Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
The closing date is 21 August 2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Palliative Care Team at Bedford Hospital for the post of Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist for Palliative Care. The post holder will need to demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and effective communication skills, which are essential for the role.
A developmental post, with strict criteria, will be considered at Band 6 in the first instance.
A full developmental plan will be actioned, which will include set competencies that will be discussed with you in detail if successful. These will need to be met in order to deliver the following aspects of a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist role:
To provide specialist palliative care advice and education to patients, relatives, carers, and other healthcare professionals within the hospital setting.
We would love to hear from applicants who can demonstrate a passion for supporting and driving this service forward, within a team whose core principles are to ensure high standards in the promotion of the best patient experience and quality outcomes.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will autonomously manage a nurse-led caseload in accordance with agreed protocols, utilising advanced clinical skills to assess and treat a range of conditions, including both malignant and non-malignant life-limiting illnesses.
They will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues across multiple specialties, including Oncology, Palliative Care, Emergency Department (ED), Acute Medicine, Radiology, and Pathology, to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care.
Responsibilities will also include:
The development and implementation of clinical guidelines
Active participation in audit processes
Contribution to education and training programmes for healthcare professional
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will practice advanced clinical skills in consultation with the Consultant in Palliative Medicine where appropriate. This includes, but is not limited to:
Conducting assessment and providing advice regarding pain and symptom control
Offering guidance on the titration of drug dosages
Leading nurse-led consultations with patients and their carers as part of their own caseload
Providing advice, support, education, and counselling to patients, their relatives, and carers, both in person and via telephone
Liaising with community nurses, practice nurses, and GPs regarding the management of patients in the community, including the monitoring of appropriate medication
Collaborating with and referring to the multidisciplinary team, and attending or initiating case conferences as required
Offering emotional support and clinical advice during distressing circumstances, such as breaking the news of a terminal illness or providing support through bereavement
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Evidence of relevant and recent continuing professional development
* Teaching and Assessing Qualification
* Psychological Skills Training Level 2
* Educated to degree level in relevant field
* Non-Medical Prescribing ( or willing to undertake)
* Substantial clinical experience in an acute setting
* Experience of teaching and assessing in the clinical area
* Experience of developing and undertaking audit
Knowledge
* Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policy relating to specialist area
* Ability to develop protocols and guidelines within own speciality
* Knowledge of risk management, clinical governance and audit
Skills
* Organisational skills
* Ability to present information to professional groups
* Effective interpersonal and communication skills
* Ability to perform assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care
* Autonomous working and management of a nurse led caseload
* Ability to adapt to change in working situations
* Ability to priotise patient caseload and ensuring the care is patient focussed
* Teaching and mentoring experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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