Registered Nurse

JOB DESCRIPTION

• JOB DETAILS: Staff Nurse
• REPORTS TO: Ward Sister
• RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Clinical Services
• JOB PURPOSE: To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in
• providing a high standard of specialist palliative care to patients and their
• families.
• Under the supervision of the Senior Staff Nurse and Ward Sister,
• the Post Holder is responsible for the assessment, development, implementation
• and evaluation of programmes of patient care.
• To maintain agreed standards of care and to take an active part
• in the planning and implementation of clinical audits in order to improve
• nursing practice.

DIMENSIONS: To work primarily within the In-patient specialist

palliative care unit.

To give qualified nursing support to other aspects of the

specialist palliative care service when necessary.

The Post Holder has no direct budget responsibilities, but must

be aware of cost implications and make effective use of resources.

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES

WARD SISTER

SENIOR STAFF NURSE

POST HOLDER

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL: Registered General Nurse on Part One or Two of the

Register

DESIRABLE: Palliative Care Modules in Specialist Palliative Care

To be working towards a Diploma in Nursing

KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

• 1 To be a safe practitioner and work within the M & NC Code
• of Professional Conduct
• whilst ensuring that those within the Post Holders sphere of
• responsibility do the
• same.

2 To liaise with appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary

team in order to ensure co-ordination and continuity of care. To adhere to the

guidelines and protocols.

3 To work with the team to meet agreed standards and objectives

in order to deliver physical, emotional, social and spiritual support to the

patients and carers.

4 To ensure care is delivered in a style appropriate to the

patients individual needs.

EDUCATIONAL

• 1 To participate in further training and to maintain a
• commitment to professional development.
• 2 To contribute to the team development.
• 3 To assist with in-service training as required for both staff
• and volunteers.

MANAGEMENT/LEADERSHIP

• 1 To act as a role model for junior staff and provide
• encouragement for motivation in order to achieve clinical goals for service.
• 2 To complement the leadership role of the Senior Staff Nurse
• and Unit Sister and to maintain high standards and ethos of care in her
• absence.

3 To take responsibility for various aspects of ward management

as designated by the Senior Staff Nurse in order to maintain an efficient

service and develop own management skills.

4 To support the volunteers working within the Hospice.

5 To actively participate in ward meetings and ensure that

• accurate information is fed back to the appropriate members of the
• multi-disciplinary team.
• 6 To keep concise records in terms of patient documentation,
• staff records and his/her own portfolio.

PROFESSIONAL

• 1 To be aware of his/her accountability and limitations and when
• necessary to extend appropriately his/her sphere of responsibility as he/she
• sees fit in order to ensure safe practice.
• 2 To participate in an annual staff appraisal or as appropriate.
• 3 To be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of more
• junior staff members in order to provide appropriate support.

4 To demonstrate his/her clinical ability by constantly

reflecting on his/her practice and using research as an integral part of such

practice.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

• 1 To actively participate in clinical audit as a means of
• monitoring and improving standards of care.
• 2 To act as a change initiator/agent when a need to change
• practice in order to improve quality has been identified.

3 To support the clinical team in setting, monitoring and

developing standards of care, policies and procedures.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Post Holder will have the most frequent contact with

• 1 Patients, their relatives/carers.
• 2 All staff and volunteers.
• 3 The Community Team, other professionals and external agencies.
• 4 Students on Clinical Placements.

THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR ROLE

To be actively aware and support Clinical Governance by

• 1 Supporting senior staff in promoting high quality patient care
• and standards of professional practice already in place including clinical
• audit.
• 2 Ensuring good liaison within the multidisciplinary team.
• 3 Providing motivation and support for team members.