Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training (15 month fixed-term contract)
Are you an experienced Registered Nurse with a passion for palliative and end of life care? Do you want to develop into a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within a supportive, Outstanding-rated hospice team?
Prospect Hospice is offering an exciting 15-month structured development pathway into a substantive Community Clinical Nurse Specialist role.
In October 2021, the Care Quality Commission rated our care as Outstanding. They said:
“With exception, staff we talked with were proud to work for the hospice. Staff members told us the hospice was an excellent place to work and was made up of individuals who all have one common purpose; to provide high-quality, person-centred care.”
This is your opportunity to be part of that purpose.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week over 7 days (9am 5pm with flexibility as required). Part time hours considered.
Interviews will be held on 24 March 2026.
Pleasenote: We are not part of the NHS Agenda for Change.
We will review applications as they come in and may close the vacancy before the closing date. Candidates are advised to apply early.
Main duties of the job
What is the role?
This is a development post designed to prepare an experienced nurse to transition into a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist position within 15 months within our Community CNS Team.
Working under the mentorship of a Senior CNS and the CNS Team Leader, you will:
* Complete a structured learning agreement and competency framework over 15 months
* Complete required competencies, assessments and workbook
* Manage a supervised caseload of patients with life-limiting illness in the community (home and care home settings)
* Develop advanced skills in clinical assessment, anticipatory care planning and complex decision-making
* Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and those important to them
* Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and clinical governance activities
* Contribute to education, audit and quality improvement initiatives
This role is ideal for a nurse with significant post-registration clinical experience who is ready to develop advanced practice skills in specialist palliative care. Subject to successful completion of the agreed competency framework within the 15-month period, and continued service need, the postholder will progress to a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist position.
The role requires resilience, compassion, reflective practice and a genuine commitment to delivering excellence in end-of-life care.
Informal visits or calls are very welcome, please contact Sue Emmerson, CNS Team Leader on 01793 816126.
About us
Prospect Hospice is an independent hospice supporting a community of 300,000 people in Swindon, Marlborough and North Wiltshire, and the villages of Lechlade and Fairford in Gloucestershire.
It is the only dedicated provider of specialist end-of-life care services within its locality. The Hospice multi-professionals teams support people in the community, in care homes, at the Great Western Hospital and at the Hospice in Wroughton. Care is also extended to the families and friends of patients.
Job responsibilities
Main Purpose & Scope
The prime purpose is to prepare a trained nurse to become a substantive CNS at Prospect Hospice.
A key element will be to build advanced expertise in clinical practice, education, professional development, and practice improvement.
Another crucial aspect will be that the CNS in training contributes to patient management while progressively assuming the full scope of CNS responsibilities.
What we are looking for
* Registered Nurse with relevant post-registration experience
* Current NMC registration
* Experience caring for patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying
* Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills
* Ability to work autonomously and manage workload effectively
* Commitment to professional development and reflective practice
* Full driving licence and access to own car (insured for business use)
* A compassionate, person-centred approach aligned to Prospect Hospice values
It would also be great if you have
* Experience in audit and quality improvement
* Knowledge of clinical governance principles
* Experience using reflective processes to improve practice
* Innovative approach to problem solving
We offer a great range of benefits, including:
* 27 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
* Membership of the NHS pension scheme is available for existing members
* Generous contributory pension scheme for all other staff
* Discounts with local retailers, gyms and service providers including Blue Light Discount Card
* Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing team
* Supportive induction, training and development
* A values led, inclusive working environment
How to Apply
Please apply on our web site - Vacant Positions - Prospect Hospice
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional GMC/NMC/HCPC registration
Equality & Diversity
Prospect Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our business and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of nursing patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying and caring for those who are important to them.
* Ability to liaise effectively with other agencies to positively influence outcomes for palliative care patients.
* Palliative care experience and willingness to undertake further qualifications.
* Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with staff.
* Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
Qualifications
* Registered nurse with a minimum of 3 years post registration experience.
* Full driving licence and access to own car, insurance for business use.
* Willingness to participate in teaching sessions.
* Experience with audit and quality improvement.
* Experience of using reflective processes as a framework to improve practice.
Skills
* Ability to work in a changing environment.
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills; able to communicate effectively at all levels.
* Able to follow instructions and also to plan and manage own workload and activities.
* Innovative approach to problem solving.
Personal Qualities
* Commitment to and ability to demonstrate Prospect Hospice values and behaviours at all times.
* Have a track record of working inclusively and a genuine appreciation of the value of diversity.
* Able to maintain the highest professional standards at all times, and act as a true ambassador for the Hospice and encourage others to do the same.
* To be authentic, open honest and transparent.
* Effective strategies and approaches to facilitate coping with the emotional demands of role, particularly exposure to loss and patient death.
* Ability to act as a positive ambassador for Prospect Hospice.
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.
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