Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Support the Ward Manager and Director of Clinical Services provide clinical nurse management, leadership, and expertise in all aspects of service delivery within sphere of responsibility.
2. Delegated operational responsibility for the management of the Unit in the absence of the Ward Manager.
3. Take the lead on the shift, taking responsibility of staff, patient care and other unit matters as required.
4. Deputise and represent the Ward Manager and Director of Clinical Services at key meetings if required, ensuring that comprehensive verbal and written feedback provided.
5. Take on the leadership of specific projects as agreed by the Ward Manager/Director of Clinical Services.
6. Be familiar with ward budget and support the Ward Manager and Director of Clinical Services with budget setting, ensuring the efficient and effective utilisation of resources, both human and financial.
7. Support the Ward Manager and other senior staff in the performance review process, which includes regular review and annual appraisal, individual personal development plans to monitor staff performance against agreed objectives, role competencies and behaviours.
8. Manage sickness and absence on a shift basis and in the absence of the Ward Manager manage in line with policy, in partnership with HR and the principles of safe staffing.
9. Support the Ward Manager in investigating and responding to accidents, concerns and untoward incidents and other significant events.
10. Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff, including interview panels and formal induction programme.
11. With the Ward Manager participate and where appropriate lead audits, ensuring recommendations and implications to practice clearly communicated and actions undertaken.
12. With the support of the Ward Manager, ensure that effective and appropriate educational support provided to staff at all levels, including the maintaining of training records
13. Continually develop clinical expertise and act as a positive role model promoting a high standard of care to fulfil the Nightingale House Mission statement and aims.
14. Deliver evidence-based care to patients and their carers in line with their physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs.
15. Demonstrate effective leadership skills, promote and maintain continuity of high standards of nursing care deputising for the person with continuing responsibility.
16. Lead on the planning and organisation of staff delegation and activity for patients, and in discussion with staff make short-term adjustments to duty rosters.
17. Responsible for ensuring the ongoing assessment of care needs, the planning, delivery and evaluation of care; and to offer supervision and support to staff in the clinical area.
18. Provide supervision and guidance to staff as appropriate and required within role and responsibility.
19. Work at all times in line with the NMC code of conduct and duty of candour requirements.
20. Able to plan own workload and that of others, prioritising in accordance with the complexity of patients and their families.
21. Take responsibility for own and others standard of care and ensure care provided holistically, to a high standard and on time.

Clinical

1. Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to provide holistic care, integrating nursing care with psychosocial and spiritual needs.
2. Assist with initial and on-going assessment of patient and family needs and develop skills as a named nurse.
3. Act as a senior nurse to plan, initiate, supervise and participate in patient and family care, discussing issues with other senior team members as appropriate.
4. Evaluate and up-date nursing care plans in response to the changing problems/needs of patients and families, ensuring those completed by other staff are reviewed for accuracy and quality.
5. Monitor nursing practice, encouraging development of colleagues through discussion of current and proposed care plans.
6. At all times maintain appropriate and adequate records of your work, and ensure other members of the team maintain same standard.
7. Maintain effective communication with patients and families throughout their contact with the hospice; providing when necessary: -
8. Telephone support and advice, ensuring this is both structured, recorded and provides evidenced based advice
9. Access to nursing/medical staff for conditional information or future planning.
10. Information and access to allied professionals.
11. Bereavement support and access to follow-up support.
12. In discussion with the Director of Clinical Services and Ward Manager identify an area of special clinical interest in which to develop additional knowledge and skills to act as a link nurse for the rest of the team. Support other staff to do the same.
13. As necessary or required develop awareness and experience working on the unit during all shifts and also within other services across the hospice i.e. family support, days services and rehabilitation, to extend knowledge and skills in this specialist setting.
14. Lead patient case reviews, discharge planning and team meetings.
15. Actively participate in all aspects of the patient experience of hospice care from initial assessment and admission through to discharge planning and placement.
16. Work at all times within the policies and guidelines appropriate to your role.

Management:

1. Regularly take the lead on shift, being responsible for other staff, patient and family care and other unit matters as appropriate.
2. Monitor and respond to incident, accidents and concerns ensuring corrective action undertaken.
3. Liaise with multi-professional agencies within the hospice, community, primary care, and hospital to provide continuity of patient care.

1. Responsible for maintaining high standards of nursing care, when in charge of the team and unit, and help to create and maintain positive relationships between all groups involved in the welfare of patients.
2. Responsible for the co-ordinating of all activities when in charge of the team supported by the Ward Manager and Head of Clinical and Patient Services.
3. Ensure the promotion of safety, well-being and the interests of the patients, staff and visitors to the in-patient area as directed in the hospice guidelines, policies and procedures.
4. At all times follow the Code of Professional conduct and to ensure that all staff within their sphere of responsibility also follow professional requirements.

