Community Palliative Care Team Leader

Job summary

TrinityHospice has been at the heart of the Fylde coast for more than 39 years,providing compassionate care for people on their journey towards the end oflife. Our dedicated specialist nursing teams touch the lives of thousands ofpatients and families each year, with one vision for the future that everyoneacross Blackpool and the Fylde coast has access to high-quality end-of-lifecare.

Ouroutstanding care and support is free to all who need it, wherever they want it;whether they are in our hospice, in hospital or a residential care home, or intheir own home in familiar surroundings. And we dont stop at the end of apersons life our care continues through bereavement support for as long assomeone needs us.

We have an excitingopportunity for the right candidate to join an established team in leading palliativecare in the community.

Main duties of the job

The post holder should beforward thinking and proactive with extensive experience within leadership toestablish clear goals within the team which will contribute to the needs of ourpatients.

The team currently providesspecialist palliative care to a population of 350K across Blackpool, Wyre andFylde. An understanding of the strategic vision of care needs within the localPalliative Care Networks covering the area would be an advantage and aknowledge of service gaps to ensure everyone with a life limiting illness hasaccess to specialist palliative care.

You will ensure on the day responseto requests for support from our community and hospitals as part of the SinglePoint of Access and Virtual Ward projects. Also working alongside members ofthe palliative care team clinically to manage patients symptoms and supportthem to live well.

You will be a team player withthe ability to work autonomously and possess a willingness and motivation tomake a difference.

The service is provided over 7 days and some flexibility will be required according to business need over a 24 hour period.

About us

The successful candidate will be joining an organisation which is highly rated by the people who work there. The 2023 Staff Survey found 98% of respondents enjoy the work that they do, 96% were proud to work for our Charity and 96% enjoy working with the people within the organisation.

Our Staff Benefits:

38 days annual leave each year, pro rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays) Professional Registration fees reimbursed Various Health and Wellbeing benefits including annual flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, access to complementary therapy and counselling. Free car parking on site Discounted staff meals Pension scheme, or NHS Pensions are transferable Maternity/Paternity benefits

Trinity is a great place to work, having an outstanding rating with the Care Quality Commission and Investors in People Gold accreditation. If you are looking to join a thriving, increasingly innovative organisation, which puts passion and care at the heart of its operations, then this may well be the post for you

Job description

Job responsibilities

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Leadership within the team to support delivery of new and existing projects and improve specialist palliative care service provision across Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre CCGs.

OVERALL PURPOSE: To ensure specialist palliative care knowledge, expertise and support is provided to patients, carers, their GPs, and all other health care professionals to maximise the patients quality of life.

JOB SUMMARY: To facilitate the integration of palliative care services into the community and peripheral hospitals to support General Practitioners and other allied health professionals, to achieve the best quality of care for patients referred to Trinity Hospice & Palliative Care Services.

Be a clinical resource for professionals and non-professionals involved in palliative care within the community setting and provide strong leadership skills to the community palliative care team.

Leadership Role:

50% of the role will be to provide leadership to the community team (this will be flexible depending on the service needs)

Demonstrate leadership in influencing specialist practice to nursing, medical and other health care professionals. To liaise and work closely with the Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialist Manager and the Hospice Consultant of matters relating to Specialist Palliative Care Nursing in the community to ensure that the community service remains efficient and effective.

Oversight and responsibility for the general running of the shift. Including sickness management and support for team.

Be an active member of the Palliative Care Networks and participate in the Supportive Palliative care groups and Complex case discussions supporting the work of the End-of-life steering group accordingly.

Support the development of new ways of working which includes Living Well services, Single point of access, non-medical prescribing, and Virtual Ward, enabling patients to have a choice in how they are assessed.

Support and implement the design of projects to improve and develop service provision for all patients with a life limiting illness, looking at gaps in the service to support minority and hard to reach groups.

Cooperate fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate. Report and discuss any problems which may occur with CNS Lead and Hospice Consultant as appropriate. Attend staff meetings both in the Hospice and community, communicating information to supporting systems. Be involved in audit of patient care, and service developments and participate in research programmes to promote high standards of Specialist Palliative Care. Compile reports and exception reports as required.

Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team to work collaboratively with health professionals from hospice, community, and the acute trust.

Be responsible for ensuring up to date knowledge of current policies and procedures and to adhere to these. Organise and undertake 1:1 meetings and PDR reviews with team members.

Clinical Duties:

50% of the role will be to provide clinical support to the community team (this will be flexible depending on the service needs)

Have overall responsibility for delegating work to team members daily.

To undertake clinical holistic assessments with patients requiring palliative care in the community and contribute to meeting their holistic care needs.

Support the management of advanced palliative care symptoms by providing support and advice to both the patient and carers, liaising with other health care providers as required.

