Job summary
To provide clinical leadership and management of the IPU nursing team.

Work as part of the team delivering and maintaining high-quality evidence-based care to patients.

Promote and maintain an atmosphere which reflects the Hospice values and behaviours promoting a culture of learning, enquiry and continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated nurse to join our Inpatient Unit as a Sister/Charge Nurse.

This rewarding role offers the chance to provide visible clinical leadership, support and develop the nursing team, advocate for patients and colleagues, contribute to multidisciplinary team decision-making, and play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the high-quality care we provide.

We are looking for a compassionate and committed individual with excellent clinical and leadership skills who is passionate about delivering outstanding palliative and end-of-life care. Whether you are already working at a senior level or are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.

As part of our dedicated team, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families while helping to shape and develop our services.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details about the role and requirements.

About us
At Teesside Hospice, we believe in making every moment count. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional, specialist care and support to patients and their families during challenging times.

People are at our core. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and are always aiming for the highest standards and working environment. Our teams work positively together, collaborating to ensure our patients get the best care, and staff enjoy a fulfilling career knowing they make a real difference in people's lives.

Our values are Compassionate, Skilled, Accountable, Trustworthy and Principled - working here means being part of a community that focuses on empathy, respect and teamwork. We're there for everyone who needs us and are on a mission to change the way society and healthcare systems care for people.

Join us at Teesside Hospice and be part of a place where your skills and compassion can truly shine.

Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice

• As a visible clinical leader will support the provision of direct, holistic, care for those requiring specialist palliative and end of life care on the unit.
• Utilising advanced specialist knowledge and skill in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care for patients within IPU from admission to discharge
• Ensure that clinical practices accurately reflect IPU and hospice policies whilst respecting the patients needs and dignity.
• Provide advice and support to patients and their families in complex and highly emotive situations whilst respecting their cultural and spiritual values.
• Plan a timely, organised, discharge of patients ensuring good communication with patient and their families and/or professionals involved in their care.
• As per hospice medicines policy follow the safe ordering, storage and administration of medicines.
• Act in the patients best interests working to protect values and rights of the patient with integrity and insight.
• Responsible for infection control and cleanliness standards on a shift-by-shift basis by ensuring that self and staff follow hospice policy.
• Always adheres to the NMC Code of conduct and acts as the patient advocates.
• Work as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team, providing visible nursing leadership within multidisciplinary discussion
• Empower and support patients and the nursing team, confidently advocating for the nursing perspective and constructively challenging decisions where required to promote safe person-centred car
• Ensure nursing views and clinical concerns are appropriately considered in treatment planning, risk management and discharge decision-making.
• Ensure standards of documentation are maintained in accordance with NMC and hospice guidelines for records and records keeping.
• Lead and participates in audit and evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills systems with patients, their relatives and friends and other visitors.

Management
Deputise for the IPU CTL

To act as an effective role model and resource/adviser to colleagues in the delivery of nursing care.

To provide visible clinical leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planning delivery and evaluation of individualised care.

Deputise for IPU Clinical Team Leader as and when required

Responsible for monitoring the workload/patient complexity and dependency using an evidence base tool within the unit when on shift to ensure that nurse staffing is adequate to provide a safe standard of nursing care.

Ensure the cost-effective and appropriate use of staffing and materials with consideration and due regard to budgetary control.

Exercise leadership and professional role modelling to motivate members of staff, achieve high morale and promote effective communication within the unit.

Investigate all accidents, incidents and complaints, reporting them to the appropriate personnel, along with the relevant documentation, in a timely manner.

Inform Clinical Team Leader when changes in circumstances occur which may affect safe and competent practice.

Encourage new ideas and facilitate their implementation following discussion with the wider senior team.

Facilitate the process of continuous quality improvement.

Undertake regular performance reviews and appraisals in the development of Professional Development Plans for staff within team.

Recognise and address poor performance or competency concerns promptly, taking appropriate action in line with organisational policies and procedures.

Participate and lead in any grievance, disciplinary, performance or sickness issues as appropriate and in accordance with hospice procedures.

Ensuring bank timesheets, you sign are an accurate representation of the time worked.

The post holder will need to maintain a personal duty of care when handling patient valuables/property.

Develop as a member of the wider senior hospice team.

