This post is to work as an Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist, providing specialist palliative care, knowledge and expertise to patients. Working autonomously, the post holder will manage a specialist caseload, support decision-making, contribute to advance and anticipatory care planning, and work collaboratively with patients, families, carers and multi-professional colleagues to promote personalised, holistic and coordinated care. The post holder will practise with a high degree of autonomy as a senior specialist practitioner, accepting professional accountability for comprehensive assessment, clinical reasoning, risk management and care planning within their scope of competence. They will provide specialist advice in sometimes rapidly changing situations and recognise when medical, managerial or wider multidisciplinary escalation is required. The post-holder will uphold the Hospice values of being caring, compassionate and committed. As part of one of the few University Hospices in
the country, the post holder will contribute to teaching, supervision, mentoring and research within the organisation. As the Care Directorate provides 24/7 services across both the Inpatient Unit and community services, a flexible approach is essential. Duties include: Clinical Care Manage a caseload of patients with moderate needs and assessments, ensuring appropriate intervention and effective use of resources. Support carers and provide signposting information as appropriate to enable informed choices to be made concerning treatments and future care. Provide bereavement support within the boundaries of own competency and role referring to other agencies as appropriate. When qualified as an NMP, prescribe a range of medicines in line with own prescribing formulary ensuring that this is cost effective and in line with St Catherines NMP policy. Complete relevant orders and procedures as applicable e.g. Verification of Death procedure, Unified Do Not Actively Resuscitate orders.
Contribute to the 24-hour hospice advice line, including participation in the overnight advice line for which additional remuneration is paid, independently assessing the urgency and complexity of enquiries, providing specialist advice within scope of competence, documenting decisions and escalating clinical risk appropriately. Maintain accurate, contemporaneous care records, referrals, and clinical notes. Leadership Provide clinical leadership by delivering holistic specialist palliative care, assessing patient needs, and developing advance/anticipatory care plans Contribute to or lead multi-professional discussions, including MDTs, discharge planning, case conferences, and district nursing meetings. Support hospice audit, education and research activities. Support continuous improvement project work and team projects as agreed. Support GSF meetings with local GP's supporting a connected approach to patient care within the community Governance and Reporting Responsibilities:
Report any incidents / accidents as required via our vista system. Comply with legislation, Hospice policies, procedures and protocols. Liaise with external clinical organisations, including the CQC and CHC, to support patients with additional needs, such as enhanced care requirements. Provide specialist input into incident reviews, complaints, safeguarding concerns, medicines-related issues and clinical risk management within the service. Identify themes, share learning, recommend proportionate improvements and monitor agreed actions within the remit of the role, escalating significant concerns promptly through the appropriate governance arrangements. Carry out other duties within your ability and within reason as required by the Chief Executive, Director of Nursing, Governance and AHPS, Community Services Manager. Volunteers: The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers. If a volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will
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Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist employer: The Hospice
As an employer, the Hospice offers a supportive and compassionate work environment where the Head of Estates & Facilities can make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, visitors, and staff. With a strong focus on employee growth, continuous improvement, and sustainability, the organisation fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability, ensuring that all team members are empowered to excel in their roles. Located in a community-centric setting, the Hospice provides unique opportunities for professional development while prioritising health and safety compliance across its facilities.
