Palliative Community Nurse

Our aim is to provide a responsive, flexible, high quality seven day palliative care service to patients and their families living in Kirklees. Our charitable purpose is to deliver palliative care services free of charge to people in a truly person centred way, recognising the different needs each individual has. We ensure that services are designed in collaboration with patients, carers and other agencies / teams involved in the individuals care.

The Kirkwood provides specialist care, free of charge, to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life, respecting their individual needs and wishes. Care and support are also provided for their family members, friends, and carers, both during the illness and after death. Through education, training, and partnership with others, we improve care for everyone affected by a life limiting illness.

As an employee, you will be offered a range of benefits, including 27 days holiday (pro rata for part time staff), access to our Employee Assistance Programme, high-quality, low-cost meals at our Dalton site and complementary therapies. NHS Pensions are also transferable for those already contributing.

Job Ref: 200

Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Job responsibilities

The role will focus on providing support to patients and their loved ones, enhancing patients' quality of life, promoting dignity and supporting the delivery of holistic care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), guided by personalised plans of care. Primary Responsibilities

To carry out holistic assessment of patients, families and carers with palliative care needs.

With the support and supervision of the IDT: plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs, wishes and culture.

Assess family / carer needs, and act as an advocate when required, escalating any concerns identified and the need for specialist clinical assessment / review.

Understanding of the different therapeutic options available to meet the needs of patients requiring specialist palliative care.

To demonstrate, teach and supervise simple procedures that can be safely delegated to patients and carers with support and approval from senior members of the IDT.

Deliver care in a variety of settings including patients' homes, The Kirkwood's in-patient unit and other community settings promoting independence and wellbeing, respecting individual choices.

Completing referrals to other disciplines / services, discussing these with the patients and carers as appropriate and ensuring the relevant documentation is completed.

To foster positive working relationships with other colleagues within the organisation to ensure effective patient care.

To be actively involved in discharge planning to ensure effective transition of patient care.

Maintain clinical competency as required to meet the needs of the patients both on community caseload and patients on the In-Patient Unit.

Attend and participate at regular IDT meetings within the organisation and also MDT meetings held within primary care networks.

Report incidents / concerns through the recognised channels, adhering to policy and procedure.

To be responsible for inputting data, effectively and timely onto SystmOne, adhering to Information Governance (IG) standards and The Kirkwood's policies.

Take responsibility for the workload as delegated by the Senior Palliative Care Nurse, effectively managing your own time and workload and communicate any issues / concerns.

Managing People / Self

To recognise own accountability and limitations.

Toparticipate in the annual appraisal scheme / personal development review in matching organisational aims with personal objectives.

To act appropriately in the event of a serious incident.

To identify poor performance and report to a relevant person for further action to be taken.

To attend mandatory training, relevant courses and study days / updates, as required in line with The Kirkwood policy. To keep up to date with current trends and procedures.

To be able to adapt to change in accordance with the needs of the teams and organisations.

Training and Education

To develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, accessing clinical supervision as appropriate.

To support colleagues and health care professionals to deliver a high quality palliative care service by sharing knowledge and expertise.

To act as a mentor, preceptor and supervisor to team members, students and other Kirkwood staff and volunteers as required.

To be actively involved in the development and delivery of education sessions for The Kirkwood.

To instigate, facilitate and support change in clinical practice in line with best practice.

To identify own training needs and ensure personal competence.

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with PREP requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice.

To contribute to clinical audit.

Management & Operational Development

To maintain accurate and timely written and computerised patient records.

Recognise when a situation is beyond your level of competence and responsibility seeking appropriate and timely support.

To participate in the induction, supervision and ongoing development of team members including clinical volunteers.

To be an active team member contributing to and supporting the teams agreed operational management and future service developments, representing The Kirkwood and our clinical services at external events and meetings.

To influence and implement improved ways of working through patient involvement and clinical experience and co-production of services, constructively contributing ideas and engaging in quality improvement processes.

To develop and build upon relationships across professional and organisational boundaries ensuring collaborative working.

To attend internal and external meetings relevant to the role and to the development of The Kirkwood's services.

To assist the clinical team in implementing efficient and effective services across Kirklees.

Research & Audit

To participate in policy and standard setting, review and audit.

Other Responsibilities

To work in accordance with the values of The Kirkwood. Patients, Families and Carers are the focus of everything we do. Our values are what we live and work by.

We are:

• Respectful and Inclusive
• Passionate and Determined
• Open and Honest
• Kind and Compassionate
• Forward-thinking
• We strive for Quality and Excellence

To participate in The Kirkwood's performance and development review process.

To undertake any other duties required by The Kirkwood's Management team commensurate with the post.

To undertake annual mandatory training provided by The Kirkwood.

To maintain complete confidentiality as a condition of employment. Information relating to patients, other members of staff and volunteers or which is acquired for the purposes of employment may only be disclosed with the express permission of the appropriate manager.

To respect the ethos and values of The Kirkwood and its services and comply with its policies, procedures and regulations.

This job description is not exhaustive therefore the employer and employee share responsibility to review and amend this job description in order to reflect any changes in role/development.

Person Specification Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• A full, clean UK driving licence with regular access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training in palliative care.

Experience

• Experience of working in a health and social care setting.
• Experience of supporting individuals with life limiting conditions or at end of life.
• Participation in audit and service development.
• Experience of working in a community setting or domiciliary care.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with a range of professionals and external services.
• Understanding of palliative and end of life care principles.
• Ability to act as change agent, while supporting peers and team members with this.
• Demonstrable IT and presentation skills.
• Able to provide personal care with dignity and respect.
• Excellent communication skills including active listening.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated team and as an autonomous practitioner.
• Demonstrates a positive & flexible approach to changing needs.
• Self-motivated and confident.
• Ability to work and promote The Kirkwood's ethos and values.
• Understanding of cultural and spiritual needs in palliative care.
• Knowledge of local health and social care systems in Kirklees.

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.