Lead Nurse for Specialist Palliative Care

at  George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

This Lead Nurse for Specialist palliative Care role is required to: In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine, promote and facilitate the delivery, and implementation of palliative and end of life care throughout the Trust, having responsibility for the management of the Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care nursing team. In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine to ensure that care is provided in line with the latest national and local guidance on clinical standards. Whilst working as a clinical nursing expert in palliative care, providing clinical support and guidance on the use of evidence-based approaches such as Transforming End of Life Care in Acute Hospitals. The Lead Nurse will be responsible for closely working with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine to support the Trusts End of Life Care Steering Group.
Clinical Responsibilities To work clinically as a nursing expert in palliative care, including being part of the palliative care weekend rota. To provide expert clinical advice and supervision to other nursing members of the palliative care team. To provide expert clinical advice to support ward staff when patients have complex palliative care needs. Provide expert advice and support to multi-professional teams (including complex symptom management advice to medical teams) to improve the way in which palliative care is provided.
Work in partnership with service users and act as patients advocate and counsel when informed discussion may lead to choices being made concerning treatment options, quality of life issues or preferred place of death. If required, to extend the scope of practice by undertaking additional training and complying with local policies on maintaining competence, e.g. non-medical prescribing, physical assessment, psychological support. In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine, implement and develop an outcomes approach to specialist palliative care practice, e.g.
Outcome Assessment and Complexity Collaborative (OACC). Strategic and Business Planning In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine, ensure that policy decisions are implemented consistently by actively engaging consultant clinicians, Head Nurses, Matrons and ward teams. To be an active member of the Trusts End of Life Care Steering Group, including supporting the development of Palliative and End of Life Care work plans. Support nursing staff in promoting excellence in palliative and end of life care and provide a clear focus for supporting and developing clinical leadership.
Identify areas for service development and be responsible for the development and implementation of relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines to support change in practice. Ongoing commitment to the improvement of clinical standards and the development of patient centred strategies in accordance with national guidelines. Communication Provide timely communication with patients and professionals about management plans, including a collaborative approach between the sectors involved in patients with palliative care needs. Actively seek avenues of communication between colleagues in all disciplines and roles to improve patient safety and experience.
Mentor colleagues in advanced communication skills and holding difficult conversations. Provide support and development of advance care planning for patients to communicate their wishes for care. Management To be an effective Team Leader and line manager to Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists, providing robust clinical leadership to support and inspire colleagues. Take a lead role in the recruitment, selection, and retention of staff within the Specialist Palliative Care Team.
Ensure the annual appraisal of all line report staff including setting of objectives and personal development plans for each individual team member. Ensure all nursing staff of the Specialist Palliative Care Team receive an annual job plan review. Effectively manage staff sickness and absence working to achieve sickness targets and acting where required. Take responsibility for investigating complaints into quality of care issues in line with Trust policy.
Meeting with patients, relatives and carers as required, resolving nursing care issues. To participate in relevant working groups and committees within the Trust and Network to contribute to and advise on aspects of palliative care development. Lead team meetings and MDTs and participate in the formulation of individualised patient palliative care plans and advise and support staff in this decision making process. Service Development and Improvement To facilitate the development of mechanisms for monitoring throughput and uptake of the service as appropriate.
In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine, inform the Directorate Management Team and Executive Lead for End of Life Care regarding practice issues, delivery of service and clinical governance in palliative care and End of Life Care. To take an active role in the peer review process. Education, Training and Development Promote a culture and environment which facilitates lifelong learning within the multi professional team. To act as a professional supervisor for new team members and training posts within the team and utilise clinical supervision and reflective practice skills to enhance development of self and colleagues in the team to optimise care.
In collaboration with the Learning and Development Team, lead and manage the initiation, development, implementation, and evaluation of palliative care educational programmes in response to identified nursing practice issues. In collaboration with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine support education initiatives and programmes for doctors and Allied Health Professionals. In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders develop and manage written and other health information for patients with palliative care needs with regard to disease, treatment, management and ongoing care across the patient disease pathway to ensure the best level of understanding

Please refer the Job description for details