Registered General Nurse - Ashford

Pilgrims Hospices is looking for a passionate and caring Registered General Nurse to provide excellent patient care in a palliative setting. If you are looking to develop your skills into a specialist role, working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team and having the time to care, this could be the role for you. Pilgrims Hospices does not have the ability to support sponsorship at this time, therefore please ensure you have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for providing a high standard of palliative nursing care which reflects evidence based practice, encompasses patient choice and makes best use of valuable resources. This includes assessing, planning and implementing individualised and effective patient care and evaluating the outcome. The post holder will be expected to communicate with members of the internal and external multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best care for patients whilst on the ward and on discharge. In addition, the post holder will facilitate training, education and induction programmes for other qualified and unqualified staff.

As our wards operate on a shift working basis, you will need a flexible approach to working hours, including the ability to work nights and on weekends.

About us

As an award-winning employer, Pilgrims provides end of life care services to patients and their families across east Kent. Our commitment is to provide open, compassionate care and expertise for patients and their families both in the community and in-patient units.

Our Vision

Of a community where people with a terminal illness, and their family and friends, are supported and empowered to live well in mind and body until the very last moment of their life. As an Employer of Choice, our commitment to supporting our employees and volunteers is a key priority.

Our hospices offer:

• Friendly and professional working environments
• Opportunities for professional development through a range of extensive learning
• Alignment with NHS pay rates and continuity in membership of the NHS pension scheme
• A sense of achievement in supporting a worthwhile cause
• A sense of wellbeing
• A good work-life balance
• Locations across well-populated areas of east Kent all providing very good road and rail links
• NHS and financial discounts i.e. Blue Light Card

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be a registered nurse accountable for the direct delivery of patient care within an in-patient unit caring for patients with palliative needs. Work will be undertaken in line with Pilgrims Hospice, local and national policy and guidance and the NMC professional codes of conduct. The post holder will work within the multidisciplinary team and will influence the decisions of patient care from a nursing perspective. On a day-to-day basis the post holder will work under indirect supervision making decisions based on best practice and evidence based research.

Working within a team structure the registered nurse will ensure all incidents, complaints, difficulties and complex situations are documented and any remedial actions taken by the multi-disciplinary. In addition, the post holder will ensure the Ward Sister or Ward Manager are notified and aware of such occurrences.

Maintain a high level of nursing care through direct delivery of personal, emotional and psychological care for patients. Through effective assessment of each patient's needs and preferences the post holder will plan evidence based nursing care, implement and continuously evaluate the care given and ensure this meets the needs of individualised patient care.

Undertake patient care as directed in the patients care plan in order to meet each patient's care needs whilst maintaining independence as much as possible and maintaining privacy and dignity at all times. This will include for example hygiene and elimination needs, assisting eating and drinking and ensuring nutrition is maintained.

Successfully manage clinical emergencies specifically related to palliative care through swift recognition, instigating and carrying out any immediate actions and reporting and sharing information quickly. Whilst responsible to the ward sister/team leader, the post holder will work competently and confidently without direct supervision to complete delegated workload, including maintaining skill mix and staff planning.

To maintain effective operation, the post holder will take responsibility for the ward, delegate the workload and supervise trained and untrained staff as needed. Maintain continuity of patient care through accurate verbal reports and electronic and written documentation including the use of electronic patient management systems ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.

Ensure all patient information is electronically recorded in a safe, accurate and contemporaneous manner through familiarity with and daily use of EMIS and Ashtons electronic patient management system and adherence to Hospice IT protocols. Expedite successful discharge where appropriate with good quality planning for patients needs.

Provide sensitive and empathetic emotional and psychological support for patients and carers during the delivery of bad news, of terminal care and during and after the event of death. Ensure high standard of care for patient and carers after death by following appropriate hospice protocols.

Maintain safe and effective drug administration by administering all medications, and setting up and maintaining subcutaneous syringe drivers according to the Hospice and NMC codes and guidelines. Maintain safe nursing practice by attaining and maintaining competency in clinical interventions as set out within the knowledge and skills framework.

Ensure high standard of care through awareness and implementation of Hospice policies, procedures and guidelines especially in relation to infection control, manual handling, health and safety and fire.

Person Specification

Right to work in the UK

All applicants must have right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship for any applicants. All applicants will need to prove their right to work.

Skills/Knowledge

• Organisational and managerial skills
• Teaching skills
• Supervision and staff support skills
• Knowledge of IT and ability to use IT appropriately in the workplace.
• Ability to work in a multi-professional environment
• Flexible approach to working patterns and the changing needs of healthcare
• Neat, tidy and professional appearance
• Strong motivation to work at Pilgrims Hospice
• Car Driver / Access to a vehicle

Experience

• Sound experience as registered nurse in specialist palliative care setting or to transfer skills from an associated environment
• Experience with mentoring student/junior nurses.
• Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor or equivalent.

Qualifications

• NMC registration
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Post registration Nursing Course (Palliative Care Dip/Degree, ENB 931, 237, or equivalent)
• Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor training

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.