APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK. Director of Nursing & Hospice Care

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APPLICANT INFORMATION

PACK

Director of Nursing

& Hospice Care

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MESSAGE FOR APPLICANTS

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in downloading the information for the post of Director of Nursing & Hospice Care at Garden House Hospice, based in Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. Basic information regarding the Hospice is contained within this document, however for additional information about us please visit our websitewww.ghhospice.co.uk. Impending retirements among the senior team mean that we are seeking a Director of Nursing to support the Hospice through its next phase of development. The Director of Nursing is a member of our senior management team, with overall responsibility for the operational management of nursing and palliative care. The postholder will need to show a commitment to the philosophy of the Hospice, ensuring a sensitive and caring approach to palliative care and safeguarding the interests of our patients and their families.

If you are excited by this opportunity we would be delighted to receive your application. Please apply for this vacancy in writing, with your letter of application specifically addressing how you meet the requirements of the job description and person specification. Please enclose a copy of your curriculum vitae with the letter of application. Please also print the Declaration of Interests form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form from the application pack, complete as required, sign and return with your application or, if you are e-mailing your application, as indicated in the section headed ‘How to Apply’.

Details of the schedule for recruitment to this post, including interview dates, are included in the section headed ‘Timetable for Recruitment’ contained in this pack.

Thank you for your interest in this role, and we look forward to hearing from you.

For a confidential and informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Helen Pieri, PA to Hospice Management Team, on 01462 679540 to arrange an appointment for one of the Trustees to call you.

David Heymans Chairman of Trustees

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INFORMATION ABOUT

GARDEN HOUSE HOSPICE

INTRODUCTION

Garden House Hospice provides specialist palliative care for adults with advanced cancer, motor neurone disease or other terminal illness living in Stevenage, North Hertfordshire and adjoining parts of Mid Bedfordshire. Located in Letchworth Garden City and admitting its first patients in June 1990, the Hospice is highly regarded throughout its regional

community for providing high quality end of life care and supporting the relatives and friends of its patients.

The Hospice provides:

· In-Patient Care: A 12 bedded Unit providing specialist palliative care.

· Home Care: “Hospice at Home” nurses provide hands on care in the patient’s home. · Day Services: Specialist day hospice and out–patient care and drop in services. · Education: An education programme open to all healthcare professionals. · A Specialist Palliative Care Advice Line.

· A Family Support Service.

In common with other hospices, Garden House Hospice relies heavily upon its fundraising activities and its volunteers to support its services. In terms of its financial reserves, the Hospice is in a relatively secure position but in the context of its on-going finances, it faces challenges that are common in the hospice sector - only 38% of the Hospice’s £2.8M budget is provided from its contracts with NHS commissioning groups, the remainder being

generated from donations, legacies, a lottery, fundraising events and covenanted profits from its subsidiary’s trading activities. In terms of its human resources, 98 employees are supported by approximately 500 regular volunteers.

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Hospice is registered as “North Herts Hospice Care Association”, a company limited by guarantee (No 2040989) and a registered charity (No 295257), and its Board of Trustees carries the responsibilities associated with this status. The Trustees establish the strategic plan, approve policies and support the executive team in delivering the Hospice’s objectives through a scheme of delegation. Currently a team of three Senior Managers are responsible for the day to day management of the organisation and for ensuring that policies are

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adhered to and plans brought to fruition. The three senior managers are the General Manager, the Medical Director and the Director of Nursing & Hospice Care, all of whom attend meetings of the Trustees.

During the next 8 months, both the General Manager and the Director of Nursing & Hospice Care will retire after many years of service and commitment to our hospice and its

community. It is the Trustees’ intention to retain the model of having a team of three senior managers, but with the titles of Chief Executive, Director of Nursing & Hospice Care, and Medical Director, titles that reflect modern practice and the reality of their responsibilities. Managerially the Director of Nursing & Hospice Care, and the Medical Director, will report to the Chief Executive. All three will continue to attend, and report to, meetings of the Trustees.

Garden House Hospice Trading Limited (No 2671267) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hospice Charity and has six retail outlets in the major population centres in North

Hertfordshire and in Stevenage, and a central distribution warehouse in Letchworth Garden City. It is governed by a non-executive Board of Directors; the General Manager attends that Board meeting and is accountable for the trading performance of the company. It is anticipated that the Chief Executive will become an executive director of the Board. The Trading Company makes a major contribution to fundraising for the Hospice. In the year ended 31 March 2014, on a turnover of £1,350,506, the Trading Company was able to covenant £428,549 to the Charity.

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OUR PHILOSOPHY & VISION

“The ethos of care and compassion was present in all aspects of Y’s care – from

the cleaners to the receptionists, from the flower arrangers to the cooks, from the tea ladies and gentlemen to the Hospice Medical Director, and certainly

throughout all the nursing staff who so skilfully cared for Y on good days and

bad.” From a letter from a relative of a patient

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Garden House Hospice is an organisation based on values. These values are enshrined in the way we offer a quality service providing care for our patients. All who work at Garden House, in whatever capacity, share in the common purposes, to:

· Respect the patient’s wishes.

· Provide relief for patients from pain and other distressing symptoms.

· Help patients to live their lives with dignity as actively and creatively as possible, by bringing together the psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of care, so that they may come to terms with their own death.

· Provide care in a variety of settings, appropriate to the individual needs of each patient.

· Help the patient’s family and loved ones cope during the patient's illness and in bereavement.

· Affirm life and regard death as a normal process, seeking neither to hasten nor to postpone death.

STRATEGIC AIMS

Our strategic aims are to:

1 Ensure that the services we provide are of the highest sustainable quality, responsive to the needs of patients and advances in Hospice Care, and consistent with our values and philosophy.

2 Raise sufficient funds from both statutory and voluntary sources to support our services and maintain adequate financial reserves.

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3 Invest in the training and development of our staff and volunteers, recognising that to achieve the level of care to which we aspire we need a dedicated multi-professional team supported by trained volunteers.

4 Maintain and enhance the excellent relationship which we have established with the community and our supporters in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire.

5 Ensure that all our activities are carried out within an appropriate legal, financial, ethical and administrative framework and that our resources are managed and maintained providently.

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JOB DESCRIPTION &

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Director of Nursing & Hospice Care

Base: Garden House Hospice

Accountable to: The Chief Executive Officer/The Board of Trustees

Responsible for: Senior Sisters, Therapists, Quality and Practice Development Facilitator and Family Support Services Manager

Overall Aim

The post holder shall carry out her/his duties according to the philosophy of the Hospice, acting at all times in such a manner as to justify public trust and confidence, and to safeguard the interests of individual patients and their families.

The post holder is responsible for the operational management of the Hospice in conjunction with the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer.

She/he shall uphold, enhance and promote the good standing and reputation of the nursing profession and, in particular, specialist palliative care, being accountable for her/his

professional practice, according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct.

1 Job Summary

The post holder:

1.1 has direct professional and managerial responsibility for all nursing staff employed by the Hospice

1.2 has managerial responsibility for the Hospice Physiotherapist, Family Support Services Manager, Complementary Therapists and Quality and Practice Development Facilitator

1.3 is responsible for the establishment, promotion and maintenance of high

standards of specialist palliative nursing care, therapy services and family support services for patients and their families referred to Garden House Hospice

1.4 as part of the Hospice Management Team, contributes to the specialist palliative care strategy for the community of North Hertfordshire

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1.5 is the designated “Registered Manager” and is responsible for ensuring the Hospice complies with the National Care Standards Act (2002) Care Quality Commission essential standards of Quality and Safety (2012)

1.6 as a member of the Hospice Management Team liaises with the Clinical Commissioning Group Commissioners

1.7 is the Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs on the National Register and is a member of the Hertfordshire Local Intelligence Network

1.8 As a member of the Hospice Management Team has shared responsibility for: · ensuring that a programme of education is provided for staff and

volunteers

· the Clinical Governance programme within the Hospice

· ensuring that the Hospice building and equipment are appropriate for the needs of patients, families, visitors and staff

· the preparation and implementation of the Hospice Business Plan · formulation and implementation of organisational policies and

procedures

· the establishment of organisational standards and an ongoing programme of audit

