JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Responsible to
Medical Director and Director of Patient and Clinical Services
Professionally Accountable to
Primary Location Nightingale House Hospice

JOB SUMMARY

As an advanced nurse practitioner you will work within the medical team at Nightingale House
Hospice to provide a high standard of care to patients admitted to the inpatient unit for symptom
management, end of life care or respite, as well as patients attending outpatients or the wellbeing
programme. This post offers an opportunity to develop palliative care experience and skills, within a
culture of learning and developing professionally. You will also have the opportunity to participate in
audit, teaching of GP registrars, medical students, nursing staff and disseminating knowledge to the
wider team.
The medical team consists of the medical director/GP, 2 speciality doctors, and another GP. We work
with palliative care consultants from SCUK who remotely review the patients twice a week, at a board
round. You will work alongside the nursing team, pharmacist, patient flow, rehab, family support
team, chaplain and complementary therapist to deliver care to patients with life limiting conditions.
You will deliver individualised, holistic care to patients and their loved ones, with empathy,
compassion and kindness, respecting patient’s dignity and with an aim to empower them to live well
with a palliative diagnosis.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE HOSPICE

All employees of the Hospice have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of
others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with
management to enable the Hospice to meet its own legal duties including attendance at mandatory
training updates and also to report any hazardous situations or defective equipment.

FLEXIBILITY STATEMENT

The content of this Job Description represents an outline of the post only and is therefore not a final
list of duties and responsibilities. The Job Description is therefore intended to be flexible and is
subject to review and amendment in the light of changing circumstances, following consultation with
the post holder.

skills and interests.

• Lead the development of ideas and specialist practice within the scope of the role. Innovate

SCOPE OF THE ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE AT NIGHTINGALE HOUSE

Working as an independent practitioner and non-medical prescriber the ANP is accountable and
responsible for their own actions or omissions in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Code
and current guidance on advanced nursing practice. You will always work within the scope of
professional practice and guidance on advanced practice, adhering to all relevant professional, legal
and regulatory guidelines.
You will assume responsibility for own professional development and updates and maintain your own
clinical skills as appropriate with support and guidance from the medical director and director of
clinical and patient services as required for the role. You will work within the boundaries of the role
as it develops within Nightingale House and as agreed by the Medical Director and Director of Clinical
and Patient Services in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer.
There are opportunities for career development and progression to a nurse consultant depending on
interest and experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work autonomously to admit patients to the inpatient unit and care for them during their

admission for end of life care, symptom management or respite.

• Along with the rest of the medical team, nursing team and consultants, provide care for

inpatients, outpatients and patients attending wellbeing or rehab appointments if needed,

including initial assessment, daily reviews, planning and management.

• To identify and address the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and

the emotional, spiritual and psychological needs of their families and friends.

• As an independent prescriber, prescribes medicines for patients in accordance with local

policies, national standards and formularies relating to independent prescribing.

• Work closely with and support the nursing team and wider MDT, maintaining positive working

relationships and close team work.

• Communicate compassionately with patients and their families regarding their condition,

treatment, prognosis and advanced care planning.

• Participate in on-call rota (1:4 or 1:8 weekends), being on-site Saturday morning and available

to attend from 9-5 Saturday and Sunday (1 day off in lieu provided following the on-call

weekend).

• Participate in clinical meetings as part of the MDT.
• Maintain clinical records and complete administrative tasks arising from medical work –

discharge summaries, GP letters following outpatient appointments, referral letters etc.

• Identifies and reports issues and incidents that may affect the quality of palliative care services.

Works with the team to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service.

• Liaise closely with external partners – such as GPs, SPCT, district nurses, specialist clinical nurses

and secondary care.

• Develop and maintain high professional standards within the service and promote

multidisciplinary team working

• To promote and participate in teaching and educational activity, teaching nurses, medical

students, GP registrars, colleagues, patients and families.

• To participate in clinical governance activities e.g. quality improvement activities and ensure

implementation of best practice guidelines.

• Promote the ethos of audit in the organisation and identify, support and participate in clinical

audits and evaluation of work to improve care and service delivery.

• Ensure that effective governance arrangements are implemented and maintained.
• To maintain personal development through personal development reviews, monthly 1:1

meetings, clinical supervision, training and appropriate courses, which the hospice will support.

• Provide supervision and mentoring to non-medical prescribers and trainee ANPs
• There will be opportunities to develop a special interest or lead on programmes depending on

skills and interests.

• Lead the development of ideas and specialist practice within the scope of the role. Innovates

through exploring ideas with others and takes action, thus contributing to different ways of

working.

• Develop services in conjunction with the service leads, medical and clinical directors and wider

team that will improve services for users and contribute to the advancement of palliative care

at local, regional and national levels.

• Participates in maintaining the profile of Nightingale House Hospice through the presentation

of quality improvement initiatives at local, regional and national conferences as appropriate.

• Work with the senior nursing team to complete personal development reviews of the nursing

team and provide support and mentoring.