Generic Competencies
Will be accountable for their actions and act in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

Will act in accordance with hospice and statutory guidelines & policies including health and safety initiatives.

Be responsible for own education, professional development (PDP) and professional portfolio for revalidation.

Establish a relationship with a Clinical Supervisor.

Will act as supervisor, where appropriate to junior members of staff and unqualified members of staff.

Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives.

Will adopt a service-orientated approach to work.

Will practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner.

Education & Training
Provides visible clinical and managerial leadership to nursing, support staff and volunteers.

Participate in the orientation of new staff to their duties, ensuring that expectations of the roles are discussed and developed.

Provide support for and give guidance to junior staff.

Support the delivery of formal and informal teaching sessions for all staff internal and external to the organisation.

Act as a mentor and preceptor and assist in the management of preceptorship and mentorship arrangements for staff new to the unit.

Provides clinical supervision to other staff and students.

Participate in educational audits and ensure that the unit always provides an appropriate learning environment.

Provide support to non-nursing, clerical and administrative staff and volunteers.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff for the unit.

Assist in the maintenance and review of information technology systems within the unit.

Data Compliance and Confidentiality
Within the constraints of patient confidentiality, ensure pertinent information is accurately conveyed to relevant personnel in a timely manner i.e. the multi-disciplinary team and all other health professionals.

Communicate extremely sensitive or emotive information to families or visitors.

Assist, in conjunction with IPU Clinical Team leader in ensuring that agreed programmes and standards of care are implemented and evaluated, thus providing high standards of patient care at all times.

Work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team and individually.

Ensure that nursing care and clinical practice is research and/or evidence based.

Safeguarding
To comply with Teesside Hospice and Tees Local Safeguarding Boards Policies, Procedures and Practice

To follow Teesside Hospice policy regarding the management of safeguarding concerns.

To access mandatory safeguarding training and demonstrate competence at the required level.

Equality, Diversity and Rights
Teesside Hospice statement on ED is committed to improving the quality of its services to all people, irrespective of race/ethnicity, disability, gender, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation. Our objective is to deliver high quality services that are accessible, responsive, and appropriate to meet the diverse needs of different groups and individuals. As such, we will continue to take action to ensure that staff and volunteers employed by Teesside Hospice are culturally aware and treat every person with dignity, respect and fairness, in a way that is sensitively responsive to differences and similarities. Unlawful discrimination and other forms of exclusion have no place within Teesside Hospice.

To support equality, diversity and rights of all patients and their families, staff and volunteers.

To actively promote the consultation of patients and families and their involvement and participation in decision making.

To work to the Hospice Equality and Diversity Policy.

Health & Safety
To carry out duties placed on employees by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

To comply with Health and Safety Policy.

To take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

To co-operate with their employer as far as is necessary to meet the requirements of the legislation.

To not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in the pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

To be aware of and always adhere to current policies regarding infection control.

To maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and presentation.

To act at all times in a professional manner, respecting the needs of colleagues and cooperating to maintain a harmonious working environment.

Person Specification
Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Able to inspire, lead and develop the nursing team
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to facilitate and lead a team and to act as a positive role model
• Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others.
• Excellent IT Skills, specifically Microsoft word, Excel

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse (level 1) with Degree
• Post registration experience at Registered Nurse level
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Post Graduate qualification in Palliative, End of Life Care or other relevant post registration qualification.

Desirable

• Advanced Communications Qualification
• Specialist Palliative & End of Life Care competencies
• Masters qualification or working towards
• Leadership &/ or Management Qualification

Other
Essential

• Disclosure through DBS
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet service needs

Personal Attributes/Key skills
Essential

• Professional at all times
• Motivated with a Can Do attitude and able to motivate others
• Ability to deal with conflict/challenging situations
• Alignment to Hospice values

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to the area
• Ward/unit skills and experience
• Experience of leading multi professional teams.
• Experience of participating in Audit, Research, Quality Improvement initiatives and service development
• Experience of teaching and assessing staff at all levels and learners in clinical practice
• Experience of staff development, staff induction, preceptorship and assessment of clinical competencies
• Experience of performance review, and continuous professional development

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: Teesside Hospice
Address: Teesside Hospice, 1 Northgate Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 5NW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.teessidehospice.org (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: People & Governance Assistant, Anna Goldsmith, HRenquiries@teessidehospice.co.uk, 01642811060

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.