Kidney Supportive Care Nurse (KSC Nurse) at Africa Healthcare Network

Delivery of best practice standard KSC

• Lead on implementation of evidence based KSC clinical practices, standards, policies and protocols in accordance with global guidelines, as well as country and AHN guidelines, processes and procedures
• Work with KSC Program Lead, CMO, KSC Regional Nurses, and KSC Clinic Leads to organize, enhance, and implement key KSC program level implementation projects and strategic plans in routine clinical care of patients
• Schedule mandatory visits to all AHN regionally specific centres within the month to every 6 weeks based on availability and needs of centres
• Work with consulting Nephrologist to ensure advanced care planning and shared decision making is prioritized during their scheduled their visits to centres
• With a KSC focus, support the Nursing, Nutritional and Clinical functions in providing holistic supportive care to patients
• Ongoing support of current KSC Clinic Leads through weekly team meetings, documentation, case management, WhatsApp reporting and clinical e-mails from the centers
• Lead on initial assessments and onboarding all new patients into the KSC Program at AHN through a thorough supportive care assessment and the creation of an individualized care plan which will be reviewed at the scheduled multidisciplinary meetings and actions implemented.
• Ensuring holistic case management through following care plans and monthly KSC assessments using ESAS-Renal and APCA-POS of all patients and families.
• Plan and review of patient supportive care plan, including advanced care planning and shared decision making
• Ensure the center activity outputs for KSC related to regular symptom assessment andfamily meetings are maintained as per schedule
• Engage with all staff during in person session and interacting within centre clinical meetings, advocating for KSC for all patients and families with supportive care needs

Education and Research:

• Involve in the active clinical teaching of KSC and / or mentoring of Nurses, Clinical Officers, Medical Officers, and Nutritionists as scheduled
• Work with KSC Program Lead in recruitment of KSC Clinic Leads at the clinic level and empower /mentor KSC Clinic Leads to roll out KSC activities including Pain and
• Symptom assessment, documentation, advanced care planning and shared decision making through Family meetings
• Active involvement in the AHN Nephrology Fireside Chats (nephrology educational webinars) as needed
• Active involvement in propagating research of any sort and encouraging junior staff into the field related to local, regional and global KSC / Palliative Care standards of care.
• Actively involved in organizing for members to take part in national and international conferences with a focus on KSC.

Compliance and Controls

• Ensure compliance with Kenyan nursing regulations. Assist to identify and/or implement new and/or changing regulatory requirements.
• Internal and External Stakeholder Management
• Support the positive collaboration and working relationship AHN and KSC stakeholders in Kenya, East Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, including consultants, partner hospitals, Ministry of Health, National Associations of Palliative Care (KEHPCA), SHA/NHIF, KHF and other stakeholders in respect of clinical standards of KSC and service delivery.
• Represent AHN as a KSC Nurse in partner hospital activities including streamlining existing processes, attending meetings, CMEs, knowledge sharing, etc

Leadership and Administration

• Support and empower KSC Clinic Leads at the clinic level in terms of case management, timely and professional follow up visits, thorough and accurate documentation and overall implementation of KSC for patients and families
• Work with KSC Program Lead in coordination of regular meetings and trainings with team members and provide training, feedback and mentoring on KSC
• Contribute to creating a work environment that is marked with care, honesty, accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

Desired Competencies:

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing
• Higher diploma in Palliative Care
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in Palliative or Supportive Care, with increasing levels of responsibilityand leadership.
• Any experience in the Healthcare sector or in a fast-paced start-up environment will be an added advantage.
• Dialysis clinical experience, preferred
• Active nurse practicing license required
• Experienced practicing nurse with an in-depth understanding of palliative and supportive care in limited resource settings
• Ability to lead and motivate others, with strong influencing, and negotiation skills.
• The highest level of interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
• Ability to travel 50-75 %