Overview
To provide high quality palliative care in the hospice environment by working under the guidance of the Lead Nurse and Clinical Support Lead, and in partnership with patients receiving respite care and their families and friends, to provide outstanding person-centred care in line with our ethos.
What will this role involve day-to-day?
- Working with colleagues to deliver excellent person-centred care to patients and families and friends.
- Supporting delivery of ‘best practice’ in line with policies and procedures.
- Ensuring the needs of patients, families and friends are at the core of all that we do.
- Championing our volunteer-led service model across Hywel Dda UHB
- Carrying out patient assessments and reassessments as required
- Completing relevant personalised care plans in line with needs and in agreement with patient and carer.
- Embracing different assessment methods and engaging with patients according to needs and preference, including phone, email, online meetings, with lone working, safeguarding etc, at Skanda Vale Hospice, or other appropriate locations.
- Cooperating fully with the Lead Nurse, Clinical Support lead and Assessment Team.
- Upholding the Skanda Vale Hospice ethos of person-centred care, for patient and carers, from referral to end of service engagement.
Specific tasks & responsibilities
- Supporting patients and loved ones to take part in all aspects of care planning and delivery.
- Actively contributing to person-centred care model within services provided by Skanda Vale Hospice.
- Upholding values of privacy, dignity and respect for all.
- Maintaining accurate, clear and contemporaneous records and documentation
- Completing all electronic documentation within target times
- Following SVH Safeguarding Policy and raising concerns regarding service provision if required
- Adhering to Clinical Governance Framework, SVH data protection, privacy and confidentiality policies.
- Actively engaging in Assessment Team and Nursing Team Meetings and development of Referral and Assessment process as appropriate.
- Following the SVH code of conduct, policies, procedures and principles at all times.
- Representing the hospice and its ethos in a professional manner.
- Ensure that you take action as appropriate, report in line with the SVH Incident Reporting Policy, escalate any concerns regarding patient safety and clinical risk to the line manager
- Reporting any complaints or concerns in line with SVH procedure.
- Supporting Lead Nurse and Head of Care in the management and investigation of concerns or complaints as appropriate.
- Managing own emotional well-being in line with SVH Emotional Support Policy
- Actively engaging in SVH monthly Story-sharing meetings to consider patient case studies and celebrate good practice
- Ensuring maintenance of active NMC registration.
- Taking responsibility for completion of SVH induction, mandatory training and ongoing personal and professional development
- Attending and actively engaging in SVH team development days
- Undertaking comprehensive, holistic assessments and recommending outcomes in line with SVH assessment policy.
- Complying with all policies, directives and legislation to ensure a safe, efficient and effective service.
- Promoting and demonstrating excellence in clinical practice
- Supporting evaluation, audit, monitoring and reporting mechanisms to achieve continuous improvement
- Participating fully and actively in supervision and appraisal meetings
- Communicating appropriately with patients, families and colleagues
- Actively maintaining a safe environment at all times
- Acting professionally and in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct at all times.
- Treating all colleagues with respect, dignity, courtesy, fairness and consideration.
- Contribute to the development of services, new ways of working and the implementation of change.
- Promote and practice the highest standards of prevention and control of infection at all times as per SVH policy
Personal qualities & skills
We’re looking for the following experience, qualifications, skills and abilities:
Experience (essential)
- Current NMC Registration.
- Working directly with patients, supporting them and listening to their needs.
- Carrying out holistic assessments with patients and/or carers.
- Six months post registration
Experience (desirable)
- Writing person-centred care plans.
- Working with people with a life-limiting illness.
Skills (essential)
- Openness to developing computer skills
- Well-organised with excellent time management skills
- Self-motivated and conscientious
- Ability to manage difficult conversations without imparting advice
- Willingness to undertake training as required, in line with the role
Skills (desirable)
- Good understanding of computers and IT
- Practical knowledge of Safeguarding procedures.
- Experience in managing conversations about death, dying and poor prognosis.
- The ability to speak Welsh
- Current driving license
Personal qualities
- Excellent people skills – including written and oral communication.
- Compassionate and empathic attitude.
- Willingness to seek support when needed
- Ability to remain calm, diplomatic and professional in challenging situations
- Approachable, person-centred manner
Location: Skanda Vale Hospice, Saron, Carms. SA44 5DY, or patients’ home addresses, predominantly in Hywel Dda (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion) locality.
Time offering: 10 Hours/ 1 shift minimum per month plus training and support time of up to 10 hours per month
This role reports to: Lead nurse / Clinical Support Lead
Expenses: We cover volunteer expenses and personal articles required for the role, offer great food and refreshments on-site, and host fun team days.
Our volunteers take part in induction and training, much of which happens in the first few weeks with us. Training varies role by role and can be reduced if someone has current relevant certificates. We also have meetings to update everyone and opportunities for additional support and learning.
This Role Description is not exhaustive. It is an outline of the key expectations and will be reviewed periodically with amendments made following consultation with the role holder(s).
Apply now
Before you start, make sure you have the names, numbers and email addresses of two referees (non-family members) who you’ve known for two or more years.