ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICEJOB DESCRIPTION - NAMASTE CARE COORDINATOR TOWER HAMLETS

BAND: Band 5

REPORTS TO: Head of Supportive Care

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Care Services

Background to the Namaste Care Service

Namaste Care is an internationally recognised programme using sensory based techniques which provide comfort and support to people with dementia. It is not a medical treatment, the word ‘Namaste’ expresses a wish to ‘honour the spirit within’ and was selected to describe a special way of caring for people with dementia.

The Namaste Care Service in Tower Hamlets is the result of a collaborative venture between St Joseph’s Hospice and Age UK Tower Hamlets to deliver Namaste Care to residents in Tower Hamlets who are in the Last Years of Life and are considered to have dementia. The post holder will be required to work closely with the Project Coordinator at Age UK East London. This coordinator role will include the recruitment, training, selection, support and development of volunteers for St Joseph’s Hospice, Namaste Care Service. This service is aimed at helping people with dementia to live an enhanced quality of life, taking part in meaningful activities and supporting and empowering carers. St Joseph’s Hospice has a long history of working in partnership to deliver successful outcomes for its local population. It has been extending its outreach work to life limiting conditions other than cancer for some time and is now interested in reaching out to people with dementia.

The aims of the Namaste Care Service are to:

provide support and comfort for people with dementia and/or their carers assess the amount and nature of the support needed by the person with

dementia and/or their carers in their own homes provide information and signposting to support that will meet additional

identified needs recruit and train volunteers to deliver Namaste Care to people with

dementia in their own homes

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provide dementia support that is sensitive to the specific cultural, religious and language needs of the diverse local population

Key Working Relationships

The Namaste Care Steering Group; Age UK; Managers and staff working at St Josephs; The International Namaste Care Programme; National and local charities related to dementia and the elderly.

Key relationships with critical stakeholders within the Borough of Tower Hamlets need to be maintained in order to ensure the Namaste Care Service is continually promoted and recognised.

As part of the requirements of the role the Namaste Care Coordinator, in partnership with Age UK East London, the post holder will need to engage on a regular basis with key local stakeholders who provide end of life care services such as Primary Care and GPs, Secondary Care, Community Health Services. It will also include engagement with key community groups, faith leaders, voluntary organisations, social care.

Job Summary:

Coordinate the Namaste Care Service, working with people from varied cultural and religious backgrounds

Recruit, select, train, manage, support and develop the volunteers who will deliver the Namaste Care Service

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide a Namaste Care Serviceo work closely with the Namaste Care Steering Group to continue

develop the Service, making such recommendations as may be needed

o adhere at all times to the stated aims and objectives of the partnership between St Joseph’s Hospice and Age UK East London

o follow the Standing Financial Instructions of the partner organisations and be accountable for the Namaste Care service expenditure against agreed budget

o take day to day responsibility for the administration of the Service, maintaining accurate records and dealing with general correspondence relating to the Service

o record monthly and annual statistics as required in the service specification and contractual obligations

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o prepare and present reports for meetings and the Namaste Care Steering Group and for Age UK which include accurate statistical information and a detailed account of the outcomes and developments within the Namaste Care Service

o publicise and market the Namaste Care Service to promote an awareness of dementia and the Service by working with partner organisations to produce promotional materials for local distribution

Coordinate the Namaste Care Serviceo ensure that working practices and volunteers adhere to CQC

regulationso follow St Joseph’s Hospice policies and procedures for receiving

referrals for the Namaste Care Serviceo contact the referred family/carers to discuss their needs and to

ascertain their suitability for the Namaste Care Serviceo Manage an effective process of information sharing with Age UK

East London, liaising around subjects of new referrals and issues and successes of current volunteer and service user pairings.

o In instances where Namaste Care would not be suitable liaise with Age UK East London and provide recommendations to or make a further referral to a more appropriate agency such as old age psychiatry, social services or local voluntary services

o carry out a risk assessment in the home of all clients accepted as suitable for the Namaste Care Service

o sensitively match volunteers with clients and accompany them to meet each client and their carers

o provide individual training sessions for volunteers in clients own homes as necessary

o review the assessment procedure on a regular basis and alter it accordingly to meet the needs of clients and volunteers

o undertake regular and frequent evaluation and monitoring of the Service to ensure it is meeting desired outcomes and the needs of the clients being referred

o work in collaboration with the St Joseph’s Hospice overall research programme in evaluating the Service