To liaise with other health care providers, General Practitioners, Community Nurses, Community Matrons, Social Workers, hospital staff and other members of the Trinity Team involved in patient care.

Set and maintain high standards of patient care in Specialist Palliative Nursing.

Demonstrate enhanced communication skills, when dealing with patients and families.

Triage referrals from General Practitioners, Hospital Consultants, and other Clinical Nurse Specialists to provide the most appropriate care package for the patient, referring to other health professionals as required.

Be responsible for patients on the community caseload requiring Specialist Palliative Care, ensuring effective use of resources.

Co-ordinate on the day to requests for support from community and acute colleagues and patients and families.

Provide liaison with General Practitioners regarding pain and complex symptom management, care needs, admission to Hospice or referral for appropriate care.

Assess, develop, implement, and evaluate programmes of care for patients with palliative care needs in areas such as complex pain and symptom management.

Advise and support the primary Health Care Team in their generalist palliative care role.

Advise and liaise with social services and the staff of Nursing or Care Homes regarding patients requiring Specialist Palliative Care intervention.

Assess and prioritise patients for admission to the Hospice, presenting cases timely to the admissions board.

Undertake training in psychological care at level 2

Be willing to undertake V300 non-medical prescribing course and actively prescribe within competencies.

Understand family dynamics and give specialist emotional and psychological support to the patient and carers as required.

Liaise with Hospice Chaplains and the Clergy to provide spiritual support when needed.

Following bereavement, provide continued support to relatives and carers, identify problems and signpost to appropriate service.

Referral to appropriate agencies, for financial assessment and support, including assessment for grants available from the Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Keep accurate and up to date nursing records of each patient, ensuring records are kept is in line with professional standards utilising electronic patient record facility (EMIS)

Liaise with and refer as appropriate to voluntary services.

Maintain confidentiality in all matters and always work in a professional manner.

Support the fundraising team in their role to raise awareness of the charity.

Undertake supervision to discuss psychological case management advice.

General Responsibilities

To undertake all mandatory training as required by Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services.

Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially regarding patients and staff.

To undertake an appraisal and personal development review annually and use the CNS team competencies to assist self-development.

Actively seek opportunities to continuously update and improve knowledge and competencies.

Be a co-operative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team, discuss any issues in the post holders workload that may affect other members of the Trinity team and identify such to the CNS Manager.

Support and mentor new members of staff.

To always promote the Hospice philosophy and uphold the Trinity core values.

Learning:

Be responsible for seeking out learning opportunities and projects to improve service delivery. Support staff to deliver new projects, having oversight and responsibility for presenting outcomes and future recommendations. Support pre and post registration students, staff from other Hospices, Macmillan teams, medical students, Community and Hospital nurses undertaking clinical placements. Teaching is an essential part of the role. Take part in Education Programmes organised at the Education and Learning Centre for Palliative Care Studies based at Trinity and in the Palliative Care Networks. Educate the public on the role of Palliative Care Services, by giving talks and attending functions alongside the fundraising team. Develop computer skills to maintain records and collate statistics.

Personal:

Be responsible for own well being.

Use opportunities to extend clinical and professional knowledge. Take responsibility for own professional development, identifying training and development needs to line manager. To monitor relevant research developments and disseminate the findings to patients, relatives, and colleagues in the extended Health Care Team as appropriate to promote effective patient care. To join with other staff in the promotion of all Palliative Care Service as appropriate. Comply with Nursing and Midwifery Council Regulations. For professional registration and practice. Ensure awareness of and act in accordance with Health and Safety at work procedures. Always demonstrate Trinitys values.

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registration with a professional body Recent evidence of continuing professional development Advanced communication skills Teaching/Leadership qualification

Desirable

Willing to undertake non-medical prescribing V300. Educated to Degree level DNAR training

Experience

Essential

Minimum 5 years post registration experience- 2 years at Band 6 level or above. Knowledge of palliative care and caring for people with long term conditions. Medicines management evidence Experience in team management Evidence of involvement in service development Completed leadership training

Desirable

Community experience Specialist palliative care experience Experience of mentoring/coaching. Knowledge of palliative care networks

Attitudes and Values

Essential

Commitment to the vision, values and objectives of Trinity Hospice and palliative care services

Desirable

Be committed to support the work of the fundraising team, understanding the charity role

Personal Attributes

Essential

Ability to work within a team and as an autonomous practitioner Proactive and self motivated Ability to problem solve and deal with situations in a diplomatic and constructive manner Work within professional and organisational Standards Responsibility for own continuing professional development Flexible to ensure rota is covered.

Skills and Attributes

Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication skills Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to demonstrate leadership and influencing skills Excellent organisational skills, with an ability to prioritise work around competing demands on time. Ability to manage conflicting priorities and flex within working day and across other service areas.

Desirable

Audit skills Presentation skills Use of EMIS

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