ALZHEIMER S AUSTRALIA SA INC POSITION DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 ALZHEIMER S AUSTRALIA SA INC POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Palliative Care Nurse Contract / Permanent: Contract until 30 June 2017 Fraction: 0.6 FTE Department: Clinical Services Location: Glenside Reporting To: Head of Clinical Services Staff No: 0 Volunteer: 0 Under review ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Skills and Abilities Budget responsibility: 0 SELECTION CRITERIA Understanding of dementia and the ability to assess the needs of people with dementia and their carers within a palliative care environment. Demonstrated ability to work to the Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care as documented by Palliative Care Australia Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all members of the community and health professionals. Demonstrated ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate care plans for clients. Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously and without direct supervision to meet agreed goals. Problem solving and creative skills. Awareness of community resources appropriate for people with dementia in a palliative care setting Recognition of operational and strategic objectives to ensure sustainability in the project. Experience Demonstrated experience in liaison between agencies. Demonstrated understanding of the dementia and palliative care fields and how organisations relate to each other and the client group. Demonstrated broad life experiences contributing to an ability to understand and cope with the needs of carers and people with dementia and requirements of palliative care. Demonstrated experience in delivery of bereavement, grief and loss counselling Knowledge Knowledge of dementia and its impact on both people with dementia and their carers. Knowledge of end of life care issues for people with dementia and their families/carers. Qualification Relevant tertiary qualification and experience in health Eligible for registration with health professional body Post graduate studies in palliative care will be highly regarded. PURPOSE STATEMENT Palliative care is a supportive approach to care that aspires to ensure that people experience the highest quality of life before death and that care is in accordance with the persons wishes. Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services, The Palliative Care Nurse is responsible for adopting strategies with external and internal partners to raise awareness of the specific end of life care issues that people with dementia and their families/carers face. Any direct clinical work will be through a person centered approach. The Palliative Care Nurse will, where appropriate, provide assistance in supporting and linking clients to other services to assist with their needs and requirements such as the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service and Counselling. This role incorporates awareness raising, capacity building with service providers and understanding the needs and experience e o DMAS clients with end of life care.

2 Leadership/ Teamwork CORE BEHAVIOURS Key Results Area Key Tasks Key Performance Indicators Support Alzheimer s Australia SA Inc Senior Management team decisions and ensures that all commitments made are followed through. Maintains a positive and constructive presence that promotes confidence in those around them. Displays willingness to assist others, shares knowledge openly, cooperates and supports the team. Contributes positively within teams and supports the team s efforts. Is always receptive and open to feedback. Professional Development WHS Continuous Improvement Organisation Vision and Values Volunteer Management & Development Undertake training in person centered approaches Participate in opportunities to share learning in person centered approaches Participates in the establishment & on-going improvement of Alzheimer s Australia SA Inc WHS policy and visibly and constantly supports its implementation in your areas. Ensures that all employees in your areas are fully aware of our safety plans and expectations, and that they are actively encouraged to participate and contribute. Understands and supports continuous improvement in the organisation. Actively participates in quality audits. Exercises initiative in making improvements to work processes. Regularly discusses improvement opportunities with the team. Work within the principles of our Vision and Values: A society committee to reducing the impact of dementia Professionalism Integrity Commitment Teamwork Inclusion Manage and develop the volunteer team to ensure each member understands their role and what is expected of them. Volunteers have a positive work environment and the support they need to conduct their role effectively. Training undertaken and supported in the achievement plan Other opportunities are used to share learning with other service providers Participates in the establishment & on-going improvement of Alzheimer s Australia SA Inc WHS policy and visibly and constantly supports its implementation in your areas. Ensures that all employees in your areas are fully aware of our safety plans and expectations, and that they are actively encouraged to participate and contribute Participates in quality audits when required. Evidence of continuous improvement activities. Always searches for better ways and strives for best practice. Embraces and adapts to change. Visions and Values are able to be demonstrated in work place behaviours and actions Volunteers have a clear understanding of their role and performance expectations. The environment created is supportive and staff/volunteers are able to positively contribute to the successes of the team.

3 Specific to the role: Key Results Area Key Tasks Key Performance Indicators Client Support Offer end of life care and services to clients with dementia and their families and carers in accordance with the project brief and members of the DMAS Team. Utilise a person centered approach which will include strategies for utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach through communication and consultation with the client, their carers and family and team members. Monitor standards of palliative care by developing and utilizing appropriate continuous improvement mechanisms Contribute to the development of the service by liaising with other internal and external stakeholders and service providers to align and coordinate care for clients. Maintain current client records and meet statistical reporting requirements and be responsible for the accuracy and legibility of patient care records. Demonstrate a positive regard for diverse cultures. Demonstrate awareness of the relationship between culture and health beliefs, and the relationship between culture and health behaviour. Alzheimer s SA will have information pertaining to end of life issues for those clients linked to DMAS. Key enabling relationships are developed with specialist services, aged care services and primary health care providers to ensure an increased awareness of the needs of clients/ families with dementia at end of life. Provide system navigation to people entering the service system through the agreed service pathway People with special needs receive culturally and socially appropriate service Alzheimer s AASA education programs have palliative care issues integrated appropriately. Provide information, education, support, counselling and advocacy as required Demonstrate knowledge of culturally appropriate resources and how to access them, including use of interpreting services Networking Promote the function of the Palliative Care Nurse and AASA within a variety of settings and situations as appropriate Attend and participate in appropriate regional network meetings Provide information and education to key service providers on the function of the palliative care nurse Work alongside specialists to promote improved palliative care clinical outcomes for clients and families Attend appropriate regional venues, forums and expos

4 Support and Advice Provide advice and information and determine strategies in conjunction with community and residential aged care professionals and/or carers caring for people with dementia Engage multi-disciplinary health professionals to coordinate palliative care and management of care to create positive outcomes for people with dementia and their carers. Advice and support is delivered within operational guidelines and policy. Strategies including advanced care planning are developed and coordinated in collaboration with other health professionals Data Collection Support, inform and report to the Head of Department all information and development to enable progression of service development outlined in Strategy Collect and analyse data for statistical and planning purposes and for the purposes of reporting Participate in evaluation of Palliative Care Nurse activities as appropriate or directed. Data is collected for use in annual program planning and funding submissions Monthly and ad hoc reporting is prepared and delivered by the agreed timelines Contribute to the body of knowledge about the needs of people with dementia and their carers

5 Special Conditions Conduct all duties in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures of Alzheimer s Australia SA. Attend and participate in Alzheimer s Australia SA staff meetings. Active participation in Alzheimer s Australia SA Performance Management System. Assist the organisation in times of emergencies (by negotiation). Undertake after hours work as required (by negotiation). Undertake relevant and appropriate multi-functional duties as negotiated. Undertake interstate/intrastate travel where appropriate Undertake all tasks within budget parameters and constraints of a not-for-profit organisation Current driver s license is required. Current Police Clearance certificate is required for ongoing employment. Where applicable, Department of Community Social Inclusion (DCSI) police checks will be conducted. CERTIFICATION We have carefully reviewed this Position Description and are satisfied it is a full and accurate description of the requirements of the role: HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: GENERAL MANAGER: I have read this document and agree to undertake the duties and responsibilities listed within. I also acknowledge this position description is only an indication of tasks and understand that I may be asked to undertake additional duties from time to time that are not detailed in this document, that are however within my skills and aligned to my role. INCUMBANT: