Vacancy Information Pack
Post:
Community Palliative Care Specialist Nurse
(part-time 20 hours per week over 4 days)
Please apply using a Hospice Application Form (included in this pack)
Closing date:
Friday 13 March
Page 1 of 18
St. Columba’s Hospice
VACANCY
St. Columba’s Hospice provides Specialist Palliative
Care to people living with an advanced life threatening disease irrespective of
diagnosis. The community nurse specialist team is an integral part of the
Hospice services and works collaboratively with all health professionals
involved in the care of our patients.
Community Palliative Care
Specialist Nurse
Band 6 £26,041 - £34,876 pro-rata + Pension
20 hours per week over 4 days
As one of the team, you will ensure the provision of the highest standard of
care for patients and their families. You will posses excellent communication
skills, have specialist knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through a
post-registration qualification in palliative care, cancer/oncology or clinically
related subject.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Sr. Lorraine Wilson,
CPC Team Leader on 0131 551 1381.
Download an application pack online at www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk
or email info@stcolumbashospice.org.uk, or call 0131 551 7722
Closing date: Friday 13 March 2014
Page 2 of 18
ST. COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title:
Community Palliative Care Specialist Nurse (Band 6)
Responsible to (insert job title): Team Leader, Community Palliative Care Service
Department(s):
Community Palliative Care Service, St Columba’s Hospice
Job Reference:
SCH-COM-002
No of Job Holders:
5 (4 Full Time Equivalents)
Last Update (insert date):
19 April 2013
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide a comprehensive Specialist Palliative Care service to patients and their carers in
their own homes, offering advice and support to Primary Health Care Teams by working
alongside and in collaboration with them, while maintaining close links with hospital and hospice
staff, and liaising with other agencies as appropriate.
3. DIMENSIONS
The service covers the City of Edinburgh, working with approximately 40… GP practices, which
care for a population of approximately 300,000.
The area is divided into 5 geographical areas, the smallest being covered by the Team Leader.
Within each geographical area, individual caseloads are managed by postholders, who will refer
to other services as required. This is a nurse led service, supported by the hospice
interdisciplinary team. The service provides:
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Specialist support, information and advice for patients in their own homes, residential and
care home settings
Specialist support, information and advice for families and informal carers, including short
term bereavement support.
Specialist Palliative Care advice and support for formal carers (Primary Health Care
teams and other professionals involved in the care of patient and family)
Liaison with other services and agencies to facilitate quality care packages for patients
Education (formal and informal) for patients, carers, other professionals and students of
relevant disciplines
Participation in audit and research as appropriate
Contribution to external and internal working groups as appropriate
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4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Clinical Services Director
CPC Team Leader
CPC Nurse Specialists ( x5)
(this posy)
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
As part of the services offered by St Columba’s Hospice, the Community Palliative Care
Service offers Specialist Palliative Care expertise to sustain and support patients living at
home with advanced progressive illness, also supporting and advising their families,
carers and any professionals involved in their care.
Hospice policies, Health and Safety regulations, and NMC professional code of conduct
will be adhered to at all times.
Page 4 of 18
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
CLINICAL:
1. Assess, plan and record the palliative care needs of each patient when referred to
the service, thereafter continually assessing, planning and evaluating care, making
adjustments as necessary.
2. Provide clinical information for patients, carers and families, affirming and
clarifying information from hospital, giving information about treatments, sharing
bad news and explaining the disease process and implications of prognosis.
3. Offer emotional, spiritual and psychological support to patients, carers and
families, establishing a safe, therapeutic relationship and giving them the
opportunity to explore sensitive issues such as future care, death and dying,
complex family issues, and referring them to other agencies as necessary.
4. Collaborate with the Primary Health Care Team, attending practice meetings
where appropriate, offering specialist advice and support for clinical and
