JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
HEAD OF EDUCATION St B
Department:
The Education Department
Location:
St Barnabas Hospice
Reporting to:
Director of Nursing Services
Job Purpose:
To develop, co-ordinate, implement and evaluate palliative care
education programmes to influence standards of palliative care
in all clinical settings in house and externally.
Direct Reports:
Education Administrator and volunteers
Reference No: 130
Position in Organisation
Director of Nursing Services
(DNS)
Head of Education
Education
Administrator
Contact with others
Internal: The Trustees; Chief Executive; Senior Management Team (SMT) All
departmental staff, Volunteers and Service Users (Patients); The staff & volunteers of
Chestnut Tree House
External: National and local academic vocational nursing and palliative care education
groups; Primary Care Trust (PCT) Sussex Cancer Network (SCN) University of Brighton;
Worthing Hospital - Clinical links, Research Department, Ethics Committee; Clinical
education course members and study day participants, Speakers, Facilitators and
Sponsors; Validating bodies. Students on clinical placements and visits.
Main areas of responsibility
Key Accountabilities &
Tasks
% Importance
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The Professional and
Educational
Development of others
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55%
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Perform a learning needs analysis and respond
with the appropriate planning and delivery of an
identified curriculum, which includes the evaluation
of all educational events as well as relevant audit.
Maintain and develop the annual education
programme both in house and externally, to
include training off site. This includes the degree
and diploma modules, supervising the NVQ
programme in house, study days, afternoons,
courses, community network courses, swap shop,
hospice visits, community & nursing home link
nurse programmes, nursing home education and
student nurse and medical student education and
specific clinical and non clinical in house
mandatory training.
Plan student placements at the hospice in
collaboration with the In Patient Unit and
Community Team
Support the development of clinical supervision, as
an educational advisor and supervisor
Provide leadership through collaboration with the
In Patient Unit and Community Team in order to
develop clinical skills and initiatives to ensure care
is of the highest standard, is evidence based, and
facilitates changes to clinical practice.
Lead complex educational events such as the
complete facilitation of conferences
Supervise students academic work through
classroom study and tutorial support
Act as a mentor for students on ‘non palliative care
modules’
Maintain and develop collaboration with palliative
care lead at local Hospital research department.
Ensure research is incorporated into the education
programme and in collaboration with the Hospice
nurse manager, influences clinical practice.
Promote and demonstrate the development of
appropriate clinical and classroom learning based
on contemporary teaching and learning strategies
as well as alternative methods
Develop educational materials appropriately using
knowledge of computer skills
Promote and develop the educational skills of
others through leadership, demonstration and
support
To ensure own personal and professional
development
March 2005
Managerial & Marketing
Role
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20%
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Advisory Role and
Influence
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15%
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Lead on educational issues acting as a point of
reference for the Trustees and SMT
To manage the Education Administrator and
volunteers that work within the department
Provide reports to the Trustees, CEO, and SMT,
University of Brighton, Sussex Cancer Network
(SCN), Primary Care Trust (PCT) and
Commissioners.
Follow the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC)
Guidelines for the Code of Professional Conduct
and ensure staff adhere to the same principles
To develop and work to a business plan to meet
budgetary targets and maximise resources
To manage the annual educational programme
To seek external funding, sponsorship and grants,
to facilitate the development of professional and
educational development
To manage the resources including the library and
IT system within the department to enable the
optimal use of the facilities
To manage the data in order to promote and
market the annual education programme
To take responsibility for the management of hiring
the education suite for private functions.
To take responsibility for the management of
complex educational events, such as a conference
To take the Hospice lead in meeting the palliative
care training and education identified in the
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Guidance on Supportive and Palliative Care
Maintain accurate records and statistics about
educational activity
Make sure department staff attend all mandatory
training and assist in supervising/managing the
administration of the department appropriately
As a palliative care specialist practitioner act as an
expert information resource both in house and
externally
Maintain and develop a collaborative role: National
Palliative Care Education Group (Help The
Hospices) Hospice Tutors Forum, (Working with
all local Hospices) Institute of Nursing at the
University: (Module Leaders Forum, Course
Board, Exam Board, Participation in Audit: Quality
Assurance Agency) The Medical School, PCT
(Working with PCT Nurse and Community staff)
Hospital Palliative Care Nurses.
