Palliative care professionals work with individuals and families experiencing a terminal illness, improving their quality rather than quantity of life. Palliative care professionals may include doctors, nurses, physical therapists and nutritionist.
Palliative care is usually a multidisciplinary approach and healthcare professionals are often required to interact with other specialties and departments including oncology, General Practitioners, ICU, pharmacy, social workers, and aged care. Healthcare professionals working in palliative care may find themselves working as part of a team or working alone but the role often involves coordinating care.
Palliative care has many different responsibilities and work is in a variety of settings and locations including private homes, aged care homes, and hospitals.
Palliative care patients can be of any age and background. Care may commence from the time of diagnosis or at any stage during a serious incurable illness and can be given alongside other treatments.
Healthcare professionals, especially palliative care nurses, may be required to work irregular hours according to the needs of their patient. This can involve working weekends, nights and extended shifts in order to provide continuity of care, particularly as patients near the end of their life.
Palliative care is not just about relieving pain and administering direct care, the patient’s emotional and spiritual needs are also important along with those of their family so care can also involve counselling and providing information and referrals. Healthcare professionals may also continue to provide support to the family after the patient has died.
Working in palliative care mans that healthcare professionals are regularly facing loss and tragedy and as such, palliative care can be emotionally draining. It is recommended care staff find a neutral person to debrief with on a regular basis, perhaps a counsellor.
Healthcare professionals currently working in palliative care say they get satisfaction from being able to make a difference at one of the most important stages of a patient’s journey. Those thinking of working in this area should be compassionate, have empathy and good communication skills, and have a holistic approach to providing care.
All levels of nursing – AIN, EN and RN – are involved in palliative care. Entry into this discipline can be as a new graduate through employment with a palliative care agency or through a short course or post-graduate course for those already working in nursing.
In Australia, nurses working in palliative care can apply to become a member of Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) which aims to provide leadership, representation and professional support for nurses.
Australia also has a national peak body for palliative care with member organisations in each state which represents those working towards high quality care for Australians. The PCA was launched in 1998 and provides information for patients as well as healthcare professionals working in palliative care.
if you’re interested in working in palliative care, please browse our selection of medical jobs. We have a range of career opportunities available in Australia’s most respected facilities.