Job title: Clinical Team Lead on the Bedded Unit
What does your job entail?
I am a nurse and I am also responsible for making sure the inpatient unit runs smoothly and that the care we give to patients is outstanding. I work with our Director of Care and other clinical leads in developing services to meet the needs of the local communities. I manage the roster to make sure the unit is adequately staffed to care for our patients. I support the team clinically and professionally and support in developing their knowledge and skills. I work with other clinicians and heads of departments to develop policies, procedures and competencies to maintain staff and patient safety. I am involved in the recruitment of new team members in collaboration with our HR department. I work within the Hospice multi-disciplinary team, working together to ensure people receive the very best from our care. There is a lot more to my role, I could go on and on!
How did you get into the charity sector?
I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2005 in Bristol where I worked on a Surgical Admissions Unit. I moved home to North Devon and then began a post as a Community Nurse in 2010. This was where my passion for palliative and end of life care developed and I realised this was the area of nursing I wanted to focus my career and specialise in. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a community nurse and then an opportunity arose to join the Hospice to Home team at North Devon Hospice. I joined the team in October 2016 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, leaving the NHS after 11 years. It was a big decision to leave the NHS but I can honestly say I have never looked back. I then took the team lead post on the Bedded unit in 2019 where I feel very much at home and it is an honour to be a part of such an amazing team.
What do you enjoy about working at the hospice?
It’s like a little extended work family, everyone is so helpful and friendly. The fact that we have time to spend with patients and their loved ones when they are facing such difficult circumstances is more than any nurse could wish for. Knowing that everyone is working together to make a difference to the lives of people we care for is extremely rewarding.
A fun fact about me that you might not expect
I was a Junior National Champion with Woolacombe Surf Lifesaving Club in my teenage years! With Surf Lifesaving and Swimming club I was always in the water!