Staff Nurse

Weldmar Hospicecare; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000

Job description

Job Summary

If you're looking for a nursing role that allows you to really make a difference by spending time with patients and their loved ones, this is an opportunity for you.

With an attractive nurse to patient ratio, we provide high quality, person centered care, and we're looking for an enthusiastic nurse, who is caring and a good team player, to become part of our dedicated and supportive team based at our beautiful Inpatient Unit in Dorchester.

Our Inpatient Unit is a 12 bedded palliative care unit caring for patients in the last year of life. The unit has a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care with an emphasis on providing high standards of care.

You’ll benefit from extensive in-house training and development, and career progression opportunities. There are subsidised meals in our Orangery restaurant, and even free parking. A free counselling service is also available for all staff as well as a range of other support services.

This could be an opportunity to develop your career with a move into palliative care.

Additional annual leave accrued at previous NHS or hospice employment will be taken into account, by Weldmar Hospicecare when calculating your annual leave entitlement. If you already pay into the NHS pension Scheme you can continue to do so during your employment with us.

Main duties of the job

1. To be an effective part of the Nursing Team within our Inpatient Unit.
2. To ensure the provision of a high level of specialist palliative care within a multidisciplinary approach, for patients and their family/carers.
3. To support the principles of team nursing, and oversee the work of junior staff.
4. To actively participate in Clinical Governance programme.
5. The Staff Nurse will take overall responsibility for the management of the unit, to act as nominated Fire Officer and supervise the staff team in the absence of the Sister (c.2-3 shifts a week).
6. To performance review up to 2 Health Care Assistants.

About Us

Rated Outstanding by the CQC, Weldmar Hospicecare provides specialist care to adults in Dorset with a life limiting illness, and support to their loved ones. This care is given in the comfort of patients own homes, in the community, and at our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester. All care is provided free of charge and mainly funded by the continued support of our local community, via fundraising initiatives and events, our retail chain, and gifts left in wills, enabling us to raise the £26,000 we need every day to keep our services going.

Date posted: 04 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £29,545 to £35,964 a year Evening and weekend enhancements payable
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: B0149-25-0000
Job locations: Herringston Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2SL

Job Description

Job responsibilities

1. Responsible and accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual care for the patient/carer on a day-to-day basis; referring to the sister as and when required.
2. Contribute to the supervision of junior/new members of staff in conjunction with the sister.
3. Maintain a skilled nursing presence to facilitate a team approach to nursing intervention and multi-disciplinary team working.
4. Ensure adherence to all Hospice policies & procedures.
5. Work closely with the Sisters to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participate in the audit of clinical care.
6. Promote a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff, adhering to health and safety standards and infection prevention procedures.
7. Maintain quality of care by organizing self and others, in assessing, planning, implementing and accurately documenting care, in accordance with the hospice philosophy.
8. Act as patient advocate.
9. Attend monthly nurse team meetings for updating of all aspects of clinical and Organisation information and for support of colleagues.
10. Participate in clinical governance and other corporate change projects as delegated.

Person Specification
Qualifications Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Drug Administration
• Some knowledge of, and genuine interest in palliative care
• Requirement to register and maintain registration with NMC
• IV Drug Administration
• Working towards post registration qualification in Palliative Care
• Willingness to work towards Diploma / Degree
• Knowledge of local and national initiatives and trends in health care

Experience Essential

• At least one year post RN qualification experience, ideally including experience within a relevant field.
• Experience of working within more than one health care field.

Skills and Attributes Essential

• Ability to practice as a proficient practitioner
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to provide non-judgemental and empathic emotional support to patients whilst maintaining safe and appropriate boundaries
• Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care
• Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
• Understanding of team nursing
• Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality
• Flexible approach to working arrangements
• Knowledge of clinical audit
• Understanding of hospice philosophy and the structure and nature of specialist palliative care services
• IT skills
• Ability to supervise, lead and support the work of other staff
• Confidence and skills to manage the unit in the absence of a Sister
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Able judgement to know which decisions need to be referred on to a senior colleague during their absence
• Evidence of an area of special interest
• Good communication skills, including listening, negotiating skills, communication of ideas and ability to provide advice to other health professionals.
• Ability to have overall vision of the ward to enable planning and prioritization of care

Other Requirements:

• An Enhanced plus barred list Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of Weldmar Hospicecare.
• Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Charity.
• Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity and how this translates into good practice.
• Commitment to own continued professional and personal development.

Employer details
Employer name: Weldmar Hospicecare
Address: Herringston Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2SL
Employer's website: https://www.weld-hospice.org.uk/