Nursing Student - Palliative Care Mentorship

Position: Nursing Student – Education Position

Status: Temporary Part-Time (Academic Year Placement)

Location: Windsor or Erie Shores

Reports to: Manager, Hospice Residence

Founded to provide compassionate, clinical, end-of-life care, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. (Hospice) has been caring for our community since 1979. Hospice believes in equitable access to care for all. We provide specialized wrap-around services to adults, children, and their caregivers, in the setting of their choice – whether it be in our Residences or in their home.

With only partial government funding, it has been through the generous support of our volunteers and our community that we have continued to provide memorable care, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.

The Nursing Student is dedicated to Hospice’s vision, mission, and values. They support and work towards achieving the strategic directions set out by the Board of Directors. They put their best efforts forward to promote the interests of our patients as well as contribute to a positive work culture.

The Nursing Student participates in a structured mentorship experience focused on end-of-life care, with an emphasis on enhancing clinical skills, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Student works alongside a Hospice staff nurse to enhance and apply school-based knowledge to real-life patient scenarios, and learn practical skills for working in a palliative care environment.

The schedule is flexible, based on the Student’s availability. They will be scheduled 8-12hr shifts on a part-time basis with a total compensation of $10,000 for the academic year.

Through this nursing mentorship, the Student will focus on the following learning objectives:

• Strengthen critical thinking
• Embrace collaboration and teamwork
• Become comfortable engaging in goals of care conversations
• Enhance knowledge to assess and manage pain and other symptoms for individuals with a life-limiting illness
• Identify common symptoms of disease progression and the end-of-life process

• Complete accurate assessments for pain and other symptoms at end-of-life using evidence informed screening tools such as OPQRSTUV, ESAS, and PPS.
• Establish understanding of pharmacological and non-pharmacological symptom management under supervision.
• Demonstrate understanding of best practices in medication administration, including indications and side effects for commonly used palliative medications.
• Promote equity and inclusivity with any person including vulnerable, marginalized or underserviced populations.
• Communicate effectively with cultural sensitivity across diverse populations.
• Document care accurately in Cerner and participate in shift handoffs.

• Work collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary team and demonstrate understanding of team roles.
• Demonstrate accountability and responsibility in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate high emotional stability, continuous positivity and professionalism in their interactions with staff, patients and families.
• Participate in employee engagement initiatives and provide feedback to contribute to program development and quality improvement projects.

NOTE:

This position profile is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

• Maintain a reflective journal documenting learning experiences throughout the placement.
• Develop three (3) SMART goals and review progress regularly with the Residence Manager.
• Deliver one (1) educational session…