End of Life Support Assistant (Band 4)

Job overview

The successful applicant will work as part of the Palliative Care Team supporting patients who are in the last hours to days of life as well as their loved ones, helping the ward teams to deliver holistic individualised care.  The post holder will offer bereavement support/signposting  to families and loved ones.  The end of life support assistant will aid the team to develop services and improve quality of care for those in the last days of life.

Main duties of the job

To work with ward teams to complete and implement holistic, individualised plans of care for all patients who are in the last days/hours of life.

To be able to identify signs and symptoms of distress, including pain, breathlessness, agitation, secretions, spiritual or psychological anguish and liaise with ward staff.

To assist ward teams to provide basic personal care of patient in last days of life when needed, including mouth care, positional changes, comfort and dignity care and assistance with diet and fluids.

Provide family members/significant others with spiritual, psychological, emotional and practical support.

Collaborate and communicate with the palliative care and ward teams to ensure the provision of appropriate services to maximise the quality of care of the dying patient and their families/friends.

communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and staff.

Act as patient advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.

Assist the Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop education and information resources for the public and other professionals.

Act as a resource to ward staff, advising on resources available to support end of life care. Participate in data audit activity

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY  DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY -

To work with ward teams to complete and implement holistic, individualised plans of care for all patients who are in the last days/hours of life

To be with dying patients who would otherwise be on their own, providing emotional support, a calm and peaceful environment and allowing the patient time to talk if they wish/able

To be able to identify signs and symptoms of distress, including pain, breathlessness, agitation, secretions, spiritual or psychological anguish and liaise with ward staff

To assist ward teams to provide basic personal care of patient in last days of life when needed, including mouth care, positional changes, comfort and dignity care and assistance with diet and fluids.

To support those people identified as important by patients at the end of life i.e. family members/significant other. Build a trusting relationship enabling you to provide pre and post bereavement care

Provide family members/significant others with spiritual, psychological, emotional and practical support

Work autonomously and proactively to identify and support the provision of the patient’s needs, utilising basic clinical and administrative knowledge.

Collaborate and communicate with the palliative care and ward teams to ensure the provision of appropriate services to maximise the quality of care of the dying patient and their families/friends

Actively participate in the provision of routine information, support and advice, for patients and carers either over the telephone or face to face, liaising with the palliative care and ward teams as appropriate.

Document and monitor all aspects of patient care coordination and service delivery, supporting data collection for audit.

Triage incoming/outgoing calls with families and initiate appropriate response according to protocols and individual pathways, liaising with the palliative care team as appropriate.

Utilise excellent communication skills, clinical awareness and appropriate tools/procedures, to ensure efficient case management.

Act as patient advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.

Refer complex clinical decisions to the Clinical Nurse Specialists for assessment and review. Assist in delivering education and support to staff, patients and carers regarding services, equipment etc. as required.

Assist the Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop education and information resources for the public and other professionals.

Assist the Clinical Nurse Specialists to deliver training

Utilise Information Technology to enter, document and monitor all aspects of patient care needs and service delivery.

Take responsibility for the maintenance of accurate paper and electronic information resources, ensuring confidentiality.

Work as an effective team member, providing support to other members as required.

Act as a resource to ward staff, advising on resources available to support end of life care. Participate in data audit activity

Promote patient/user involvement relating to the provision of end of life care

In pursuing these duties the post holder will ensure compliance with the NHS Constitution and be familiar with the NHS England Guidance ‘Understanding the new NHS’.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS -

Use developed interpersonal and communication skills to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and staff.

Provide routine advice and information to people affected by dying patients.

Communicate effectively with the wider Health Care Team to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery. Liaise with other Health, Social Care professionals, to ensure the provision of a quality service for people at the end of life and their families.

Discuss support options with the patient and their carer, with sensitivity. Liaise with and keep CNS informed of outcomes.

Act as patient advocate.

Document appropriately all information regarding patients and their care, adhering to documentation standards.

Effectively utilise a computer and various software applications in order to enter and maintain patient data, communicate with the team, and complete other IT tasks as required by the post, including data input to System One.