Staff Nurse

We are looking for a registered nurse with a passion for palliative care to work as part of our multidisciplinary team based in Winsford. An opportunity has arisen on our ten‑beded In Care Unit at St Lucas (Cheshire) Hospice. If you want the time to give compassionate patient‑centred care as part of a small multidisciplinary team please apply. We have a 37.5hrs per week role available on days (open to discussing alternative working patterns). Occasional requirements for day staff to cover night duty.

Main duties of the job

• To work within the policies and procedures of the Hospice in order to maintain a safe working environment.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care.
• To practise research‑based techniques in care delivery.
• To participate in the introduction and evaluation of new procedures for patient care.
• To always act within the Code of Professional Practice and treat patients safely, with dignity, holistically and respecting confidentiality.
• To participate in multi‑disciplinary and clinical meetings.
• Liaison with other professional groups involved in inpatient care.
• Contribute towards prevention and management of infections.
• The post holder will be responsible for the Health and Safety of patients, staff and visitors whilst on duty.
• The post holder will take responsibility for the management of the caseload in the absence of the sister or ward manager and will co‑ordinate the service and supervise staff where appropriate.

Job responsibilities

• Take charge of the unit in the absence of a more senior nurse.
• Delegation of appropriate tasks to other team members.
• Maintenance of accurate patient care records.
• Report deficiencies or dysfunction of equipment.
• Respond to concerns or complaints from service users in accordance with the complaints procedure.
• Participate in audit activity and review of standards within the Hospice.

Education / Personal Development

• Actively participate in clinical supervision.
• Participate in Individual Personal Review (IPR) identifying development needs to meet the objectives of the Hospice service and business plan.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal development through study, official courses and participation in in‑house meetings and courses.
• Acquire skills, under the scope of professional practice guidelines, which will enhance patient care.
• Act as a role model to junior staff / visiting students and share knowledge and skills relevant to palliative care.
• The post holder will be expected to maintain high professional standards and keep abreast of professional issues and best practice in their area of specialism.
• The Hospice will support relevant education and development opportunities whenever possible and as agreed as part of personal development discussions.

Health & Safety & Security

• Under health and safety legislation, each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for the health and safety of others and to co‑operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk.
• The Hospice has a Health & Safety Policy which applies to all staff.
• Similarly, it is each person’s responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their manager.

Confidentiality

• In the course of your duties, you will have access to confidential material about members of staff, volunteers, other hospice business and patients.
• The Hospice has Data Protection Policy which applies to all staff.
• St Lucas (Cheshire) Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share in this commitment.
• Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the Hospice’s Safeguarding Policies.
• Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff.

This job description may vary from time to time according to the needs of St Lucas (Cheshire) Hospice. This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service.

Person Specification

Experience

• Minimum 1 year post registration experience of working in a palliative care setting.
• Experience of working effectively in a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Experience of coordinating workload for self and others.
• Involvement in training and development of others.
• Experience of working in a hospice in‑care setting.
• Experience of managing the workload in the absence of senior staff.

Personal Attributes

• Passion for ethos of the hospice and demonstrable interest and enthusiasm for the vision of the organisation.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own and others time and workload effectively.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Shows compassion & treats people with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Ability to instil confidence in others.
• A commitment to personal development & lifelong learning.
• Emotional intelligence and resilience.

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration.
• 1st level registered Adult nurse.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Advanced communication skills training.
• Diploma in palliative care.
• Mentorship / teaching qualification.

Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to participate in audit & training.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues from clinical and non‑clinical teams, with patients and those close to them.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• IT literate, with keyboard and computer skills and able to use clinical care systems.
• Ability to assess, implement and evaluate individualised care for patients.
• Ability to demonstrate appropriate evidence based clinical skills.
• Willingness to develop clinical skills to support delivery of strategic and operational plans.

Other Requirements

• Ability to transport self around the borough.
• 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.