About this role
Job summary
Are you looking to join a caring and dedicated team who support local patients and those closet to them? We have an exciting opportunity for a Registered General Nurse to join our adult inpatient unit within Willow Burn Hospice.
We are looking to recruit a passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic nurse to join our clinical service. You will provide a high standard of skilled, holistic and compassionate nursing care. Our 6 bedded unit provides palliative and end of life care for patients with malignant and non-malignant life limiting illnesses and their families/carers. This includes excellent symptom control, psycho-social and spiritual support for patients at end-of-life care
Main duties of the job
Deliver the highest standards of nursing care to patients providing psychological and emotional support for both patients and families in an empathic manner, prior to, at the time of death and afterwards.
In the absence of the Clinical Lead take responsibility for patient care and the safety and security of the hospice and those within it. Also to accept and prioritise referrals to the unit, co-ordinating admission arrangements.
Be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patients care needs to include co-ordinating and monitoring the condition of patients along their palliative and end of life journey and report any variance in order to manage symptoms and care effectively and collaboratively.
Actively co-ordinate/participate in MDT, clinical supervision/ reflective sessions and staff meetings to enhance and improve patient care.
In addition to in-patient care, provide nursing cover when required to patients who are accessing Day Hospice Services.
Responsible for ordering, receipt, storage, stock checking, administration and recording of medications and implement changes according to the Accountable Officer audit findings.
Accountable for engaging in clinical decision making with medical staff from a number of GP practices, out of hours GP services and Palliative Care Consultants
Act as an information resource to district nurses, patients, carers, volunteers and member of the public on complex and sensitive issues relating to palliative care.
About us
Willow Burn Hospice opened in 1989 as a result of the work of two remarkable women, Irene Mortimer and Valerie Davison, who identified a gap in provision in the largely rural area of Derwentside. With the support of the Secretary of State for Health and funding from Macmillan, Irene and Valerie set up Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation. At that time the charity was a Day Hospice Service for North Durham. Over the years the charity has become fondly known as Willow Burn Hospice.
The service expanded in 1991 to include in-patient services and we opened the Sir Tom Cowie Health and Wellbeing Centre as a new home for our day services provision. In 2014, following very generous support from Helen McArdle CBE, we proudly opened a brand new six-bed hospice, which is widely recognised for the high quality of its design, built to reflect the comfort of being at home.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
To be the nurse in charge of the Helen McArdle In-Patient Wing, managing up to six patients for palliative and end of life care. This is an excellent and rare opportunity to work with our dedicated team of nurses and healthcare assistants in the state-of-the-art Helen McArdle Wing.
Why work with us
Willow Burn Hospice is an inspiring, friendly and rewarding place to work and from your first day with us you will be truly making a difference in Derwentside.
Responsibilities
Registered with Nursing and Midwifery Council
Work according to the NMC The Code -Professional Standards of practice and behaviour and relevant professional guidelines for a defined group of patients and take responsibility for:
Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of complex care packages in palliative care.
Work in accordance with the Willow Burn Care Strategy and contribute towards
achieving its objectives also adopt the vision and values in practice.
Participate in MDT meetings and Clinical Supervision as appropriate and to teach and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor/ role model to less experienced staff.
Acting as Nurse in charge, to maintain accountability for assessing, planning,
Implementing and evaluating programmes of care within the framework of team nursing.
Co-ordinate patients safe admission and discharge arrangements in accordance with Policy.
Promote a patient focused approach to care in collaboration with all relevant
health professionals.
Responsible for completing patient documentation correctly and in a timely manner. Be familiar with using IT for recording, communicating and managing patient care (S1)
Accountable for maintaining a safe patient environment.
Assist in establishing and monitoring protocols/care pathways by participating in audits and development.
Be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills
and professional awareness in accordance with revalidation requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice.
Contribute to annual appraisal/performance and be responsible for own competencies and Personal Development Programme which must be evidenced.
Establish a Clinical Link Lead role in a specific relevant area of practice, developing training resources and a knowledge base to support current evidence based care within the team.
Assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards and policies.
Assist in the training and development of Health Care assistants and students.
Contribute to research and development programmes within the department.
Maintain awareness of the national, professional and local quality issues
relevant to the delivery of nursing services, e.g. Clinical Governance.
Able to make clinical decisions in the patients best interest and ensure that they receive appropriate care and treatment.
