JOB DESCRIPTION PALLIATIVE CARE REGISTERED NURSE

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION PALLIATIVE CARE REGISTERED NURSE Reporting to: Employment Status: In-patient Unit Nurse Manager Full-time, Part-time or On-call Date Prepared: 11 April 2014 POSITION PURPOSE To work within the nursing team and in liaison with the community and multidisciplinary team to ensure that the continuum of care for the person and family can be delivered across multiple sites using collaborative planning and implementation with a range of health care providers. The palliative care nurse plans, co-ordinates and implements palliative, life limiting and intermittent nursing care for the patient, family and whänau and carer, as per the standards and protocols of Mary Potter Hospice. Nursing care is delivered according to the Hospice s philosophy, Code of Practice, Code of Rights and Responsibilities and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights. RESPONSIBILITIES To provide specialist nursing care and knowledge for patients with a life limiting illness in order to help maintain the highest possible quality of life. Hold a current practicing certificate Practice with an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and are open to wider cultural diversity Take responsibility for the supervision of patient care given by enrolled nurses and nurse aides Practice within relevant legislation, for example, Nurses Act, Misuse of Drugs Act and the Medicines Act. To work within the nursing team and in liaison with the multidisciplinary team. Provide and receive support on a day-to-day basis from colleagues within the work setting. Demonstrate an ability to work in a team and demonstrate team-building skills. Demonstrate respect and support for the skills and abilities of other disciplines. To enter into partnership with the patient, family and whänau and carer to provide palliative nursing care that meets expressed and assessed needs. To plan care based on these needs, implement interventions and treatments and to monitor and evaluate outcomes.

2 Liaise with the patient, family and whänau and carer to assess, plan and co-ordinate and provide care to meet the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs. Clarify the patient s goals of care and expected outcomes in relation to receiving care from the Mary Potter Hospice palliative care service. Apply knowledge, skill, assessment and problem-solving abilities in the team effort to improve patient comfort. Use effective communication skills to diffuse tense situations positively. Assess patient, family and whänau and carer behaviour in an objective and non-judgemental manner. Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of all care provided and document on the multidisciplinary plan of care, evaluation and progress notes according to protocol. To support, educate and prepare the patient, family and whänau and carer for discharge and/or death. Co-ordinate a planned discharge from the inpatient unit Respond effectively to the patient and family s needs for information and facilitate the involvement of other team members as needed. Include the family and whänau and carer in all aspects of care as appropriate for them and be always mindful of the need to reduce the potential for future regret and to preserve physical and emotional support. Recognise and respond appropriately to cultural safety issues. Regularly review and update professional knowledge in relation to palliative care skills. Attend relevant courses Keep up to date with reading minutes of committee meetings, reviewed policies and protocols, actively participate in nursing team meetings. Use opportunities in the practice setting for ongoing professional development. Keep up to date with current journals and be supportive of research in palliative care, trends and changes. Maintain annual IV certification and CPR bi-annually. Attend professional supervision as planned with manager. Participate in PDRP Liaise with the Inpatient Unit Nurse Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist in regard to own education needs and professional development. Continually identify continuous quality improvement issues to ensure appropriate and up-to date practice. Understands the meaning and purpose of the accreditation program and the continuous quality improvement program at the hospice. Contribute regularly through participation in meetings and feedback on relevant issues. Demonstrate an understanding of the Mary Potter Hospice organisational standards that underpin the delivery of palliative care at Mary Potter Hospice. Incorporates into practice the approved changes resulting from the continuous quality improvement cycle of review. 2

3 Education and teaching Actively participate in formal and informal education as negotiated with the Inpatient Unit Nurse Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Recognise and develop education teaching skills to ensure improved provision of Palliative Care. Provide support, education and mentorship to student nurses and nursing colleagues. Health and Safety Practise within Mary Potter Hospice health and safety policies and procedures outlined in the Health and Safety Policy Manual. Report all identified hazards, incidents (including near-misses) and accidents to the Inpatient Unit Nurse Manager Contribute to ensuring that a safe working environment is maintained at all times Participate in mandatory health and safety training as required This job description does not intend to cover every detail that may be required within the role, and the expectation is that any other reasonable requests made by the Team Manager will be undertaken. FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Internal All MPH Staff IPU MDT PCCs Community MDT Volunteers Patients and family members External Hospital Palliative Care Team District Nurses Wellington Regional Hospital Care Co-ordinator Centre Primary Care including General Practice EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Be a Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand with a current annual practicing certificate 3

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION The following requirements are sought for this position: A minimum of two years full time equivalent post registration clinical experience in palliative care nursing. Have substantial recent palliative care experience Recognised by peers as having specialist skills in palliative care/end of life care or oncology and a role model and mentor within the field. Have a commitment to own educational development Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing Have an ability to work independently and show initiative with accountability for actions, to think laterally and problem solve Demonstrate a commitment to the understanding of the hospice philosophy and have an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and openness to wider cultural diversity. Have a strong commitment to multidisciplinary team work, influencing patient/family/whanau focused practice and goal attainment Have the ability to assist with and undertake research in the field of palliative care In order to meet the changing needs of Mary Potter Hospice, this job description may require change from time to time. Signed:... Date:... (Job Holder) Signed:... Date:... (Director) 4

5 Job Description Appendix About Mary Potter Hospice For 35 years, Mary Potter Hospice has provided the highest quality specialist palliative care to people whose illnesses are incurable. We support patients and their families to deal with the host of significant and challenging changes. At Mary Potter Hospice our vision is that people in our communities who need palliative care have access to compassionate and quality care, when and where they need it. To achieve this, we work alongside our many health partners to promote and provide education on quality palliative care and care planning services. We provide high quality specialist palliative care in our In-Patient Unit, in other care facilities and the community. The Hospice assists patients and their families with the quality of their life, their dying and their bereavement. Our values are based on respect, compassion, dignity, hospitality, and stewardship. In 2014, it costs around $10 million a year to run the Hospice. Just under 50% is currently funded by Government, with the balance to be raised from the community. Nearly $1.5 million (gross) comes from donated goods sold through our retail shops. Mary Potter Hospice is proud to be regarded as one of Wellington's most loved and trusted charities. Mary Potter Hospice is proud to be regarded as one of Wellington's most loved and trusted charities. As at January