Job summary
The Palliative Care Discharge Support Nurse will provide a high-quality, patient-centred service within Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust Specialist Palliative Care Team, supporting patients with complex palliative care needs regardless of diagnosis. As an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the postholder will contribute to the coordination of specialist palliative care discharges across the Trust, ensuring seamless transitions between hospital, community, and primary care services.
Key responsibilities include coordinating multidisciplinary team (MDT) input to facilitate safe, timely, and holistic discharges; providing guidance and signposting to appropriate services for patients, families, and caregivers; and actively promoting and disseminating best practice through liaison with patients, carers, and MDTs. The role requires exceptional communication skills across diverse patient populations and the effective utilisation of multiple resources including IT systems, professional networks, and clinical guidance to ensure optimal discharge planning and continuity of care.
Main duties of the job
1. Expert Clinical Practice
* Liaise directly with key stakeholders across all health and social care settings to ensure continuity of patient care.
* Ensure patients and families/carers receive appropriate oral and written information regarding planned care.
* Work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team to develop and improve service delivery.
* Build effective relationships with other departments, regional and national organisations to ensure coordinated care.
* Contribute to the development of integrated care pathways (ICP) in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
* Continuing Healthcare and Care Planning Responsibilities:
o Take a lead on the assessment and completion of Fast Track Continuing Healthcare (CHC) applications for palliative and end of life care patients and liaise with CHC teams to secure funding and carers for patients.
o Complete and update Universal Care Plans, ensuring documentation is accurate and up to date.
2. Education
* Ensure the health education needs of patients and their families/carers are met, escalating to MDT support if required.
* Develop personal knowledge, skills, and expertise to a higher academic and clinical standard.
3. Research and Audit
* Maintain awareness of the value of quality research in improving patient care.
* Use up-to-date research and evidence to inform patient care and disseminate knowledge across the MDT.
* Be aware of ongoing research within the specialist area.
About us
Development and staff wellbeing
Your growth and personal happiness matters to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development with a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.
To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, regular wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.
We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly "shoutouts" and patient feedback, monthly and staff awards.
Our Trust values
These words are important reminders, but it's our behaviours that tell people who we are. We expect all colleagues to bring values to life in their work.
* Compassionate
* Inclusive
* Collaborative
* Inspiring
Details
Date posted
10 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£44,485 to £52,521 a year Per annum INC of HCAS (pro-rata)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
GO-PB-RMD
Job locations
Kingston hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 7QB
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more and person specification information about the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more and person specification information about the role.
Person Specification
Education/qualifications
Essential
* Registration to the appropriate professional governing body
* Minimum of 2 years post registration experience
Desirable
* Post-registration qualification in palliative care of other relevant training
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working at Band 6 level
Desirable
* Experience of collaborative practice and community working
* Experience of clinical governance
Skills/Abilities
Essential
* Ability to work on own initiative, independently and as part of a team
* Ability to foster positive relationships
* Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
* Good teaching and presentation skills
Desirable
* Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships
Knowledge
Essential
* Audit awareness
* Evidence of continuous personal, professional and academic development
Personal capabilities
Essential
* Calm, objective and resilient
* Assertive, confident, and approachable
* Demonstrates enthusiasm
* Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
Person Specification
Education/qualifications
Essential
* Registration to the appropriate professional governing body
* Minimum of 2 years post registration experience
Desirable
* Post-registration qualification in palliative care of other relevant training
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working at Band 6 level
Desirable
* Experience of collaborative practice and community working
* Experience of clinical governance
Skills/Abilities
Essential
* Ability to work on own initiative, independently and as part of a team
* Ability to foster positive relationships
* Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
* Good teaching and presentation skills
Desirable
* Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships
Knowledge
Essential
* Audit awareness
* Evidence of continuous personal, professional and academic development
Personal capabilities
Essential
* Calm, objective and resilient
* Assertive, confident, and approachable
* Demonstrates enthusiasm
* Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kingston hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 7QB
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kingston hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 7QB
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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