The Macmillan Lead Nurse for Palliative Care is managerially responsible and accountable to the Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse for the management, leadership and development of the palliative care service within the Trust.

The post holder will be a highly experienced palliative care nurse with vision and drive to lead an excellent team of clinical nurse specialists, and lead a well-established service in collaboration with the Consultant in Palliative Medicine, for the ongoing development of palliative and end of life care across the Trust.

You will need to be a registered nurse with a passion for the care of patients' palliative and end of life care needs, have expert knowledge, skills and competency gained through working at a senior level within specialist palliative care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work collaboratively within the Trust. aiming to implement service improvement to ensure consistency of practice reflecting the values and behaviours of the Trust.

Undertake the comprehensive holistic needs assessment of complex palliative care patients, including those reaching end of life, using clinical and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised recommendations, management and treatment plans.

To engage with families and carers of patients, in particular those with complex needs, using advanced communication skills to identify their needs, respond to them and engage other professionals as appropriate

As an authoritative expert in specialist palliative care to advise colleagues on complexities and issues relating to the speciality including advanced symptom control, ethical issues in end of life care.

To demonstrate expert knowledge being visible, accessible and using clinical skills within the workplace as appropriate.

To maintain and develop clinical pathways to ensure effectiveness of intervention working with relevant health and social care professionals, ensuring that a seamless approach to care is maintained.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a strong leadership with respect to management of professional nursing issues.

Attend meetings pertinent to the service within DVH, locality and Networks to participate in service developments and communicate plans and changes which will be expected to impact care (i.e. supporting the implementation of ReSPECT).

To work collaboratively on formulating an up-to-date palliative and end of life care strategy for the Trust which reflects local and national strategic aims.

To work towards an inclusive strategy to include hard to reach groups within Palliative Care provision locally. e.g. the homeless, substance misusers.

To prepare and deliver the Trusts annual End of Life Care report, presenting at Directorate and Board level where required.

To attend meetings relating to service development both internally and externally. Working in partnership to foster supportive relationships which can impact change and create positive a patient experience.

To contribute towards the promotion of user involvement and feedback leading to service improvement.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION

Essential

• First level registered nurse and current NMC registration
• Masters Degree / post Graduate degree in Palliative Care/ Oncology
• Masters Degree / Postgraduate teaching qualification
• Advanced Communication Skills
• Advanced physical assessment qualification
• Non- medical prescribing course or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• Evidence of post graduate research activity (publications and currently contributing to speciality research activity)

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Advanced knowledge of symptom management and holistic needs assessments.
• Comprehensive understanding of the role specialist palliative care has in end of life care
• Knowledge of national guidance on improvements for palliative and end of life care
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of colleagues and professionals in service delivery and demonstrate positive outcomes for patients

MANAGEMENT

Essential

• Management experience
• Evidence of service development/ improvement
• Evidence of successful people and team management
• Understanding of the role within the current health environment and the impact of current government /regional policy developments

Desirable

• Certificate / Post graduate qualification in management/leadership

SKILLLS

Essential

• Highly competent palliative care/ end of life skills
• Skills in leadership and motivating others
• Ability to facilitate group supervision
• Advanced assessment skills
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to make challenging decisions
• IT literate
• Able to utilise research and audit in service development

Desirable

• Prescribing skills
• European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
• Knowledge and experience of managing budgets

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience of working across organisational boundaries
• Experience of leadership in a Palliative Care setting
• Experience of line management & employment relation issues
• Evidence of working as Clinical Nurse Specialist/an advanced practitioner in palliative care, cancer or another speciality
• Ability to work strategically with advanced decisionmaking skills to deal with complex situations
• Ability to contribute at national level and be involved with Trust wide projects and initiatives

Desirable

• Experience working in all sectors of palliative care
• Experience of business and service planning
• Ability to disseminate information in both written format and in public speaking forum

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

252-4719818-D