· ensuring that arrangements are in place for dealing with emergencies outside normal working hours to ensure the safety of the people and premises at the Hospice and acting as the point of contact and participating in an on-call rota

2 Management The post holder:

2.1 takes overall responsibility for the nursing, physiotherapy, complementary

therapy, family support services and Quality and Education, ensuring that they are managed efficiently and effectively within the budget

2.2 works within the agreed education/training budget, to meet the overall service development of the organisation as well as individual training needs

2.3 attends meetings of the Trustees, reporting on relevant issues, strategy and identified needs of the service as appropriate and liaises with nominated member of Board of Trustees to ensure effective communication and clinical support 2.4 supports the Chief Executive Officer in ensuring the health, safety and welfare of

staff, patients and visitors

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2.6 participates in public relations activities, addressing professional and lay

organisations and actively aims to broaden the knowledge of Hospice care within the community, where appropriate

2.7 maintains good working relations and liaises with Fundraising and the Trading sections of the organisation

2.8 participates in the development of good management practice 2.9 undertakes investigations into complaints, as appropriate

2.10 has responsibility for negotiating Clinical Service Level Agreements with other Healthcare Providers

2.11 has shared responsibility for Information Governance

3 Personnel

The post holder:

3.1 ensures the organisation recruits and appoints the nursing team to maintain nursing establishment at the agreed establishment

3.2 ensures the organisation recruits and appoints other team members responsible to the post holder i.e. Family Support Service, Therapists and Quality and Practice Development Facilitator

3.3 is responsible for the induction of all directly managed staff

3.4 meets regularly with directly managed staff ensuring support in their personal as well as professional capacities

3.5 ensures that records are kept of team activity, including training, sickness and other leave

3.6 ensures that regular staff appraisal and volunteer reviews are carried out in order to optimise the effectiveness and job satisfaction of each individual, in line with the needs of the organisation

3.7 reviews the training and development needs and ensures that these are addressed accordingly

3.8 seeks advice, as appropriate, on current employment law and best Human Resource practice

4. Professional

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4.1 has responsibility for the co-ordination of admissions, referrals and assessment of patients and delegates responsibility to a Senior Sister, as appropriate

4.2 ensures close working relationships with other care agencies to achieve continuity of care and support for patients and their families and carers, wherever their location

4.3 participates in clinical activity and decision making with members of the Hospice team, utilising appropriate external specialist services when appropriate

4.4 attends relevant clinical meetings, including multi-disciplinary team meetings 4.5 represents the hospice at meetings and relevant committees elsewhere 4.6 promotes the concept of integrated specialist palliative care services in North

Hertfordshire working closely with colleagues in Primary Care, the Acute Trusts, nursing homes, the local cancer network and other agencies, liaising as

appropriate

4.7 participates in the development of education programmes and seminars. This includes leading/facilitating roles both in house and externally

4.8 keeps up-to-date and abreast of research and the latest developments in specialist palliative care

4.9 participates in research projects undertaken locally or as part of a multi-centre project

4.10 as a member of HMT ensures that standard setting and audit is undertaken as part of the Hospice Clinical Governance programme.

4.11 ensures all local, statutory and Nursing and Midwifery Council policies and procedures (including Drugs Policy) are available, understood, up-to-date and adhered to

4.12 prepares and implements policies and procedures in line with the Essential Standards of Quality and Safety (2012)

5 Additional Responsibilities

The postholder:

5.1 ensures all staff have regard for the duty of care of information gained during the course of employment that relates to patients, relatives, carers, other employees etc and comply with the requirement of the Data Protection Act

5.2 ensures due regard is given for the health, safety and welfare of patients, visitors and employees and volunteers of the organisation

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These duties are not exhaustive and this job description may change following consultation between the post holder and the Trustees.

