Admiral Nurse
Job Title: / Admiral Nurse, Farleigh HospiceGrade: / Band 7 equivalent
Location: / North Court Road
Hours: / 37.5 hrs a week
Managerially accountable to: / Team Leader CNS team
Professionally responsible to:
The focus of the Admiral Nurse role is to help improve dementia care within Farleigh Hospice and the mid Essex area, through the provision of specialist dementia nursing expertise in supporting people affected by dementia. People affected by Dementia includes patients, families and carers.
Summary of Responsibilities:
· To develop the Admiral Nurse service at Farleigh Hospice
· To enable people living with dementia who have specialist palliative care needs to attain the best quality of life and symptom management at the end of life.
· To provide specialist nursing assessment, evidenced based interventions, practical advice and emotional support for people affected by dementia
· To provide a responsive, flexible, high quality community specialist dementia care service to patients with advanced dementia and their families, ensuring that the service delivered reflects the hospice aims and strategy
· To provide leadership on and offer expertise and guidance to the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT), the general public and others in supporting family & relationship–centred approaches and best practice in dementia care.
· To support the delivery of key quality and performance indicators and evidence the impact relating to dementia care, including the experience of families.
· To promote and influence the delivery of evidence – based practice, including up-to-date clinical advice on palliative care with support and liaison, and in negotiated circumstances education and training to other staff/agencies.
· To apply and use the Admiral Nurse competency framework at an enhanced/ specialist level to support the development of own Admiral Nursing practice at an advanced level, and support the development of others.
· To contribute to and make effective use of Dementia UK Clinical Supervision and Practice Development to support the development of Admiral Nurse practice.
1. Main Duties:
1.1 To meet the multiple and often complex needs of people affected by dementia through ongoing assessment of health and wellbeing, including risk assessment; developing, implementing and evaluating intervention plans.
1.2 To influence, recommend and provide a range of effective evidence-based interventions for people with dementia at the end of life, paying particular attention to loss, transitions and changing relationships.
1.3 To support people i.e. patients, families affected by dementia and /or colleagues, to develop skills and competencies in understanding and coping with challenges and difficulties they may face, in both individual and group situations. For example, managing complex conditions; adapting responses when supporting the person with dementia; changes in relationships, distressed behaviour.
1.4 To support the delivery of a range of psychological and social interventions to promote health and assist with the alleviation, prevention and management of stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health needs of carers
1.5 To maintain clinical records using the patient database and provide verbal and written feedback appropriately and as required, to carers, persons with dementia (as appropriate), referring agencies and professional colleagues.
1.6 To work collaboratively with GPs, case managers, primary health care practitioners, statutory and voluntary agencies and influence the delivery of evidence based care for people affected by dementia, to better support their end of life care.
1.7 To support quality improvements, which promote the health and wellbeing of people affected by dementia, in line with health and social care policy, guidelines and legislation.
1.8 To provide and promote advocacy for family / carers (with permission) to facilitate access to services and influence care provision
1.9 To identify development options for addressing inequality and to contribute to strategies designed to improve access to services for people with dementia and carers who are socially excluded.
1.10 To ensure that care is delivered in accordance with Admiral Nurse Service Standards and other relevant local and national standards such as those recommended in NICE guidelines, national dementia and carer strategies/ plans and all Farleigh Hospice policies.
1.11 To recognise the limits of own competency and professional boundaries in self and others and to make appropriate and timely referral in respect of clients needs.
1.12 To facilitate and participate in case conference meetings, network meetings and similar, giving feedback and liaising with all concerned.
1.13 To provide consultancy and guidance to those working in dementia care and to work collaboratively with health/social services and the voluntary and independent sector (as appropriate) to support best practice in dementia care.
1.14 To promote the rights, interests, needs and choices of people affected by dementia in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care and services.
1.15 To facilitate consultation with carers about care and service delivery; to evaluate and provide feedback.
2. Professional
2.2 To attend and actively participate in monthly practice development days, including clinical supervision; recommended training/education, including the Admiral Nurse Competency module and the Admiral Nurse Forum as supported by Dementia UK.
2.3 To maintain professional registration in line with NMC guidance including re-validation and use of the electronic portfolio, ‘Pebblepad’, as provided by Dementia UK, demonstrating evidence of advanced level practice.
2.4 To ensure all nursing practice is carried out in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures of host organisation, Dementia UK, the NMC Code of conduct and other relevant nursing policy
2.5 To keep up to date with the latest evidence base, theories and new activity in relation to practice in dementia care and end of life care.
2.6 To support appropriate practice based development evaluation, audit and research and to disseminate findings.
2.7 To influence and contribute to the development of policies, procedures and protocols relevant to Admiral Nursing.
2.8 To work positively with colleagues across the hospice and wider to maintain clinically effective relationships.
2.9 To ensure they and their team comply with local and national clinical governance requirements.
2.10 To support and participate in local clinical supervision/mentoring; providing clinical supervision to others, where appropriate.
2.11 To work with Farleigh Hospice to manage demands placed on the service.
3. Education
3.1. To provide and/or lead/or support formal training events such as courses, conferences, seminars and workshops at all levels, maintaining and contributing to higher level educational programmes in dementia care, disseminating Admiral Nursing work and promoting best practice for people with dementia at end of life.
3.2 To support quality improvements and integrate into practice current knowledge of dementia and caring, informed by research and other forms of evidence.
3.3 To act as a lead clinical role model to others and to support student nurse placements, including mentoring as appropriate.
3.4 To develop their own competence to practice through use of the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework, ‘Pebblepad’ e-portfolio development, personal development planning and continuing professional development to an advanced level of practice.
