Clinical Specialist

The post holder will be responsible for individual assessment and processing of all referrals received at the hospice and will promote and monitor safe and effective practice over a flexible 7-day rota.

The Clinical Specialist role will work closely with a Referrals Hub Manager, Referrals Hub Clinical Nurse Specialist, Referrals Assistant and Referrals & Admissions Coordinator.

The Referrals Hub team will work pro-actively across all service areas within Saint Francis Hospice to ensure that all plans and arrangements following assessment are in place for a person's acceptance and admission to all hospice services.

The post holder will be responsible for championing the Hospice values to provide effective clinical and professional leadership in conjunction with the Referrals Hub Manager for the whole team within the Referrals Hub to address the needs of individuals, their families and carers.

To work leading on incoming referrals to the referral's hub providing high standards of clinical triage/assessment & specialist palliative care, advice and support to individuals, relatives and carers, being a role model to other members of the team & signposting referrals for other services as appropriate.

The post holder will be responsible for the leadership and day-to-day support of staff who work within the Referrals Hub, to facilitate their professional development, nursing practice and ensure the highest possible standard of care.

Lead on the day-to-day incoming referrals in close consultation with the referral's hub team, SCCS team leaders and wider teams throughout SFH as well as external referrers.

To work collaboratively with the primary care team to provide high-quality specialist support, advice and symptom control to individuals with specialist complex palliative care needs and their carers in their primary care setting.

To support the SCCS Managers / Head of Community Services in monitoring and maintaining quality nursing practice in accordance with national and local standards/guidelines.

Lead on Referral Hub developments and respond to all Referral Hub objectives and service delivery goals and opportunities, in line with Hospice strategy.

To be able to work flexibly across a 7-day service as indicated by service need and demand as the referral hub further develops in line with strategic direction.

To actively monitor key performance indicators regarding referrals for SFH ensuring compliance and reporting any variances to Head of Community Services.

To ensure that the Referrals Hub is always staffed safely according to need and within allocated resources with accountability for the duty rota in line with SCCS to ensure consistency.

Supervision and co-ordination of Referrals Hub team

To undertake delegated duties from the Referrals Hub Manager / Head of Community Services in relation to nursing and clinical issues.

To co-ordinate/monitor the appraisal system and undertake staff appraisals if requested with support from Referrals Hub Manager

Contribute to reports as required for internal use and for external use regarding referral demand and outcomes.

Ensure and oversee Referral Hub service compliance with all Health and Safety requirements.

Contribute to local, regional and national forums for specialist palliative care services as a Referrals Hub representative.

Develop and maintain working relationships with other Local Hospices, Acute Trusts, Primary Care, Community Services and Local Authority Services to ensure joint service planning as appropriate.

To ensure that the Referrals Hub provides an excellent learning environment for staff and those on placement and ensure that knowledge is shared.

To promote the development of Referrals Hub nursing and administrative support through reflective practice and ensure other support mechanisms are in place.

To work alongside the Practice Development Team to identify and meet the development needs of staff, through induction, orientation, appraisal and learning/support following incident.

Attend internal Management Group meetings and other internal meetings relevant to the Referrals Hub Clinical Specialist role and ensure appropriate information is fed back to the Referrals Hub Team.

Professional Responsibilities

To lead and manage the Referrals Hub by example-team work, collaboration, inspiration and direction.

To understand the importance of own professional accountability and recognise individual responsibility for personal and professional development in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct.

To receive reflective practice/one to one supervision for own personal and professional development.

To facilitate quality initiatives both for the Referrals Hub and from a perspective across the hospice.

To adhere to the policies and conditions of service of SFH.

To understand that the Referrals Hub clinical specialist role may change as the post develops, but only with discussion between the Head of Community Services and Director of Quality and Care.

Governance and Quality Assurance

To assist with responding, reporting, investigating and learning with regards to concerns, complaints and incidents in liaison with the Head of Nursing, Quality and Assurance.

Ensure the Referrals Hub manages safeguarding in line with policy, process and escalation, with documented reference to Safeguarding Leads.

To ensure that national and local policies and procedures are adhered to by all staff and in accordance with the Regulations and Standards of the Care Quality Commission and Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC).

• Significant clinical senior level experience Band 6/7.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the CQC registered service requirements for hospice service delivery.
• Experience of service redesign and implementation.
• Experience of working within the NHS or Local Government and in particular implementing service policies and procedures.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of IT - inclusive of excel, access, word and power point.
• Adaptable, flexible and able to handle uncertainty.
• Ability to provide clinical supervision.
• Knowledge of existing NHS and Local Authority structure/strategy.