Education and Development

1. Assist with working groups and projects through active participation and skills input.
2. Identify own and others learning objectives and attend relevant study/shadowing opportunities following discussion with line manager/nurse management team.
3. Maintain records of supported study and provide evaluation of study attended, (for inclusion in own and others personal files).
4. Adhere to NMC revalidation requirements at all times.
5. Participate in feedback (verbal and written) to colleagues throughout the hospice regarding study days attended.
6. Actively participate in personal review and objective setting at initial 6 month review meeting and subsequent PDR meetings with line manager/senior nurse.
7. Develop and maintain up to date knowledge of relevant hospice policies and the impact they have on individual practitioners including: -

• Fire policy
• Moving and handling policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Confidentiality Policy
• Complaints Policy

Audit and Research

1. Be aware of and disseminate to colleagues current best practice knowledge as appropriate to role.
2. Work in partnership with the Ward Manager to develop appropriate tools to monitor effectiveness of services /area of special interest in care provision at Nightingale House Hospice.
3. Participate or if appropriate lead in the completion of service audits in an appropriate and timely manner and feedback to colleagues, making recommendations regarding implications (if any)

Clinical Governance

1. The post holder will cooperate with other team members to maintain compliance with relevant elements of the clinical governance framework.

Risk management

Service User participation

Staff and Staff Management

Continuing Professional Development

Information Governance and Management:

Clinical Effectiveness and Audit:

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience relevant to this care setting
• Experience of working with people with life limiting conditions and the impact this has on the individual as well as their family
• Experience of undertaking holistic needs assessments and developing care plans
• Experience of undertaking audit and implementing research into clinical practice
• Minimum of 1 year taking charge of the Unit

Desirable

• Implementing evidenced based practice

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC registration
• Evidence of post registration study and training relevant to role

Desirable

• Awareness of wider issues relevant to speciality
• Leadership or Management Course

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

Nightingale House Hospice

Address

Chester Road

Wrexham

Clwyd

LL11 2SJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To work with individuals with a life limiting illness (and their families and carers) who are in need of emotional support due to the impact of a terminal diagnosis and illness.

• Assess and evaluate patients emotional, social, practical, and financial needs in collaboration with the Hospice multi-disciplinary team, and support or signpost accordingly.

• To make referrals on to the Local Authority Social Service Departments as appropriate and in accordance with their differing requirements.

• Work with the in-patient unit team to plan and coordinate family meetings and discharge planning meetings to facilitate patients preferred place of care or future placement.

• Undertake bereavement work with individuals, and families/carers, with complex needs, which may require extended periods of skilled, planned interventions.

• Provide support and advice to other clinical team members regarding complex social situations.

• Understand and respond to ethnic, cultural, and religious influences on the patient, carers and family and bereaved individuals.

• Provision of information and advice for patients and their families and carers relating to all manner of practical matters such as housing, care at home and benefits.

• Establishing effective communication networks with local Social Services Departments and Primary and Secondary care teams.

• In partnership with the Family Support Team Lead develop positive working relationships with other organisations throughout North Wales (voluntary, statutory, and charitable) for the benefit of the patients and relatives.

• Provide innovative interventions to patients and their families and carers at different key stages of the Specialist Palliative Care Service.

• Collect and monitor all appropriate data as required and enable appropriate analysis and actions to be applied to collated information in order to develop services.

• Communicate effectively with all members of the Hospice multi-disciplinary team using a variety of formats both face to face and written.

• Observe confidentiality in all matters pertaining to patients and their families and carers and staff.

• Comply with professional standards for documentation and maintain records used within the service, including the use of IT systems.

• Required to be registered with the Social Work governing body and maintain registration by continuous professional and personal development.

• To possess the emotional resilience to deal with frequent exposure to highly emotional and distressing circumstances.

• To be flexible in working practice (outside core hours) to reflect the special nature of the work undertaken to the benefit of the patients and their families and carers.

• Resource for staff in adult and child safeguarding concerns to support the safeguarding lead at the Hospice.

Management

• To manage own caseload with regards to time management.

• To supervise trainees or volunteers as necessary and required (including Social Work students where applicable).

• To deputise as necessary for the Family Support Team Lead.

Clinical Governance

• To manage clinical and organisational risk within the workplace, undertake risk assessments regarding lone working, external site visits as necessary.

• Ensure the equality, diversity and rights of patients are promoted and maintained in all areas of clinical governance and service provision.

• To work within Nightingale House policy at all times and professional regulatory framework and code of conduct.

• To ensure patients and their families and carers views are fed back through the appropriate channels to team leaders or senior management team.

• To support the work of colleagues in undertaking audit and research in the department.

Education and Development

• In collaboration with other specialist staff, participate in the ongoing training and development of staff within the Specialist Palliative Care Service.

• Participate in student education when appropriate and in the interests of patient and wider teams.

• To participate fully in the reflective practice and supervision process following an agreed path of personal development.

• To recognise the educational needs of families and carers and act accordingly as a result of their caring role or palliative care need?

• To access appropriate training and educational materials on behalf of patients and carers as a result of their caring role or palliative care need?

