Clinical Nurse Specialist- Palliative Care

Reports: ADON

Accountable: Matron

Hours: 39 hours per week

Location: All Inpatient Units

BACKGROUND

The Hermitage Clinic is an acute independent hospital. The hospital specialises in Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Orthopaedic, General Surgery, and Oncology

ROLE PURPOSE

The clinical nurse specialist in Palliative Care has a pivotal role to play in the coordination of care and management of palliative patients.

Clinical care, staff education and support, patient and family, education, research and audit are integral aspects of the role. 

The overall benefit of the role for patients is to improve continuity and quality of care.

The CNS is required to work closely with the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of the

highest standard of patient care.

Vision, innovation, flexibility, good communication and management skills are essential to the successful carrying out of the role 

The CNS is included in the Senior Nursing administration of the hospital and in her /his role will support the Matron and her other colleagues.

QUALIFICATION

Name maintained on Live Register with the NMBI 

Have a minimum of five years post registration experience.

A minimum of two years experience must be in palliative care or Oncology.

The person must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.

Ideally have undertaken a recognised Palliative Care Course or commitment to undertake 

Bachelor of Nursing Degree is desirable.

Front line Managers Course is desirable

Computer skills are desirable.

Competent in hospital information system.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical Practice

Direct Care

Give direct nursing care to palliative patients. Direct nursing care consists of assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to patients and their families.

Required to work closely with the multi disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of the highest standard of care.

Based on specially focused knowledge and skills, the CNS in palliative care will assist in higher-level decision-making

Indirect Care

Give indirect care to palliative patients. Indirect care relates to activities that influence others in their provision of direct care. Examples include discussion of patient care with staff nurses, development of practice guidelines specific to palliative care.

To act as a nurse adviser and role model at clinical level. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through nursing practice.

Demonstrate leadership ability together with good communication skills and management capability.

Maintain awareness of current advances in palliative treatment, care and research.

Develop nursing protocols, guidelines and policies in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team hospital based on best practice 

You must comply with all hospital policy's in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.

2. Patients and Client Advocate

Utilises advanced palliative care knowledge and experience to communicate, negotiate and represent patient values with other professionals and community resource providers.

Act as a patient advocate when necessary

Encourage the provision of a high standard of care to patients and families

The CNS in Palliative Care makes recommendations to the medical team for referrals of patients to physiotherapy, psychiatry, dietician, social work, occupational therapist and community health care providers.

Provide patient and family education at a level suitable for their learning needs.

Provide a forum for patient care discussion at multidisciplinary case conferences attendedby representatives from Nursing, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Palliative care, Pathology,

Facilitate effective communication between patient/ family and the multidisciplinary team

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Help to foster supportive working and learning environment and maintain staff morale.

Promote and create a climate of clinical inquiry through practice.

Share specialist clinical knowledge with staff nurses and health care assistants through

formal and informal learning opportunities. 

Act as a resource to undergraduate and post-registration students and junior medical staff in oncology care.

Provide and develop family education, for example: available support groups, social services, and community resources.

Complements the staff nurse role when more detailed specialist knowledge is required.

Develop patient education materials in conjunction with multidisciplinary team.

Identifies own learning needs and objectives and communicates these with line manager.

Engages in relevant professional development.

Network with other CNS to exchange and enhance specialist knowledge, both internal

and external to the organisation.

Audits and Research

Be aware of hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and Quality manager to ensure that these are observed and updated.

Utilise current research to function as a change agent, identify barriers to more comprehensive health-care delivery, modify behaviour, and introduce new approaches to patient care.

Set standards of nursing practice. Communicate these standards to nursing personnel.

Initiate, participate in and evaluate audit.

Involved in continuous audit of current oncology practice

Audit effectiveness of CNS role

Identify evidence based practice in Palliative Care and initiate change when indicated

Evaluate educational programmes for effectiveness

Consultant

Receive referrals for patient consultation from other members of the multi disciplinary team throughout the hospital.

Respond to request for specialist nursing knowledge throughout the hospital. Promote the role and demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the palliative care nurse specialist within the hospital.

Identify need for service development.

Consult with client, family multidisciplinary team, and hospital management to develop service.

Form links with other experts nationally and internationally.

Demonstrate leadership qualities

This role profile is an outline of the post as envisaged by The Hermitage Clinic in adherence to the guidelines set down by the National Council. The CNS will be expected to contribute fully to the determination of further details and specific objective. This role will therefore be subject to change in detail and emphasis in the light of that contribution and future development