11 Oct
St Raphael's Hospice
Sutton
Job description
Job summary
Despite recent cost efficiencies within areas of ourhospice , our IPU is not affected and we are keen to ensure that our ten beddedunit is fully staffed.
Areyou a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional with a passion formaking a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families?
Doyou have the expertise and leadership skills to guide a team in providingexceptional palliative care? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you tojoin our Inpatient Unit (IPU) as a Clinical Lead in Palliative Care
Main duties of the job
TheInpatient Unit Clinical Lead will work in partnership with senior managers andplay a key role in leadership and development of the Inpatient (IPU) Service.
As an experienced clinical practitioner, the post holder will be pivotal indeveloping clinical practice, ensuring continuous quality improvement andembedding the Hospices clinical governance agenda.
Part of the remit of thisrole is to innovate and support new ways of working that demonstrate a moreefficient and patient focused service.
About us
We are a 10 bedded hospice, serving the communities of Merton and Sutton by supporting those with life limiting conditions to live their lives as fully as possible.
Caring for people at the end of their lives can be challenging, but it can also be immensely rewarding.
Working at St Raphaels means being part of a small, friendly and forward thinking team; we work collaboratively and every voice is important.
We are ambitious; committed to developing and supporting our staff, whilst providing an excellent standard of care to our patients and those important to them.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the on-going development of best clinical practice and high standards of care within the IPU service, including the development of policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Maintain an awareness of changing practice and innovation within specialist palliative care.
- Lead by example through fostering and maintaining excellent inter-disciplinary communication
- Demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise, leading the Inpatient team to ensure provision of the highest standard of nursing care and clinical excellence to patients and those important to them.
- Foster a supportive, open and positive environment for staff, encouraging initiative and facilitating evidence and research-based practice.
C linical
- Demonstrate clinical excellence and a high standard of nursing practice within the field of specialist palliative care and to act as a resource and role model to colleagues
- Practice both autonomously and collaboratively, encompassing the skills of advanced physical assessment and non-medical prescribing within an agreed scope of practice.
- Maintain effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Assume a shared responsibility, alongside the Band 6 nurses, for the IPU environment in a manner which reflects the hospice vision and values
- Provide and / or oversee mentorship for student nurses and post registration nurses during educational placement on the IPU
- Take responsibility for safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with the hospice policy, legal requirements and the NMC guidelines
- Support and supervise IPU-based volunteers
- Ensure a high standard of nursing documentation and confidentiality of all patient information
- Demonstrate an in-depth awareness of safeguarding including risks and reporting processes
Management
- Provide highly visible and accessible professional leadership for the IPU nursing and admin staff
- Meet regularly with the team as a whole and on an individual basis as required to support their professional and personal development.
- Act as first line manager to band 6 senior staff nurses, providing leadership, guidance and professional development with regular performance reviews.
- Organise and facilitate regular IPU meetings in order to ensure communication of relevant information to all IPU staff
- Ensure adequate staffing levels and skill mix with consideration of acuity and effective use of nursing resources
- Participate in recruitment, selection and induction of new staff
- Support the development of IT systems within the IPU
- Attend meetings such as Heads of Departments, Clinical Heads of Departments, Quality Improvement Committee, Infection Control and Health and Safety
- Participate in Crisis cover for IPU in situations whereby staffing levels on the IPU are deemed unsafe, in conjunction with other senior healthcare colleagues.
- Deputise for the Clinical Director in her absence, in conjunction with the Community Services Manager
Strategic
- Demonstrate a robust understanding of the contemporary healthcare landscape and changing legislation appropriate to specialist palliative care.
- Communicate regularly with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that relationships are developed that support the Hospice management plan
- Collaborate with counterparts in the other SWL hospices and beyond, to encourage and increase partnership working and influence with our funding streams.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Professional Registration
- Completion of a Degree, preferably at Masters level
- Experience of leadership / management at Band 7 or above in a Hospice and / or oncology / community establishment, or acute setting caring for patients at the end of life.
- Ability to inspire and lead a team
- Experience of initiating service improvement with demonstrable outcomes
- Evidence of continued professional development and statutory mandatory training.
- Robust understanding of specialist palliative care.
- Advanced physical assessment skills
- Knowledge of current clinical and professional issues relating to palliative care.
- Understanding of governance, audit and research.
- Committed to maintaining own personal learning and development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Understanding of risk management,
health and safety at work and infection control
- Sensitivity and compassion
- Good health / attendance record
Desirable
- Non-medical prescriber
- Publication in healthcare journals
- Presentations or poster submissions at a national level
- Mentorship / Preceptorship course
- Audit / Research