psychological or emotional issues, assisting in planning the care and management
of the patient, This includes addressing difficult issues such as resuscitation in
cases of terminal illness, and assisting the GP to initiate this discussion with
patient and families, negotiating the level of input from the Hospice team, and
facilitating the process of the Gold Standards Framework of Cancer Care, to
ensure an integrated approach to care.
5. Refer patients and carers to, and co-ordinate the care plan with, local and national
services to provide for the patient’s individual needs – such as help with personal
and nursing care, equipment, benefits and practical help, carer support, and legal
issues.
6. Maintain contact with the patient’s hospital consultant and specialist nurse,
exchanging information as appropriate, to establish effective channels of
communication to enhance patient care and maintain continuity.
7. Work within a framework of Clinical Governance, meeting all relevant local,
national and professional standards.
EDUCATION/RESEARCH:
1. Liaise with and assist the Education Department in teaching of students, nursing
colleagues and other professionals. This includes staff training, participation in
teaching on degree level courses, and other formal education initiatives.
2. Provide formal and informal education to Primary Health Care Teams, carers, care
homes and other agencies as a means of improving the quality of patient care and
enhancing the palliative care knowledge of generalists.
3. Actively participate in mentorship and clinical supervision of junior colleagues,
students and other professionals on secondment to the Team, for example GPs,
hospital consultants and other specialists.
4. Actively participate in audit, quality and research projects within and outwith the
Hospice as appropriate, eg: managing in-house audits to provide evidence of
meeting national standards.
5. Be responsible for own continuing professional development.
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MANAGEMENT:
Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by:
1. Acting as lead Specialist Palliative Care nurse advisor to primary health care
teams within the geographical area in which the caseload is operated.
2. Demonstrating a commitment to working within the Community Palliative Care
Team, and the ability to work as part of the Primary Health Care Teams in
managing patient and family care.
3. Establishing effective communication links with colleagues within and outwith the
Hospice.
4. Planning and managing the caseload effectively within working hours, prioritising
workload, working flexibly according to the needs of the service and fulfilling each
aspect of the role.
5. Participating in quality initiatives, standard setting and audit of the service within
the Hospice.
6. Contributing as a specialist practitioner to working groups within the Hospice, eg
Medicines Management Group, Bereavement Group, as a member of the wider
Hospice team.
7. Contributing to external working groups (such as regional strategic planning
groups; palliative care interest groups)to influence practice development and
comment on policy development.
8. Using the Hospice interdisciplinary team as a resource in managing patient care.
9. Acting as a resource for the Hospice interdisciplinary team when planning patient
admissions and discharges and in supporting the patient’s family.
10. Making risk assessments in the home environment and taking relevant steps to
minimise personal risk at all times.
11. Maintaining accurate patient records and making these available to other hospice
team members as required.
12. Providing accurate statistics on a monthly basis, and entering relevant data on the
Hospice IT system.
This job description does not contain an exhaustive list of duties, and the post holder may
be required to undertake other duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities
whenever reasonably instructed. It will be reviewed from time to time in order to adapt
and develop the role according to service needs and Hospice policies.
7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
The postholder must have competent driving skills and a valid driving licence.
The postholder must be competent to use technology such as the Hospice IT system,
and internet.
The postholder will be competent in the safe and efficient use of medical equipment
such as Syringe Drivers, having the dexterity, expertise and required training.
The postholder will also be competent and receive mandatory training in the safe use of
moving and handling equipment such as wheelchairs.
In addition, the postholder will be competent to check and administer medicines by oral,
rectal and subcutaneous routes in order to educate patients and carers, ensuring their
safety and appropriate treatment.
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7b. SYSTEMS
Each postholder is responsible for producing:

Accurate and up to date patient records and documentation in accordance with
national, Hospice and professional standards.

Patient data entered on Hospice computer database.
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Monthly activity data submitted on time.
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Accurate expenses claims.
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Annual Leave requests, Sick Leave documents, Study Leave applications.
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Accountable for:
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Management of own caseload and admitting and discharging patients in
accordance with admission and discharge policies.
Prioritising own workload, to include all aspects of the role.
Cover for colleagues in their absence on leave.
Reporting to the Team Leader for annual appraisal and supervision, and access
to clinical supervision.
Case review with colleagues in the medical team weekly, and ad hoc as required.
Reporting patient care needs to other professionals on an ongoing basis.
Liaison and collaboration with all agencies involved in patient care.
Contribution to the development of the team by participating in in-house and
external initiatives, such as Lothian SIGN 44 Pain Audit and Gold Standards
Framework.
Safe handover to the Hospice Accountant of any donations received from patients
or carers.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
CLINICAL DECISION MAKING:
Without direct supervison:
 Prioritising referrals and assessing patients in order to decide which patients referred
will be admitted to or discharged from the service.
 Assessing and interpretingthe patient’s condition at each visit and taking appropriate
action from a range of clinical options.
 Discussing individual care with GPs and District Nurses , specifically regarding drug
regimes, complex symptom control and care needs.
 Contacting other service agencies as appropriate to initiate provision of equipment
and care to the patient/family in order to minimise risk.
 Facilitating decision making with patient and family, on issues such as choice of
treatments, future care, place of death, resuscitation.
Page 7 of 18
JUDGEMENTS:
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Daily prioritisation of workload in the light of changing demands, eg: in response to
emergencies such as patient’s condition changing rapidly and requiring an immediate
response.
Assessing the patient’s condition at each visit and making this known to the family
and professionals – for example if the patient’s condition is deteriorating and he/she
is now clearly dying.
Contacting hospital consultants direct in the event of a patient requiring urgent
treatment for emergencies such as spinal cord compression, neutropaenia and other
acute needs.
Risk assessment to ensure personal and patient safety and when facing challenging
behaviour.
Problem solving using theory, expertise and specialist knowledge, eg in managing
complex symptoms.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
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Emotional demands of dealing with sensitive, often complex circumstances and
supporting the needs of the terminally ill, dying and bereaved, as well as of those
caring for them.
Prioritising workload in order to fulfil the full remit of the role
Negotiating with professional colleagues whose opinion on patient care may differ
from ones own.
Dealing with complex, challenging family/social situations, eg alcohol/drug related
issues, aggressive behaviour.
Embracing change and developments in palliative care.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The role demands a high level of communication and negotiation skills on a variety of
levels, in order to ensure the highest quality of care. Therapeutic relationships with
patients and families, and effective working relationships with colleagues within and
outside the Hospice are essential in providing specialist palliative care expertise to the
community.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS/RELATIONSHIPS:


Working alongside and supporting colleagues in the Community Palliative Care
Team to ensure a consistent level of service provision
Communication and collaboration with colleagues from Day Hospice, In-patient
Care, Medical Team and all other members of the Hospice team.
EXTERNAL COMMNICATIONS/RELATIONSHIPS:

Working with terminally ill patients and their families to involve and empower then
Page 8 of 18