Recruit, select, train, manage, support and develop volunteers for the Namaste Care Service

o Follow St Joseph’s Hospice policies and procedures to recruit, train and support volunteers for the Namaste Care Service

o Recruit, interview and select volunteers for the Service, working with the Voluntary Services Department on an on-going basis

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o Assist with the processing and completion of disclosure and barring checks (DBS) for volunteer applications and to maintain legal and up to date systems, ensuring confidentiality and safety of all department records.

o Organise and run, with key members of hospice staff, the induction and initial training for volunteers and Age UK East London Support Workers as required to meet the diverse needs of the local population

o Arrange training for the Service volunteers and carers on the nature and treatment of dementia and the philosophy and delivery of Namaste Care

o provide on-going training and development for the volunteers as the Service evolves

o provide leadership, management and on-going support and supervision to the Namaste Care Service volunteers both individually and in groups

o personally provide regular supervision for the volunteers both as individuals and in groups as required

o Liaise sensitively with key members of staff about any issues that arise about the deployment or behaviour of volunteers, accidents, other unforeseen difficulties etc.

Personal Developmento take responsibility for own professional development, including

keeping up to date with professional and other developments in dementia and Namaste Care at local, national and international levels

o identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post

o take responsibility for linking own development needs to the Hospice appraisal and objective setting process

o engage in supervision to support personal and professional development

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Comply with and promote St Joseph’s Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients or their families on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, creed, class, gender, sexual orientation or political opinion.

ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE MISSION AND CORE VALUES

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All Hospice staff are expected to work in line with St Joseph’s Mission & Core Values as these precepts act as a value base which directly influences how all work activities are undertaken. The ethos of the Hospice should be apparent in the behaviours and attitudes of all employees as the work they undertake, whether it is direct or indirect care is ultimately for the benefit of patients. The Mission & Core Values are an integral part of all job descriptions, the probationary period and performance and development reviews. (full details are attached)

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ensure a safe working environment and be aware of responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act, taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to patients, clients, staff, volunteers, self or any other person in the work area.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY INCLUDE OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES,

FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH JOB HOLDER AND THEIR MANAGER

Job Description Namaste Care Coordinator July 2015

MISSION STATEMENT OF ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPICE

Our Mission is:

1) To treat each individual as unique

Valuing them without distinction or judgement Respecting their culture Respecting their beliefs – be they religious or otherwise

2) To enable all to reach their full potential until death

Valuing what they have to offer Respecting the autonomy of the individual Encouraging them to participate in their own care, together with

their family and friends

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3) To confront the patient’s pain and distress whether physical, mental, social or spiritual

Through close co-operation between all of the disciplines involved in the care of the patient and family members

4) To encourage openness and honesty when communicating with the patient and family members

By respecting the patient’s wish to question or remain silent By respecting the patient’s confidentiality at all times

5) To create an atmosphere where healing can occur

Through meeting the patient’s needs as a person Through accepting the terminal dimensions of the illness Through a holistic approach of care

6) To show particular concern for staff at all levels

Through consultation and participation in decision making Through staff support

7) To be committed to education, research and an ethical approach to care

Through the work of the Study Centre and Ethics Committee Ensuring that research projects are carried out when deemed appropriate

8) To be committed to the development of palliative care

Throughout the United Kingdom And further afield

9) To participate actively in National Associations

Of the various palliative care disciplines – medical, nursing, social work and chaplaincy

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CORE VALUES OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF CHARITY

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

We respect human dignity when we: Respect the sacredness of life Care for the whole person Demonstrate unity of purpose, while recognising individual

differences Value each person’s contribution Act in a culturally appropriate manner

SERVICE / QUALITY

We provide service when we: Create an environment of welcome and hospitality Promote quality care and excellence Encourage and demonstrate team spirit Recognise the value of individual initiatives and ideas Show an openness to constructive criticism and feedback

CARE OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE / ADVOCACY

We care for the poor and vulnerable when we: Listen attentively to identify unmet needs Respond in a practical way to those in need Collaborate with others to share resources Create access to needed services Provide basic resources for daily living to those in need

COMPASSION

We show compassion when we: Act with understanding and sensitivity Work cooperatively with others Are available to those we serve and to each other Respect and nurture the environment

JUSTICE

We promote justice when we: Act with integrity Respect the rights of others Take responsibility for our actions Preserve resources Provide quality without extravagance Demonstrate fairness in decision making Affirm, celebrate and develop the gifts and talents of each person Model justice in all aspects of business practice

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