Palliative care assistant jobs

The hospice movement and the work done by Dame Cicely Saunders laid the groundwork for the development of specialized palliative care services. At first, palliative care services were intended just for cancer patients and their families. Palliative care is widely acknowledged to be beneficial for patients who are also coping with other disorders that shorten life expectancy. Palliative care is suitable for a large number of residents living in residential aged care facilities (RAC), as well as for certain elderly persons residing in their own homes.

Through years of practice and specialized education, nurses who specialize in palliative care have honed their abilities to provide support and comfort to patients and families dealing with terminal diseases. Specialists in palliative care are nurses who have a high degree of expertise, an education at the postgraduate level, and many years of experience working in the field.

For a number of years, "link nurses" have been used as a means of integrating specialized care into general health settings. The idea has been reworked to focus on training workers in the elderly care industry to provide palliative care. Under the auspices of the Rural Palliative Care Program, the Australian General Practice Network initiated a number of initiatives that encouraged the employment of palliative care link nurses in residential homes for the elderly.

The staff at RAC have access to specialized palliative care teams that they may consult with on the care of residents. In accordance with the requirements of the circumstance, the nurses providing palliative care may either conduct a site visit or give assistance remotely. RAC may hire clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners that specialize in palliative care to fill positions in their organization.

The Functions of Specialist Nurses in Palliative Care

Clinical treatment for patients or clients, as well as emotional and spiritual support for palliative care personnel

Assistance in the form of counseling, advocacy, and support for the individual and their family

maintaining communication with primary care physicians and other health care experts on the delivery of palliative care services

Training for both employees and volunteers

Implementing and analyzing various programs aimed at enhancing palliative care

Enhancing the overall quality of palliative care while also conducting audits

Research