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in making choices regarding their care, and communicating sensitive conditionrelated information to them..
Working to overcome barriers to understanding – eg: language, culture, and
emotional such as anxiety, denial, difficult family dynamics.
Using tact and persuasion to gain agreement from patients, carers and
professionals in planning and implementing care.
Working with the Primary Health Care Team (particularly GPs and District Nurses)
to negotiate optimum patient care.
Sending information to Unscheduled Care Services
Membership of local working groups (Palliative Link Nurses, Cancer Link Nurses)
Collaboration and networking with colleagues in hospitals – consultants, ward
staff, clinical nurse specialists and palliative care teams – to discuss patient care.
Working alongside colleagues in other palliative care services
Referring to social work and community services for patient care
Accessing other voluntary agencies as appropriate to assist patient care
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE
JOB
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
 A degree of physical fitness is required in order to be able to deal with the manual
handling of patients and equipment as appropriate (see 7a) – transport of patients,
occasional transport of equipment, dealing with patients who have fallen at home,
using equipment in the home if necessary, often in restricted spaces.
 Driving daily, often in adverse conditions.
 Gaining entry to patient’s residences, often in adverse conditions – broken lifts,
hazardous access.
 Manual dexterity, accuracy and sensitivity to handle syringe drivers and other
equipment as detailed in 7a.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
As a sole practitioner, concentration at all times is required in order to:
 - make effective clinical decisions and judgements.
 - address sensitive issues in an appropriate and professional manner.
 - make rapid appropriate decisions in response to an emergency situation or
unpredictable circumstances, eg:patient’s condition changes suddenly.
Additionally:
 Maintaining patient and personal safety by continuous risk assessment
 Prioritising tasks according to the demands of an unpredictable workload
 Maintaining and demonstrating academic and teaching skills
 Developing IT skills
 Assimilating new information on clinical issues, and implementing it to promote
best practice at all times
Page 9 of 18

Maintaining focus in a busy office environment with numerous interruptions, eg: in
working to maintain accurate patient records..
EMOTIONAL DEMANDS:
 Dealing daily with vulnerable patients and families, issues of death, dying and
bereavement, sensitive complex family and social issues. Visits can be lengthy,
requiring considerable mental/emotional stamina and concentration.
 Providing support and assistance to families in a crisis situation, eg, patient’s sole
carer dies unexpectedly..
 Managing challenging behaviour from patients, carers or colleagues.
 Offering support to colleagues, eg reflection meetings with Primary Health Care
Teams.
 Managing personal stress in an appropriate manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
 Daily driving conditions, occasionally difficult and hazardous.
 Hazardous conditions in and around the patient’s home, for example:
 - daily assessment of personal safety issues as a lone worker – such as facing
occasional verbal aggression from relatives.
 - difficult or dangerous access
 - poor hygiene - frequently
 - pets - daily
 - passive smoking- frequently
 - exposure to body fluids
 - manual handling in very confined spaces in the patient’s home
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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a first level nurse registration
a first level degree
at least five year's post registration clinical experience, two of which must have
been in a palliative care, cancer, oncology or related specialty area setting
a post registration qualification in cancer, palliative care or clinically related subject
Evidence of continuing CPD
Desirable to have teaching experience and community nursing experience
Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in collaboration
with a wide range of professionals from all disciplines.
Proven clinical expertise, and the ability to demonstrate sensitivity when working
with vulnerable patients and carers.
Ability to participate in education, audit, research and quality initiatives.
Good presentation skills.
Team player, but able to work unsupervised and demonstrate effective clinical
decision making.
Possession of a full valid UK driving licence and access to a car for work.
Basic IT skills.
Page 10 of 18
ST. COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST:
CPC SPECIALIST NURSE
CRITERIA
Education and
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL




Knowledge and
Experience


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
Skills and
abilities
BAND:




6
DESIRABLE
a first level nurse registration
a first level degree
a post registration qualification in
cancer, palliative care or clinically
related subject
Evidence of continuing CPD

at least five year's post registration
clinical experience, two of which
must have been in a palliative care,
cancer, oncology or related
specialty area setting
Recent clinical experience in caring
for patients requiring specialist
palliative care.
Proven clinical expertise, and the
ability to demonstrate sensitivity
when working with vulnerable
patients and carers.
Political awareness of national
initiatives in palliative care
Awareness of responsibilities and
legislation in providing patient care
– to include record keeping
Up to date knowledge of palliative
care research with evidence of
skills in critical analysis
Working knowledge or awareness
of care pathways for palliative care


Teaching experience
Community nursing
experience
Articulate interpersonal and
presentation skills
Ability to manage a defined
caseload – includes time
management
Ability to be effective as a both a
lone worker and team member
Identifies key issues in change