To work with the Hospice nurse managers and
clinical staff to promote the importance of
research, standards and audit within the
organisation
March 2005
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Networking &
Communication
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10%
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To maintain and develop excellent communication
and relationship skills in order to raise the profile
of the Hospice Education service nationally,
regionally and locally.
To act as a named person in relation to the
dissemination of information on key governmental
initiatives relevant to palliative care practice.
To promote the appropriate utilisation of ‘user
involvement’ (patients) both within the educational
setting(s)and within the organisation
To maintain and develop links with the Research
Department in the acute setting and to encourage
appropriate research and audit within the
organisation
Maintain and develop key links (as discussed
above) in the specialist and generalist setting, thus
moving training and education forward in order to
enhance practice in all settings
Build on established relationships to develop
greater networks nationally, regionally and locally
to market and promote education and training
Decisions / Recommendations
Operational decisions are made independently.
Decisions are influenced by organisational strategy and objectives and strategic
decisions are made with guidance of the DNS and SMT.
Dimensions and limits of authority / influence
Freedom to act autonomously, limited only by budget and resources, access to support if
needed
Drawing up and controlling the department budget of £63,000, income generation,
including grants, sponsorship and the supervision of person study days, and maintaining
and developing the department resources including the library and IT facilities. Can
request cheques up to £750
The recruitment, professional development and appraisal of staff and volunteers.
Role carries high level of influence internally and externally regarding palliative care
education, training and standards.
Allocation / checking of work
Allocation within the department to colleagues where appropriate, education
administrator and volunteers.
Work is appraised by DNS and evaluated by users, audited by University: and a degree
of appraisal by Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI)
Physical effort
Manual handling of chairs and tables to prepare the environment for teaching sessions –
limited support available if needed.
Taking technical equipment and teaching materials off site to support teaching sessions
in the community.
Considerable handling of large quantities of literature/books and paperwork.
Workstation, personal computer, visual display unit, and keyboard usage.
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Working conditions / environment
Working environment accessible for others to contact and visit the Education office.
Limited ‘ quiet space’ available for specific duties such as assignment marking, but there
is the ability to exclude noise to prevent most interruptions.
Easy access to Education suite, telephone, IT facilities, library, photocopier and faxs.
Subjected to emotional, sensitive, confidential issues and ethical issues.
Qualifications, skills and knowledge required
Qualifications / Experience
 RGN + extensive nursing experience
 Minimum 3 years palliative care experience, at least 1 year in specialist practice
 Masters Degree (Health or Social Care), or working towards.
 PGCEA - Teaching qualification (or working towards)
Skills
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Well-developed public speaking and presentation skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and motivate
Demonstrates leadership and management qualities.
Demonstrates insight into multi-professional and team working.
Ability to instigate collaborative working between internal and external bodies
Ability to share knowledge with others to develop and influence practice.
Able to contribute to and undertake research programmes / studies
Ability to identify developmental potential in others
Able to confidently communicate to a wide range of people and with sensitivity.
Strong organisation skills able to manage tasks simultaneously.
Able to work effectively in ambiguity and to respond positively to change
Results orientated with business acumen.
Able to deliver on deadlines, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Able to interpret, produce and analyse financial data.
Numerate with IT proficiency in presentation software, word processing,
spreadsheets & database knowledge
To be professional and credible when representing the Hospice.
Full driving licence desirable
Personal grief resolved sufficiently to perform and cope in palliative care setting.
Knowledge
 Extensive knowledge of generalist and specialist palliative care issues and the
relevant political contexts
 Extensive knowledge of educational issues
 Knowledge and experience of research issues
 Knowledge and experience of standards and audit knowledge of clinical
governance
 Knowledge of reflective practice and clinical supervision and able to demonstrate
self-awareness and well developed coping strategies
 Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector
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OTHER DUTIES
To undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required
from time to time, at the direction of your line manager.
ASSISTANCE
The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers. If a
volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility for
the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of
completion.
You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your
responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or
your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives,
staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.
DATA PROTECTION
You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and
follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard
confidential information.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
You are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by your acts or omissions and you should ensure that
statutory regulations, policies, codes of practice and safety and good house-keeping
rules are adhered to, attending safety and fire lectures as required.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This Job Description is not intended to be restrictive and should be taken as the
current representation of the nature of the duties involved in your job and needs to
be flexible to cope with the changing needs of the job and the Hospice.
AGREEMENT
Senior Manager’s name
Signature
Job Holder’s name
Signature
DATE AGREED
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