3.5 To maintain up to date knowledge base of resources, service provision, policy context, new approaches, interventions and treatments in dementia care and to influence local policy & procedure development.
3.6 To promote and provide a learning environment with the team
3.7 To support audit and evaluation of service quality using Admiral Nurse Standards and other relevant standards supporting best practice.
3.8 To develop a learning environment, working closely with the Admiral Nurse Directorate at Dementia UK, liaising with researchers, practice developers and educational providers.
4. Managerial and Administrative
4.1.1 To make effective use of professional and managerial supervision to the Admiral Nurse team within Dementia UK and local policy
4.1.2 To ensure there are links with relevant meetings and forums within host organisation and Dementia UK, including monthly practice development days, be-spoke training and Admiral Nurse Forums.
4.1.3 To ensure that effective communication systems operate between other relevant disciplines and teams.
4.1.4 To contribute to the development of local policies, procedures and protocols relevant to Admiral Nursing and the health and well being of the client group through the support of Dementia UK Business development team and within the local steering group.
This job description is not exhaustive but serves as a guide to the post.
Because of the nature of the work at Farleigh Hospice you will need to be prepared to address searching questions regarding death and dying on a personal level.
The post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.
Notes:
i) You will be expected to produce work to a high standard and to promote quality at all times.
ii) You will be expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of Farleigh Hospice, in particular those relating to Health & Safety and Security.
iii) The post holder may have access to confidential data. Disclosure of confidential information to any unauthorised person may lead to disciplinary action which could ultimately lead to dismissal.
iv) You will be expected to participate in a staff appraisal scheme for yourself and staff you manage.
v) If you are a member of a professional/regulatory body you will be required to abide by the relevant professional Code of Conduct
vi) Each member of staff has a responsibility to know about basic Infection control measures and implement them in the workplace
vii) Employees will demonstrate the values of openness and transparency (candour)
viii) Because of the nature of the work at Farleigh Hospice you will need to be prepared to address searching questions regarding death & dying on a personal level.
ix) Smoking is not permitted while on duty or in uniform
x) Employees must be prepared to work flexibly to meet the changing needs of the organisation.
xi) The above job description does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post-holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as the requirements of the post change.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Farleigh Hospice operates an Equal Opportunities Policy and expects staff to have a commitment to equal opportunity policies in relation to employment and service delivery.
CHANGES TO THIS JOB DESCRIPTION
You have the responsibility to discuss any job changes with your line manager at the time the change occurs and agree any permanent substantial change. You may be required to carry out other duties as reasonably required of you commensurate with your grade/level in the organisation.
Date of Job Description:
Post-holder in receipt and agreement of job description:
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Person specification Admiral Nurse Farleigh Hospice
Essential
/ DesirableQualifications / Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD)
Degree/ Masters level qualification in relevant subject or equivalent experience
Leadership qualification/ experience and/or formal management development e.g. DMS, CMS etc
Evidence of further study in dementia care and end of life care/ palliative care / .
Relevant teaching experience/qualification
Mentorship Qualification
Work Experience & Attainments / Significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia and their carers/supporter/representatives in different settings
Experience of working in a specialist palliative care environment
Experience of recent involvement in practice/ service development.
Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings
Demonstrated experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
Experience of professional supervision of staff
Experience of audit/ evaluating clinical practice / Experience of planned development of staff
Experience of working with patients/ clients to develop practice
Skills and Knowledge / In depth knowledge about dementia and how this can affect individuals day-to-day life, relationships, family and support networks
Advanced communication and /or counselling skills in both individual and group settings.
Understanding and experience of assessment of people with dementia / family carers
Understanding and demonstrated ability to deliver a range of therapeutic interventions for supporting people with dementia and their family carers
Understanding of and promotion of evidence based best practice including contribution to multi- disciplinary team
Facilitation skills
IT literate
Knowledge of relevant national policy and practice initiatives.
Ability to develop services and manage change
Evidence of recent continuing professional development / Knowledge of research methods and methodologies.
Understanding of competency frameworks
Experience of supporting systematic practice development/ quality improvement
Aptitudes & Attributes / Excellent communication skills.
Ability to operate effectively with a constantly developing relationship with key stakeholders and associated agencies.
Able to work on own initiative.
Ability to treat people affected by dementia with respect and dignity, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person.
Ability to learn through practice
Other requirements / A full valid driving license and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 and a reasonable adjustment can be made).
Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service.
Shortlisting (*) and interview assessment (+) criteria
Essential: / Desirable:Registered nursing qualification * / Additional nursing qualification *
Significant post registration experience in care of people with dementia
Post registration qualification in dementia /older people’s care / Higher Degree i.e. MA, MSc, MPhil *
Evidence of recent and on-going personal and professional development *
Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings *
Experience of professional supervision of staff *
Leadership skills (+) / Leadership qualification and/or management development *
In depth knowledge about dementia and how this can affect individuals day-to-day life, relationships, family and support networks (+)
Understanding and of assessment of people with dementia / family carers (+)
Understanding and demonstrated ability to deliver a range of therapeutic interventions for supporting people with dementia and their family carers (+)
Promotion of best practice and working with a multi-disciplinary team / Experience of leading practice development initiatives /quality improvements *
Experience of audit and evaluation *
Good presentation/ teaching skills
Sound knowledge of the health/social care and nursing agenda
Presence and confidence to act as an ambassador for Admiral Nursing, host organisation and Dementia UK
Excellent verbal and written skills (+)
Enthusiastic and self motivated (+)
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