family and patients of the rationale of treatment.

As part of the multi professional team, be sensitive to the teams needs and support and actively participate in ensuring these are met.

To establish and maintain good relationships, clear lines of communication, and support, for other agencies involved in the care and management of patients and their families both internally and externally to the hospital.

To support families/carers during illness and in bereavement if appropriate. Identify bereavement risk and refer for ongoing support in bereavement care if required.

Advise on appropriate discharge for specialist palliative care support.

To ensure good flow of information between patients, families, clinical teams and other members of the Specialist Palliative Care Team by discussing potential appropriate admissions to Mountbatten Hospice, and other specialist Palliative Care Units with the relevant GPs and Specialist Palliative Care doctors.

Provide situational education around the use of syringe drivers, the use of the UHS individualised end of life care plan and symptom control.

Support clinical and management teams in the delivery of Trust objectives and broader local ICS and national end of life care initiatives.

Person Specification

Trust Values

Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.
• Confident of own knowledge base, aware of learning needs and seeks guidance when appropriate.
• Able to critically review and communicate clinical information.

Desirable

• Counselling qualification
• Registered on MSc Pathway - completion of HTPA Competencies
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Palliative care course
• IT training
• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.
• Interest in nurse -led care.
• Organisational/strategic awareness.
• Clear about professional accountability and autonomous practice components of role.

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Communication
• Organisational skills
• General IT skills
• Negotiation skills
• Self-motivated
• Interpersonal skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Southampton

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)