Teaching (see
qualifications)


Teaching certificate or
demonstrable skills
Counselling skills
certificate (or relevant
experience)
Post graduate
diploma/Masters level
qualification in
palliative care or
similar
Page 11 of 18





management
Evidence of IT skills
Excellent communication skills, and
the ability to work effectively in
collaboration with a wide range of
professionals from all disciplines.
Ability to participate in education,
audit, research and quality
initiatives.
Team player, but able to work
unsupervised and demonstrate
effective clinical decision making.
Ability to work in close
collaboration with a variety of
specialist colleagues across
different organisations
Personal
Qualities
 Is innovative, motivated and
enthusiastic
 Demonstrates insight into own
stressors and coping mechanisms
Other
requirements
 Possession of a full valid UK driving
licence and access to own vehicle
for work purposes.
 Ability to travel throughout Lothian
and on occasion further (Borders,
Fife, East Lothian etc) in order to
fulfil the duties of this community
based post.
Page 12 of 18
SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
TITLE:
Community Palliative Care Specialist Nurse
REPORTING TO:
CPC Team Leader
BASE:
15 Boswall Road, Edinburgh EH5 3RW
JOB STATUS:
Permanent
BAND/SALARY:
Band 6: £26,041 - £34,876 pro-rata to hours worked
HOURS:
Part-time (20 hours per week over 4 days).
PENSION:
Pension schemes in operation. Contribution rates will
vary depending on pensionable pay. Current members
of NHS Superannuation Scheme may remain as
member during Hospice employment.
NOTICE PERIOD:
8 weeks
PAYMENT OF SALARY:
The successful candidate’s salary will be paid monthly
direct into his/her bank/building society account and
he/she will be required to open an account if such facility
is not currently in operation
ANNUAL LEAVE:
27 days per annum on commencement
29 days per annum after 5 years service
33 days per annum after 10 years service
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
8 days per annum
Part-time staff will receive a pro-rata entitlement for
annual leave and public holidays combined.
Reckonable Hospice and NHS service may be credited
for annual leave purposes.
SMOKING POLICY:
There is a ban on smoking in Hospice premises
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS: All appointments are subject to verification of
qualifications, medical assessment, and the receipt of
satisfactory references. This post is subject to the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975
and therefore a Criminal Records check will be required.
All professional care staff will be required to supply their
relevant PVG registration number, and Governing body
registration, which will be verified.
The summary of conditions above is for information purposes only and may be subject to variation. They do not form the basis of a
legal employment contract.
Page 13 of 18
CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATION FORM
Position
applied for:
Community Palliative Care Specialist Nurse
Reference:
Part-time
Please type in black text (or hand write in black ink)
1. PERSONAL
SURNAME
FIRST
NAME(S)
TITLE (Dr/Mr/Ms
etc)
PERMANENT
ADDRESS
POSTCODE
WORK
TELEPHONE
HOME
TELEPHONE
MOBILE TEL.
NATIONAL
INSURANCE
NO.
EMAIL
BLEEP/PAGER
DO YOU HAVE A VALID/
FULL UK DRIVING
LICENCE?
Are you a British subject or a national of any EU country?
If NO, do you have the right to work in the UK and a current work
permit?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
If so, please state the expiry date of your right to work in the UK and/or your work
permit:
2. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
PLACE OF STUDY
SUBJECT / QUALIFICATION
RESULT / GRADE
DATE OBTAINED
(mm/yyyy)
Page 14 of 18
3. TRAINING COURSES ATTENDED
(any relevant training, or work related skills (for example languages, shorthand, etc)
TRAINING
COURSE TITLE/ SUBJECT
DURATION
DATE
PROVIDER
COMPLETED
(mm/yyyy)
4. REGISTRATION TO PRACTISE
(e.g. GMC, NMC, HPC for posts where there is a requirement to be registered with a governing
body)
REGISTRATION TYPE/
REGISTRATION/
EXPIRY/
GOVERNING BODY
STATUS
PIN NUMBER
RENEWAL DATE
Are you currently subject to any investigations or fitness to practise
proceedings by a licensing or regulatory body in the UK or any other
country?
If YES, please provide details with your application
YES
NO
Have you been removed from the register or have conditions been made on your
registration by a fitness to practise committee or the licensing or