Have some expertise in palliative care and to be willing to further any study in this area.
Able to work without direct contact and support of specialised medical personnel.
Palliative care experience in managing symptoms at end of life.
Service user involvement and engagement and the role of Hospices in advocating for service users.
Appreciation and skills in the delivery of rehabilitation and public health approaches in palliative care.
Experience and evidence of involvement in successful staff development.
Understanding of the range of stakeholders involved in the delivery and evaluation of service improvement.
Knowledge of key stakeholders and establishment of effective networks of agencies and communities of practice.
Understanding of local, regional and national policy drivers that impact on Hospice care and the delivery of quality services in palliative and end of life care.
Understanding of regulators requirements in relation to systems to ensure service user engagement, specifically CQC requirements for quality care delivery.
2. Specific tasks and duties:
Deliver the highest standards of nursing care to patients providing psychological and emotional support for both patients and families in an empathic manner, prior to, at the time of death and afterwards. This will be enhanced in representing the nursing team and supporting delivery of the monthly bereavement service.
Nursing practice must compliant with nursing policies and procedures.
In the absence of the Clinical Lead take responsibility for patient care and the safety and security of the hospice and those within it.
Be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patients care needs to include co-ordinating and monitoring the condition of patients along their palliative and end of life journey and report any variance in order to manage symptoms and care effectively and collaboratively.
In the absence of the Clinical Lead accept and prioritise referrals to the unit, co-ordinating admission arrangements.
Actively co-ordinate/participate in MDT, clinical supervision/ reflective sessions and staff meetings to enhance and improve patient care.
Responsible for carrying out the appraisals and one to one contact meetings for HCAs
Responsible for engaging, coaching and mentoring students on placement, HCAs and volunteers.
In addition to in-patient care, provide nursing cover when required to patients who are accessing Day Hospice Services.
Responsible for ordering, receipt, storage, stock checking, administration and recording of medications and implement changes according to the Accountable Officer audit findings.
Accountable for engaging in clinical decision making with medical staff from a number of GP practices, out of hours GP services and Palliative Care Consultants
Contribute in regular clinical audits as per the clinical audit programme.
Act as an information resource to district nurses, patients, carers, volunteers and member of the public on complex and sensitive issues relating to palliative care.
Be pro-active as a developmental practitioner to assess and maintain required competencies, identify and pursue training opportunities to contribute to self, peer and service development.
To represent Willow Burn Hospice at a local and regional level promoting services, contributing to initiatives and identifying new business opportunities whilst developing a network of contacts and partners.
Manage effective and productive relationships with new and existing stakeholders, resulting in confident and assured Executives.
Person Specification
Skills, Aptitudes and Abilities Essential
Pro-active problem solver who logically breaks down situations in order to draw reasonable conclusions from analysis. Benchmark own work against approaches of other Hospices and External environment, striving towards model practices in meeting regulatory standards and legislation. Demonstrate a flexible attitude to change which supports the Willow Burn Hospice in meeting existing and future needs. Proven ability to organise and prioritise workload, meeting deadlines, and been able to work under pressure and handle tasks simultaneously. Improve sustainability through own contribution towards continual review of procedures, processes and practices to embed a culture of continuous improvement. Demonstrate a can do attitude
Desirable
Staff development
Personal Qualities and Attributes Essential
Demonstrate Willow Burn values when managing the unit and making decisions Communicate positively and effectively Actively give and receive feedback in a constructive manner Strives for innovative practice Take personal autonomy and critically reflect in all actions undertaken Collaborate within own area of responsibility, and the wider organisation, through the participation of committees, working groups, and other internal or external events as required. Act corporately, promoting one team principle in achieving individual and team objectives.
Desirable
NA
Knowledge Essential
Proven ability to identify and adapt best practice that adds value to Willow Burn Hospice.
Desirable
NA
Qualifications Essential
NMC Registered Nurse Degree or working towards. Clinical qualification in Palliative and EOL care or willing to study to attain recognised qualification Evidence of development and professional progression
Desirable
Evidence of post qualifying study in Palliative Care. Nurse prescribing or willing to undertake study
Experience Essential
Clinical experience in palliative and EOL care Patient safety and clinical governance Service improvement and practice development
Desirable
Rehabilitation and public health approaches to palliative care
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 Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation
Address Willow Burn Hospice
Howden Bank
Lanchester
Durham
DH7 0QS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://willowburnhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)