Role Description Position Title: Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner (Community) Location: Nelson Tasman Hospice Date: August 2015 Reporting to: Hospice CEO Clinical reporting line to the Senior HMO Position Objective The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides advanced clinical expertise and leadership to enhance, care planning, treatment and outcomes for people with a palliative care need in the Nelson Tasman Community. The NP supports a multidisciplinary approach that begins with a patient s initial assessments for care to end stage care in both the community, Nelson Hospital and in our IPU. Working in partnership with individuals, families, whanau and communities across a range of settings the NP supports, complements and enhances existing services (primary, community, secondary and aged care) using a consultative and advisory model in collaboration with other health care providers. To lead a small team of Hospice Community Care Coordinators that work in the Nelson Tasman region and in Aged Residential Care across the region. Our Values The Things We Care About Respect & Dignity Advocacy Compassion Quality Trust Respect and dignity commits us to honour the autonomy and worth of all people and to work within a model of partnership. This requires us to acknowledge that each person is unique with their own physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural strengths and needs. Advocacy encourages us to ensure that there is fairness and equity of access and care to our services for everyone in our community. It also means that we have supportive networks to ensure all voices are heard and individual rights are upheld. Compassion compels us to be sensitive and supportive to one another, patients, families whànau, friends, staff, volunteers and colleagues. Quality demands a commitment to excellence through sharing knowledge, skills and expertise with other health care providers and each other. We strive to provide best practice (competent care) through ongoing quality improvement in all aspects of our work. Trust underpins our values of compassion, quality, advocacy, respect and dignity by ensuring that we sustain a commitment to integrity and honesty. Key Accountabilities & Expected Results Leadership Expected Results Demonstrates nursing leadership that positively influences the health outcomes of people with palliative care needs in the community.
Advanced Clinical Practice Palliative Care Coordination Models excellence in clinical professional practice mentors, coaches and supervises health care colleagues Influences organizational change as appropriate Facilitates collaboration between primary, aged care, community services and in-patient Utilizes evidence based theory and best practice in clinical care Contributes to clinical leadership across the Nelson Tasman Hospice Multi- Disciplinary Teams and wider Palliative Care Sector Demonstrates professional nursing leadership by participating in research, submissions and policy development. Creatively generates new approaches to the extension of nursing knowledge and delivery of expert care within resource constrained environments Works collaboratively with other NP s in the region and participates in peer support and mentorship Contributes to a culturally safe environment and upholds the Treaty of Waitangi Demonstrates the competencies for the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice, (www.ncnz.org.nz) (Appendix I) Applies advanced nursing practice in the provision of health care services to patients and whanau with a palliative care need Demonstrates advanced comprehensive patient health assessment skills and diagnostic decision making relative to specialist palliative care Demonstrates complex decision making skills to support advanced practice identifying patients and whanau/families at risk Orders, conducts and interprets diagnostic and laboratory tests, and administers therapies for the management of potential or actual health needs Consistently uses appropriate tests and investigations based upon the patient s clinical status to support clinical reasoning and evaluates measurable outcomes Provides patients and families/whanau with appropriate clinical information to support informed decision making, uses appropriate language and style respectful of the End of Life Experience Demonstrates competency with prescribing and regular medication review for palliative care patients Identifies quality improvement issues and contributes to the continual development of quality systems and processes to support palliative care service delivery. Initiates, develops and maintains a range of relationships and networks, both within and outside the Hospice Coordinates care across sectors and disciplines to improve patient outcomes Initiates and overseas health clinics for palliative care patients as part of the Nelson Tasman Hospice service model. Provides comprehensive accurate assessments of patients with a palliative care need in a variety of settings including general practice and the aged care sector Effective team member within the hospice multidisciplinary team Maintains excellent documentation and communication practice Evaluates effective use of assessment tools for safe, consistent best practice Anticipates and collaborates with training in response to the needs of clinical settings
Health of Older Person Consultancy Any Other Reasonable Duties Provides advisory support and consults with ARC, health of the older persons sector and the palliative care MDT to promote optimal outcomes for residents with palliative care needs Contributes clinical expertise and support in the development of clinical capability in care (knowledge, skill and leadership) of older persons with complex health needs Support access to timely therapeutic specialist palliative care nursing advise to promote optimal clinical care for the unwell or acutely unstable patient/resident Support the principles of dying in place of choice Contribute to improved coordination of care across sectors and disciplines Collaborate with clinical leadership within ARC settings to provide mentorship and enhance support for registered nurses and caregivers in their facilities. Provide a back-up support in the IPU as and when required. This job description does not intend to cover every detail that may be required within the role. Therefore, the expectation is that any other reasonable duties, as required by the CEO, will be undertaken in order to support a happy, safe and high performing work environment. Meet employee obligations in accordance with Appendix 1 Important Working Relationships Internal Hospice CEO Hospice Medical Director Hospice Medical Officers Clinical Nurse Leader Community Care Coordinators (Including newly funded positions for ARC) IPU nurses and staff Allied Health staff Educators and Quality/Infection Control RN Admin staff including Volunteer Coordinator Nelson Tasman Hospice Board members External General Practice staff ARC staff District Nurses Nelson Hospital staff NBPHO staff Patients and their families/carers Experience/Qualifications Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand in the Nurse Practitioner scope of practice and
holds a current practicing certificate. A post graduate qualification in palliative care and a minimum of 4 years experience in a palliative care The completion of a NZ approved clinical master s degree Skills & Personal Attributes Extensive and recent palliative care nursing experience Evidence of working at a level of advanced practice in palliative care Peer recognition as an expert in palliative care specialty practice A strong understanding of evidence based practice Have a strong commitment to interdisciplinary team work, influencing patient/family/whanau focused practice and goal attainment Ability to lead a team and achieve projected goals and targets Demonstrating leadership qualities such as vision, openness, flexibility and integrity Evidence of teaching and learning principles Demonstrates a collaborative working style, enabling the creation of strong and effective relationships with peers and other colleagues Ability to work effectively through conflict and maintain personal resilience in difficult situations Evidence of advanced nursing expertise and working across care settings Knowledge and understanding of medico/legal and ethical responsibilities for the NP role Well developed communication and interpersonal skills Knowledge of clinical quality improvement strategies Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively 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 An understanding of population health Have a current driver s licence.
