Discovery Health 

Registered Nurse - Palliative

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Discovery Healthcare Services

 DHCS consists of six teams that are supported by dedicated Shared Services, Finances and DHCS Business Support teams. The teams under DHCS are:

• Executive Wellness
• Corporate Wellness
• Health Coaches
• Southern Rx Pharmacy and Discovery Medical Suppliers
• Home Care
• Corporate Clinics

Through its teams, DHCS aims to:

• Provide quality care by bridging the gaps in the current market with high quality services
• Enhance the member journey through convenience, reduced co-payments and lessening the administrative burden
• Realise scheme savings by identifying the opportunities to expand through supply chain and capture value through better procurement and eliminating waste
• Brand differentiation by providing members with innovative services that leverage the latest health technology

Key purpose

The Palliative Nurse will play a key role in the care and co-ordination of Discovery Health members in the palliative stage of care. The Palliative Nurse will be expected to manage patients as defined by the World Health Organisation in their home environment, “Palliative Care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering, the early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual”.

Key Outputs

The successful applicant will be responsible for but not limited to the following job functions:

Purpose:

To enhance the quality of life for patients through compassionate, patient-centred, and holistic care.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Deliver comprehensive assessments and facilitate effective pain management.
• Apply knowledge of pain relief principles and monitor for treatment side effects.
• Administer medications, including the use of syringe drivers and IV therapies.
• Manage a range of physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, cough, dyspnoea, delirium, dementia, and malodorous wounds.
• Provide care during the terminal phase, ensuring comfort and dignity.
• Assess and support psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and families.
• Empower and guide families throughout the patient’s illness and bereavement process.
• Navigate ethical challenges in end-of-life care with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Collaborate effectively with the multidisciplinary team to coordinate patient care.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of care provided.
• Deliver hands-on nursing care when required.
• Educate patients and families to support informed decision-making.
• Advocate for care practices that uphold the principles of palliative care.
• Conduct thorough assessments to relieve pain and distressing symptoms, including vital sign monitoring.
• Perform clinical procedures such as injections, syringe driver setup, IV cannulation, and bowel management (manual evacuation, suppositories, enemas).
• Maintain skin integrity through pressure area care and appropriate wound dressings.
• Assist in the organization and management of medication regimens.
• Ensure accurate documentation of care and patient visits.
• Communicate patient needs and concerns within the multidisciplinary team, including doctors and social workers.
• Uphold the philosophy that life is to be affirmed and death is a natural process.
• Provide care that neither hastens nor delays death.
• Integrate psychological and spiritual aspects into patient care.
• Support patients to live as actively and meaningfully as possible until death.

Competencies

Ability to work independently

• Being able to work effectively within a team as well
• Excellent communication skills with an ability of being able to break bad news constructively
• Resilient and flexible
• Industry knowledge
• Ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders
• Caring and compassionate
• Professional
• Ability to follow instructions as well as effectively communicating instructions
• Dedicated to the best interest of the patient
• Patient Advocacy
• Conscientious
• Reliable and responsive.

Experience, qualifications, and mandatory requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree/ Diploma in Nursing
• Minimum 5-day Introduction to palliative Care training
• Minimum 6-12 months palliative experience
• Must be registered with HPCSA and practicing
• Computer literate
• Valid driver’s license with own transport

Advantageous

• Specialty in Pain management
• Flexible availability
• Experience in Home Based Care
• Counselling skills

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.