Person Specification:

Category Essential Job Requirements Desirable Job

Requirements Method of Testing

Job Related Knowledge

and Skills Ability to demonstrate:§ Leadership and motivational skills § Knowledge of applying

the principles of clinical governance § Teaching and presentation skills § Knowledge of budgetary management and business planning § Excellent verbal and

written communication skills

Knowledge of the regulatory framework for health premises

Application form and interview

Experience Ability to demonstrate: § Working in a palliative

care setting

§ Extensive managerial experience in a multi-disciplinary setting § Working with volunteer

workforce

Application form and interview

Education/Qualifications First level registration Palliative care qualification Relevant nursing degree

Higher Degree Management qualification

Application form

Personal Qualities Commitment to equality of opportunity

Commitment to the Hospice philosophy

Ability to act as an ambassador for Garden House Hospice

Commitment to on-going personal development

Interview

Other Requirements Flexibility in working practice,

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call

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

OF SERVICE

A full contract of employment will be offered to the successful candidate.

SUMMARY OF THE KEY POINTS OF THE CONTRACT

:

Salary: The salary offered to the successful candidate will be comparable to Agenda For Change Grade 8c

Hours of Work: The hours of work are those required to fulfil the requirements of this post and will involve evening and weekend activities

Annual Leave: 35 days per annum, comprising 27 days’ annual leave plus 8 statutory Bank and Public Holidays. The annual leave year runs from 1st_April -31st_March.

Pension: Employees will be auto enrolled into the Hospice Pension Scheme, provided through Standard Life, which requires a deduction from pay of a minimum of 1% of salary each month. The Hospice makes a contribution on your behalf of 4% of salary.

Employees who are currently part of the NHS Pension Scheme will have the option to continue with this.

Full details of the pension options will be provided to successful applicants.

Other Key Points: The person appointed to this post will be required to have a full driving licence and to use his/her car for business travel. Car mileage will be paid for business use.

All appointments to the Hospice are subject to satisfactory medical clearance from the Occupational Health Service. The successful applicant will be asked to complete a health questionnaire, which will be forwarded to Occupational Health.

An enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) disclosure is required at the expense of the Hospice.

Because of the nature of the work concerned, this post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are not entitled to withhold information about any conviction which for other purposes is spent under the provisions of the Act.

Applicants must complete a Declaration of Interests in the form attached. The post holder must keep the Hospice informed of any business interests and potential conflicts of interest. The Trustees reserve the right to review the appointment should a serious conflict of interest occur.

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GARDEN HOUSE HOSPICE

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Name: Position:

I DECLARE that the following information is a true and complete reflection of

potential conflicts of interest and I undertake to update this information as appropriate:

Business interests

Position of authority in a charity or voluntary body in the field of Health or Social Care

Any connection with a voluntary or other body contracting for NHS Services

Any other significant interest

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

The NHHCA is committed to a policy of equal opportunities in employment. We want to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of one of the protected characteristics: on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual. This policy concerns all aspects of the employment of existing staff and potential employees.

To ensure the policy is working we request you complete the details below and return it in sealed envelope addressed to “David Heymans, Chairman of Trustees” and marked ‘Strictly Private & Confidential – addressee only’”. The information will not be made available to the managers involved in the selection process. It will be used solely for monitoring purposes and will be treated as strictly confidential. The information provided will be held on a computer for successful applicants.

Name ………. Application for the post of ………

I would describe my ethnic origin as My Nationality is ……….

(Please tick appropriate box)

My country of birth is ……… White

British £ My sex is (delete as appropriate) Male/Female

Irish £

Any other white background £ My age is (please tick as appropriate)

Mixed Under 18 £

White and Black Caribbean £

White and Black African £ 18 - 25 £ White and Asian £

Any other mixed background £ 26 - 35 £

Asian or Asian British 36 – 45 £

Indian £

Pakistani £ 46 - 55 £

Bangladeshi £

Any other Asian background £ 56 – 65 £

Black or Black British Over 65 £

Caribbean £

African £

Any other black background £

Other Ethnic Groups

Chinese £

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My sexual orientation is

Heterosexual £ Homosexual £ Bisexual £ Transsexual £

My religion is

Christian £ Jewish £ Hindu£ Sikh £ Muslim £ Buddhist £ None £ Other (please specify)

Do you consider that you have a disability? (Delete as appropriate) Yes / No

A disability is defined as “any physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”

Applicants with a disability will be invited for interview, providing they meet the essential criteria for the post applied for.

Please describe your disability, providing details of any reasonable adjustments that would assist you at interview or would be required to enable you to do the job for which you are applying.

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APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK. Director of Nursing & Hospice Care