Role Overview
The post holder will work as part of the wider specialist palliative care team and, with support from senior colleagues, will be responsible for providing specialist/complex advice and support to all members of the multi‑professional team caring for patients with a life‑limiting disease who are experiencing symptoms that require specialist palliative care. The post holder will learn how to triage and prioritise appropriately according to patient needs, manage a caseload of patients, apply and revise individualised plans of care, develop advanced communication skills to support this multifaceted group of patients and those important to them, and will be supported and developed to work autonomously as part of a seven‑day, face‑to‑face service. Shadowing more senior colleagues will continue until competent and confident to work independently.
Responsibilities
* Provide specialist/complex advice and support to all members of the multi‑professional team caring for patients with a life‑limiting disease.
* Triage and prioritise patients according to their needs.
* Manage a caseload of patients.
* Apply and revise individualised plans of care.
* Develop advanced communication skills to support patients and their families.
* Work autonomously as part of a seven‑day, face‑to‑face service.
* Shadow senior colleagues until competent and confident to work independently.
Team
The role is part of a respected team within the Trust that includes Consultants in Palliative Medicine, Clinical and Associate Nurse Specialists, Oncology colleagues, cancer site‑specific CNS, AHPs, Chaplaincy, Butterfly Volunteers, Bereavement team and local community hospices. A weekly multidisciplinary team meeting is held each Thursday morning. The team values respect, dignity, compassion and aims to maximise quality of life and lessen suffering by supporting the emotional, physical, spiritual and social needs of patients and those important to them.
About the Trust
Our Trust is one of England’s top‑performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award‑winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30 m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80 m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex. We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan and are committed to net‑zero carbon emissions by 2045.
Employment & Working Conditions
Employment is subject to a six‑month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Progression
The associate nurse specialist role is a development post based on competency objectives, aimed at developing clinical skills, reasoning, confidence and leadership. Successful completion may lead to a Band 7 Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist role, typically after approximately two years full time, with progression dependent on experience and advancement within the role.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
Application Deadline
This advert closes on Thursday 5 Mar 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr