Northern Ireland Hospice

Job Description

Post:Staff Nurse (Waiting List)

Location:In Patient Unit, Somerton House

Reports to:In Patient Unit (IPU) Manager

Responsible to:Head of Adult Hospice Clinical Services

Minimum Qualifications:As detailed in the Job Specification

Role

  • The assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of high quality and collaborative patient and family care in Northern Ireland Hospice Adult In-Patient Unit as required.
  • The post-holder is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care initially under direct supervision from the In Patient Unit Manager, Deputy In Patient Unit Manager or Nursing Team Leader.
  • He/she will be required to work within the remit of the multi-professional team.

Clinical Practice

  • Works under the direction of the In Patient Unit Manager, Deputy or nurse in charge ensuring that the programmes of patient care are carried out to agreed standards.
  • Develops skills in the assessment and care of patients with advanced progressive disease, and their families.
  • Shares the responsibility within the nursing team for the planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised programmes of care for patients and their families/carers.
  • Maintains a high standard of nursing care at all times.
  • Observes and reports on the individual patient’s condition according to agreed policy and maintains patient’s records as required.
  • Develops good communication skills with patients/families/carers, to promote beneficial therapeutic relationships.
  • Recognises own professional limitations and works within his/her scope of practice.
  • Acquires clinical competencies as defined by the needs of the service.
  • Adheres to DHSS&PS guidelines for the safe handling, administration, storage and custody of medicinal products.
  • Participates in informal teaching to patients, families/carers.
  • Supervises the work of unqualified staff.
  • Participates in writing and auditing standards of care.
  • Undertakes clinical audit in collaboration with the Multi-professional Team.
  • Liaises with the Primary Health Care Teams, Hospice Community Service and Day Hospice, as and when required.

Educational and Professional Development

  • The post-holder will undertake and complete the required induction programmes as set out by Northern Ireland Hospice.
  • Accepts responsibility for his/her own professional development.
  • Participates in clinical supervision.
  • Promotes evidence based practice and contributes to research and development activity to enhance patient and family care.
  • Participates in staff exchange placements with other establishments.
  • Undertakes an annual staff development and performance review
  • Attends all mandatory training sessionsand completes the e-learning training applicable to the role.
  • Works in partnership with the Link Lecturer and Education Team to ensure that the learning objectives of pre and post registration students are met.
  • Participates in the assessment of nursing students on placement.
  • Disseminates knowledge gained from courses, seminars and work experience to colleagues across the multi-professional team.

Management

  • Co-operates in the off duty/annual leave arrangements to ensure that the In Patient Unithas adequate cover at all times.
  • Ensures the economic use of supplies and resources.
  • Ensures a safe environment for all patients, visitors and staff and, in the absence of same, communicates with the appropriate department.
  • Participates in the orientation and induction of new staff.
  • Occasionally co-ordinates the work of other qualified and unqualified staff.
  • Supports and supervises volunteers.

Professional Responsibilities

  • Maintains up to date Registration with the NMC and adheres to NMC guidelines.
  • Ensures that he/she reads, understands and acts in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures of Northern Ireland Hospice.
  • Ensures that he/she is aware of and acts in accordance with such regulations as laid down by statutory bodies that pertain to Northern Ireland Hospice.
  • Develops good interpersonal relationships with all members of the multi-professional team.
  • Reads all communications posted in the Unit and acts in accordance with same.
  • Attends in-service lectures, study days and courses as appropriate
  • Recognises signs of stress in self and colleagues and reports as appropriate to the line manager.
  • Attends Departmental and Team Meetings.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT MEANT TO BE DEFINITIVE AND MAY BE AMENDED TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF NORTHERN IRELANDHOSPICE.

NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICE

Employees of Northern Ireland Hospice are required to support its mission which is:

“To provide a range of holistic in-patient and community specialist palliative and rehabilitative care services(for children, young people and adults) , in an environment of learning and research, enabling individuals with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses and their families to maximise the quality of their lives.”

Northern Ireland Hospice is also committed to the following core values, which employees are expected to apply in all relevant aspects of their work:

Personal

Affording due and equitable attention to the individual and diverse needs of each of our patients, family members, carers, volunteers, staff, and supporters

Passionate

Affirming the individual and organisational commitment to the highest standards of care and excellence in all that we do

Professional

Applying appropriate skills and experience, in an ethical and/or responsible manner as each situation demands, to ensure the best possible outcomes for all concerned

Pioneering

Constantly striving for innovative and creative solutions to old and new challenges

General Responsibilities

  • Members of staff are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat all those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
  • Staff are expected to demonstrate their commitment to Northern Ireland Hospice by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
  • All staff must comply with Northern Ireland Hospice Smoking Policy.
  • All duties must be carried out in compliance with Northern Ireland Hospice Health and Safety policy and statutory regulations.
  • Northern Ireland Hospice is an Equal Opportunities Employer. You are required to adhere to Northern Ireland Hospice Equal Opportunities Policy throughout the course of your employment.
  • All information relating to patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and must not be divulged to any unauthorised person at any time, unless to do so is in the best interest of the individual. A breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Northern Ireland Hospice Disciplinary Procedure.

Northern IrelandHospice

Job Specification

Post:Staff Nurse

Band:Based on Band 5

Department:In-patient Unit (Adult)

Location:Somerton House

Contract:Waiting List for Full-Time/Part-Time/Bank

Essential Criteria

  • Registered Nurse on the current NMC Register Adult Level 1 (Applicants awaiting Registration may apply).
  • Evidence of recent professional development.
  • Good interpersonalskills.
  • Good written and oral communication skills.
  • Highly motivated and enthusiastic with an interest in and knowledge of palliative care.
  • Ability to use initiative.
  • Ability to work as a team member demonstrating flexibility and reliability.
  • Willingness to undertake an education/personal development programme.

Desirable Criteria

  • Evidence of working in a specialist palliative care setting.
  • Evidence of recent academic achievement relating to palliative care or willingness to undertake same.
  • Skilled in use of computer

HR/Job Descriptions/Staff Nurse/September 2017