regulatory body
YES
in the UK or in any other country?
If YES, please provide details with your application
NO
5. MEMBERSHIP OF MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION/ PROFESSIONAL BODY OR ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP GRADE
MEMBERSHIP
DATE OF ENTRY
MEDICAL DEFENCE
NUMBER/
UNION
STATUS
Page 15 of 18
OTHER
PROFEESIONAL
BODY/ASSOCIATIO
N
MEMBERSHIP GRADE
MEMBERSHIP
NUMBER/
STATUS
DATE OF ENTRY
6. PRESENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYER NAME &
ADDRESS
JOB TITLE
START
DATE
(mm/yyyy)
END DATE
(if
applicable)
WEEKLY
HOURS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SALARY/
GRADE
NOTICE
PERIOD
REASON FOR LEAVING/
SEEKING CHANGE
7. PREVIOUS/OTHER EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
(Please start with most recent. Continue on separate sheet if necessary)
COMPANY/
POST HELD AND
DATE DATE
ORGANISATION
RESPONSIBILITIES/ DUTIES
FRO
TO
M
REASON FOR
LEAVING
Page 16 of 18
8. SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Please provide your reasons for applying for this position and additional information that shows how you
match the person specification. For example, details of your achievements, relevant skills, knowledge,
experience, voluntary activities, positions of responsibility, as well as research, publications, clinical care,
clinical audit (if applicable), awards and language skills. If you believe you have the necessary
experience and skills – make sure you tell us!
Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary
Page 17 of 18
9. REFERENCES
Please give the details of three referees who have consented to be approached and are qualified to
comment on your ability and experience (one should be your current or most recent employer).
1st Referee
2nd Referee
3rd Referee
Name
Position
Organisation
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Email
May this reference be
taken up before interview?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
10. REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974 (EXCEPTIONS ORDER 1975)
Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not entitled to withhold information
about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act i.e. all convictions must be declared. In
the event of employment, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Hospice.
Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to an application for a position to
which the Order applies.
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence, been bound over or
cautioned or are currently the subject of proceedings which might lead
to a conviction, an order binding you over or a caution, in the UK or any
other country?
If YES, please provide details with your application
YES
NO
YES
NO
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme (Disclosure Scotland)
Are you an existing member of the PVG Scheme?
If YES, please state your full membership number:
11. DECLARATION *Please read carefully before signing this declaration.
I understand that any appointment offered is subject to health clearance, confirmation of qualifications and professional
registration, enhanced Disclosure Scotland (criminal records) check, and references, all of which must be deemed satisfactory by
the Hospice. I hereby authorise you to carry out checks on all and any of my qualifications and/or registration from any
establishment or employer and I give my consent to St. Columba’s Hospice processing the data supplied in this application form
for the purpose of recruitment and selection.
I declare that the information I have given in support of my application is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true
and complete. I understand that if it is subsequently discovered that any statement is false or misleading, or that I have
withheld relevant information, my application may be disqualified or if I have already been appointed, I may be
dismissed without notice. This applies equally to any medical questionnaire/forms I may complete.
SIGNED
DATE
Please return your completed and signed application form with any other attachments to:
By post:
By email: info@stcolumbashospice.org.uk
Administration Office,
St. Columba’s Hospice,
TEL: 0131 551 1381
15 Boswall Road, Edinburgh
FAX: 0131 551 2771
EH5 3RW
All information provided will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and
will be used for employment purposes. Information provided may be kept on an electronic or manual
recording system.
Page 18 of 18