• Working with other members of the Family Support Team, be involved in design and delivery of training for staff inside and outside of the Hospice e.g. Primary and Secondary care, schools bereavement networks etc. NB: external activities must be managed within the demands for the service in-house.

• To undertake appropriate and relevant professional training and qualifications if considered to be part of agreed personal and professional development plan

Audit and Research Activity

• To collect data as required of service activity.

• To undertake surveys or audits as necessary to own work.

• To participate in Hospice clinical audit or research work.

• To present findings of research and audit to a variety of professional groups as appropriate to maintain the profile of the service within the wider health community.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified social Worker
• BA(Hons) social work, or
• Dip SW or CQSW
• Post qualifying award

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

Nightingale House Hospice

Address

Chester Road

Wrexham

Clwyd

LL11 2SJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Provide expert spiritual support to patients and those close to them, staff and volunteers, in order to contribute to the delivery of a high standard of holistic palliative care.

2. Supervise and support Spiritual Care Volunteers, in order that a high a standard of spiritual care care is provided across all settings.

3. To assess, develop and implement pastoral and spiritual care to children, young people and adults including those close the them as they come to terms with their own particular situations.

4. Provide compassionate emotional, spiritual and pastoral support to families, carers and significant others before and after the death of a patient.

5. Offer individual bereavement support through active listening, emotional support, spiritual care and signposting to specialist services where appropriate.

6. Assess the spiritual, emotional and bereavement needs of patients and families, identifying those who may require additional support or referral to specialist counselling or mental health services.

7. Facilitate conversations around anticipatory grief, loss, end-of-life concerns, meaning, hope and coping strategies. Maintain contact with bereaved relatives in accordance with hospice policies, offering follow-up support and information regarding available bereavement services.

8. Be available, particularly around end-of-life situations, liaising with the clinical team to offer spiritual support to the dying person and those close to them.

9. Assist in the planning and delivery of remembrance services, memorial events and other opportunities for families and staff to commemorate those who have died. Support people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures, ensuring bereavement care is inclusive, sensitive and person-centred.

10. Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic bereavement care is integrated into the patient's and family's care journey.

11. Provide guidance and support to staff experiencing grief following the death of patients, colleagues or personal losses.

12. Contribute to the development, evaluation and continuous improvement of bereavement support services within the organisation.

13. Maintain accurate and confidential records of bereavement interventions in line with organisational policies and professional standards.

14. Promote awareness of grief, loss and bereavement issues through education, training and support for staff and volunteers.

15. Liaise with the Patient Flow team to triage referrals to the service and ensure appropriate prioritisation and allocation of support.

16. Demonstrate and maintain close working relationships with Nightingale House multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to patient review meetings as required, in order that full information is available and considered.

17. Complete relevant electronic patient records ensuring compliance with GDPR and Hospice policy, in order that full and accurate information is held and appropriate confidentiality is maintained.

18. To work with colleagues to develop and expand their coping skills to enable them to work more effectively with families in crisis.

19. To support and/or facilitate debrief and supervision sessions for the multi-disciplinary team.

20. Contribute to the bereavement services provided by the Hospice which includes planning, facilitating and performing relevant rituals for the deceased and bereaved. And, and, where required, support bereavement support services offered by the organisation such as bereavement group drop in.

21. Assist with recruitment, induction and training of volunteers in the Chaplaincy provision to ensure the delivery of an effective service that meets the needs of patients and those close to them.

22. Cooperate with regular audit and evaluation of Nightingale Houses Chaplaincy provision to ensure continued effectiveness and improvement of services.

23. Responsible for Nightingale Houses spiritual care spaces to ensure the availability of spaces suitable for reflection and/or prayer for all.

24. Assist the organisation of Nightingale Houses remembrance events, offering a level of bereavement and emotional support during these events.

25. Review and advise on the updating of Nightingale houses spiritual care policies and guidelines, to ensure they are up to date with trends and developments in spiritual care in Hospices, the Alliance of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains (AHPCC)

26. Be a registered Chaplain with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC)

27. Maintain and develop collaborative relationships with local faith, belief and cultural communities.

28. Flexibility to promote and develop the Spiritual Care services to families, staff and the wider community.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Appropriate Degree level qualification with further qualification(s) in Pastoral Theology or Healthcare Chaplaincy.
• Membership of the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains.
• Evidence of CPD.

Desirable

• A recognised Mindfulness qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of providing spiritual, pastoral and/or religious support in highly complex, emotional and distressing situations, e.g. trauma or similar.
• Significant experience of leading public and memorial events.
• Significant experience of taking a leading role in institutional spiritual care issues such as training, support, ethical discussions and policy review.
• Significant experience of leading and motivating volunteers to deliver safe and effective care and support.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a hospice or health care setting.
• Experience of policy and/or standards development.

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

Nightingale House Hospice

Address

Chester Road

Wrexham

Clwyd

LL11 2SJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)