HEART OF KENT HOSPICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Band 4 Associate Nurse

Reports To:Head of Community Outreach

Accountable To:Patient Services Director

Responsible for:Participating as one of the multidisciplinary specialist palliative care team in the provision of the highest standard of holistic care for hospice patients in the community and outpatient settings

Main Responsibilities:

Working under the direction of the Head of Community Outreach Team to –

  • Provide holistic nursing care to the patients in the community and outpatient settings
  • Act as a role model and mentor to colleagues and patient care volunteers
  • Communicate effectively with patients, relatives and with the whole multidisciplinary team.
  • Accountable for own professional practice according to the -
  1. Clinical Practice

1.1 To practice as a professional Associate Practitioner giving direct patient care and act as a role model colleagues and volunteers

1.2 To demonstrate and promote patient centred care and ensuring privacy and dignity is practiced at all times.

1.3 To work closely with the multidisciplinary team, creating a collegiate approach to patient care.

1.4 To maintain personal approach to patients, relatives and carers ensuring their physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs are met.

1.5 To demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence.

1.6 Work with the Community Outreach Team to facilitate a “Complex Care Day” for appropriate patients to attend Magnolia Place Outpatient Centre one day a week. This day will include assessment, advance care planning, symptom control and day case clinical interventions.

1.7 Assist with the assessment of nutritional needs and ordering of meals, distributing drinks and meals and help feeding those who require assistance.

1.8 Communicate relevant information about attendees to theSenior Nurse, including any changes in condition.

1.9 Understand the concept of loss and be able to contribute to supporting

relatives, and carers.

1.10 Maintain a respectful, non-judgemental and caring attitude towards all those who attendand their families and carers.

1.11 Undertakeroutine interventions as delegated by the Senior Nurse e.g.

  • Routine urine collection and testing.
  • Simple dressings.
  • Stoma care.
  • Testing and recording of blood sugars.
  • Taking and recording of temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
  • Venepuncture
  • Supervise patients taking oral drugs, (including controlled drugs in line with local operating guidelines) and administer inhalers, nebulisers and creams under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or, Drin line with the Hospice drug policy.
  • Report on and participate in risk assessments as required.

1.12Carryout cleaning of equipment as necessary and report any defects in

equipment to your line manager

1.13Assist with transport arrangements for those attending the Complex Care Day in Magnolia Place Outpatient Centre, liaising with volunteer drivers or Patient Transport Services

1.14Support the assistance provided by our team of volunteers within the Magnolia Place, reporting back as required to the line manager.

2.Professional Competence

2.1 To ensure that he/she does not perform any delegated duty for which he/she

does not possess the necessary knowledge, skill or experience.

2.2 Keep up to date with current legislation, professional practice issues and

relevant developments in palliative care and rehabilitation as appropriate to the

role.

2.3 To identifypersonal development and training needs throughclinical supervision

and the performance review and appraisal process and undertake relevant

training as appropriate.

2.4 Undertake relevant competency development.

3. Education, Training and Research

3.1 Support new and junior colleagues and also volunteers in their development.

3.2 To assist as appropriate in the delivery of training sessions. This may include

both external and in-house training.

3.2 To participate in research/audit projects as appropriate.

3.3 To carry out outcome measures, patient questionnaires and patient surveys as

directed by the Head of Community Outreach Team

4. Management

4.1 To attend meetings pertinent to organisational and professional responsibilities.

4.2 Ensure the economic use of resources, assisting in the ordering of supplies and

maintenance of appropriate stock levels.

4.3 Undertake clerical duties as appropriate.

4.4 Where necessary, assist in co-ordinating methods of “off duty” planning and

annual leave booking arrangements.

4.5 To participate in the Hospice performance review and appraisal process. Attend

all statutory and mandatory training and training and development identified

through individual performance reviews.

4.6 Provide equality for all patients by practicing and promoting non-discriminatory

and inclusive practice and contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse.

5. Communication

5.1 To promote close harmonious working relationships and good communication links

withcolleagues and volunteers at all levels throughout theHospice and the wider

community.

5.2 To maintain full, accurate and confidential patient/client records, both in computer

and written form, in accordance with mandatory legal requirements and the

Hospice standards for documentation.

6. Public Relations and Marketing

6.1 To take an active role in the promotion of Heart of Kent Hospice to local

bodies and organisations.

6.2 To participate in the production of promotional material for distribution to potential

stakeholders.

6.3 To support fundraising/volunteer events as appropriate.

6.4 To promote the Living well Programme

7. Clinical Governance

7.1 To take personal responsibility for risk management in his/her work and

undertake to review practices and learn from experience.

7.2 To support the Hospice’s Clinical Governance programme.

7.3 To participate in the development, review and audit of quality standards and

contribute to the process of continuous quality improvement throughout the

Hospice.

7.4 To comply with the Hospice’s policy and procedure in handling any complaints.

7.5 To maintain accurate up-to-date statistics as required in both written and

computer form.

7.6 To develop and maintain evidence-based practice.

7.7 To be aware of and comply with relevant Hospice policies and procedures and

participate in their review and development as appropriate.

7.8 To participate in periodic strategic service reviews.

8. Health and Safety

8.1To take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others that may

be affected by what you do while at work, and to co-operate in the

implementation of the Hospice’s Health and Safety Policy.

9.General

9.1 To conduct yourself at all times in a manner befitting the post and the

professional dignity of the Hospice, and ensure that the Hospice is positively

represented to the public and other stakeholders.

9.2 To work as a member of the Hospice to foster the team’s mission statement and

to have a commitment to the cause of helping patients and their families with

palliative care needs.

9.3 To preserve the confidentiality of information acquired by virtue of the position.

9.4 To carry out such other duties which may reasonably be requested.

This job description is a broad reflection of the current duties. It may be amended and developed in the light of experience and will be the focus for objectivesetting in an annual appraisal.

Band 4 AN Community Outreach

March 2018

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