APPENDIX 1 General Responsibilities of an Employee of Nelson Tasman Region Hospice Trust The following responsibilities are shared by all Nelson Tasman Hospice staff please read this section carefully as it contains important information that applies to your role every day. General Responsibilities What s Expected of You Scope of Practice and Responsibilities Nurse Practitioner is the legal title for a Registered Nurse who has completed advanced education and training in a specific area and has met the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) requirements to assess, diagnose and manage health conditions. The role requires professional leadership, advanced knowledge and clinical skills to provide high quality evidence-based palliative care practice. The Nurse Practitioner provides a wide range of interventions including differential diagnoses, ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, and administering therapies for the management of potential or actual health needs. Nurse Practitioners may choose to prescribe medicines within their specific area of practice. Nurse Practitioners also demonstrate leadership as consultants, educators, managers and researchers, and actively participate in professional activities, and in local and national policy development (NCNZ, 2011). Professional Standards Maintain any qualifications, including registrations and practicing certificates, required for legal and safe practice. Keep yourself up to date on knowledge, best practices and legislation relating to your work. Make a personal contribution towards effective and efficient working relationships within your team and with other NTRHT / NMDHB departments. Ensure you carry out your work in a way that is customer-focused and meets professional standards. Demonstrates use of nursing and medical research in clinical practice and commits to self and nursing education and professional development. In conjunction with your manager, identify your own training needs and plan to meet these needs. Manage your own time and prioritize your work effectively. Legislation, Regulations and Company Policies Be familiar with and adhere to, all relevant acts and regulations Be familiar with and or contribute to the development of: all company, hospital and department policies relevant procedure manuals the Employee Obligations which accompany the NTRHT Disciplinary Policy and Procedures
General Responsibilities What s Expected of You Risk Management Identifies practice areas of concern, risk and learning opportunities Support and promote actions and initiatives in your work area which enable risks to be identified and eliminated or reduced. Be especially aware of those risks which have high cost or safety implications. Complete an accident/incident report for any accident, incident or near miss which has taken place at work. Respond to complaints according to appropriate policies. Occupational Health & Safety Carry out your work in a healthy and safe manner. Encourage and assist others to work in the same way. Report and rectify any unsafe workplace conditions/practices. Complete an accident report for any accident or injury which has taken place at work, ensuring, in the case of injury, that your supervisor or manager is notified within 24 hours. Co-operate with, support and promote occupational health and safety actions and initiatives in the workplace. Read and understand the health and safety manual, any relevant chemical information, and the emergency plan. Keep your knowledge of identified hazards up to date. Uniforms A uniform allowance is supplied by NTRHT. Staff are able to choose from a designated range of clothing from catalogues held by the Trust or purchase their own following NTRHT dress code guidelines i.e. Sensible tops both colour and style wise. (No see-through, overly flowing/floaty materials or garish colours please). Navy/black dress pants, dress shorts (longer length) and skirt. No jeans or denim, patch pockets etc. A reimbursement up to the allowance limit, provided the garments purchased meet dress code, will be given on set up and then a yearly allowance will be available from the anniversary of commencement. Security Wear your identification badge at all times when on site or when carrying out official duties. Notify HR of any changes required for your ID badge. Report any suspicious or unusual occurrence to your Manager. Complete an incident report for any incident which has or might have compromised the safety of staff, patients and visitors. Confidentiality Adhere to the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code 1994 and subsequent amendments in regard to the non-disclosure of information. Strict confidentiality of patient, applicant and employee s information is maintained at all times. Treaty of Waitangi Nelson Tasman Region Hospice Trust is committed to its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
General Responsibilities What s Expected of You As an employee you are required to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, Partnership, Participation and Protection. I confirm that I have read and understood this Role Description in full. If I have any questions as to its content or what is expected of me in future I will seek guidance from my Manager. By signing this position description indicates that you agree with employment conditions as described in the letter of offer and the Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA) between the NZNO and Hospices if NZNO Member, or individual employment contract. Employee Name (please print) Employee Signature Date of Signing