Senior Sister

St Helena is looking for a Senior Sister to provide clinical and professional leadership to the inpatient team, in order to ensure that staff have the relevant skills and competencies to deliver high quality holistic care to patients and families Main duties of the job Job plan to demonstrate split between managerial role with clinical work based on service needs. Maintain and improve clinical standards within the inpatient unit, identify where existing standards should be updated and highlight new developments in practice to all clinical services across the organisation. Work alongside the Matron, Associate Director of Clinical Services and Associate Director of Operations in developing a patient and family led service on the IPU. Work as a member of the nursing team, providing high standards of specialist palliative and end of life care to patients and their relatives, including good customer care, providing a role model to other members of the team. Work within the budgeted establishment, evidence-based staffing models and future electronic rostering system to ensure that safe staffing levels are planned and maintained escalating to Matron when safe staffing is compromised., Provide clinical leadership to the service, includingdirect and indirect management of individuals and resources includingmanaging sickness, absence, compassionate leave, study leave and return to workinterviews In collaborationwith the Matron, Associate Director of Clinical Services and Associate Directorof Operations, participate in service planning Encourage servicedevelopment and provide guidance and support to all staff to manage changeaccordingly in collaboration with senior clinical colleagues Participate in theaudit process and encourage all staff to embrace the opportunities gained fromaudit Assist in theidentification and meeting of educational needs of staff and volunteers Undertake staffdevelopment reviews in accordance with St Helena policy Support Matron tomaintain an awareness of health, safety and welfare at work issues (includinginfection control, risk assessment and management) within the service area. Promote the use ofthe Royal Marsden Manual and specific St Helena policies and procedures. Monitor and reviewpolicies and procedures working alongside the Policy and Procedure Group. Facilitate aneffective and open learning environment Deputise for theMatron in periods of absence / unavailability Participate inClinical Supervision both as a recipient and a provider In collaborationwith Matron and Senior colleagues ensure the service complies with CQC 5 QualityStatements and regulations Comply with NMCguidelines Have oversight ofrespite and CHC placements. Support theOperations Hub to manage flow throughout the unit. Encourage open andhonest communication within the team and with managers. Encourage team membersto use supervision, staff support and Health and Wellbeing Supportappropriately Organise own work load. Lead in the appointment and development of newstaff Beaware of own emotional needs, relating to the palliative care environment, andhow to meet them Participateas a member of theinter-disciplinary teamin assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating care and meeting the needs ofpatients Work as part of a team to provide psychological,emotional, spiritual and social support to patients and families whose livesare affected by illness, loss and grief To actas an advocate safeguarding the patients and familys rights and interests,abilities and aptitudes, encouraging empowerment and informed choice Liaisonwith professionals from other agencies for the benefit of the patient and theirfamily Participatein meetings as required with patients and their families, including otheragency professionals as is relevant Tocommunicate sensitively and effectively both verbally and in writing withpatients, families and colleagues including volunteers. In some cases there maybe barriers to understanding or highly sensitive communication required To takea leading role in the co-ordination of care, treatment, resources andactivities which will assist the patient and family involved towards quality oflife and / or adjustment to loss Toensure end of life procedures are carried out sensitively and appropriately Demonstrateawareness of emotional needs of patients and families and the sensitivity andcommunication skills to meet these needs Act as co-worker for patients providing effectivecommunication with key-workers in order to ensure continuity of care forpatients across hospice services

• Degree or working towards
• Mentorship qualification
• Practice supervisor and assessor qualification
Desirable
• 1st Degree palliative
• Care clinical supervision qualification
• Teaching qualification
Experience Essential
• Minimum of 3 years in Specialist Palliative care setting.
• Minimum 5 years as Registered Nurse
Desirable
• Experience of working in Community & Inpatient setting
• Experience of working with people with mental health needs
• Experience of working with people with sensory and learning disabilities
Skills & Knowledge Essential
• Knowledge of Healthcare in all settings community day services, nursing homes.
• Specialist knowledge of symptom management.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of issues affecting vulnerable people
• Proven ability to recognise and respond to potential distress in individuals.
Desirable
• Knowledge of St Helena Hospice and how it works
• Knowledge of the national hospice environment.
• Understanding of working within set budgets
Qualities Essential
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Flexible approach to work and shift system.
• Role model who can influence, motivate and encourage others
• Commitment to quality and best practice
• Positive, self-motivated and committed to achieving results and solving problems
Desirable
• Innovative and creative
Communication Essential
• Sensitive communication skills
• Skills in :
• Attentive listening
• Empathy
• Exploration
• Non-judgemental
• Summarising
• Diplomacy
• Proven ability to deal with situations of conflict.
• Proven written and oral communication skills.
• Basic IT skills
• Understanding of the effects of terminal illness on an individual & family.
Desirable
• Skills in communicating with people with specific communication needs including learning disabilities and sensory disabilities
  
  Here at StHelena, we believe that everyone living with an incurable illness has the rightto live and die with choice, compassion and dignity. Families deserve to becared for and anyone coping with loss should be supported through their grief.
Our vision isto create a community where everyone knows that as the end of their story drawsnear, they will be cared for and die where they choose to be; where loved oneshave the opportunity to make the most of life together, surrounded by peoplewho care and support one another. Since weopened in 1985, this belief drives us to provide the best end of life care andbereavement support to everyone in north east Essex, not just today but foryears to come.