Job summary
Are you passionate about providing outstanding Palliative and End of Life Care within an acute hospital setting? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our well-established hospital palliative care team at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
We are looking to appoint an experienced, highly skilled, Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist. You will work as an autonomous practitioner managing a caseload of complex palliative care patients with a variety of conditions. Supported by an experienced team of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Consultants, you will also have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of teaching, projects, service improvement as well as developing your own leadership skills. The Palliative Care Team provide a 7 day service which will require cover for weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
This post will suit a motivational, organised, empathetic and passionate person who has excellent communication skills, and enjoys working within a team.
For full details of the Job Role and Person Specification, please see attached Job Description.
The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job
You will provide expert clinical care to patients with complex palliative care needs, the provision of education for carers and staff involved in generalist palliative care provision. You will have the opportunity to be involved in the development of local palliative care provision in participation with the West Suffolk Alliance. The post holder will act as an expert resource within the Trust and to the wider community.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Details
Date posted
10 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
M
Job locations
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
* 1st Level NMC Registered Nurse
* Teaching experience at ward level
Desirable
* Education to diploma/degree level, or working towards degree
* Non-medical prescribing qualification in speciality
* Advanced Communication Skills Training
Experience and knowledge
Essential
* Experience of audit
* Evidence of professional development and its relevant application
* Ability to train others
* Previous band 6 post holder or equivalent
* Palliative or end of life care nursing experience
Desirable
* Oncology nursing experience
Skills and abilities
Essential
* Demonstrate evidence of sound clinical knowledge of pain and symptom management
* Knowledge of change management process
* Ability to plan, organise and co-ordinate work under pressure
* Demonstrate initiative
* Ability to prioritise work
* IT skills
* Excellent communication skills
Desirable
* Ability to assess psychological and psycho-social needs
* Evidence of standard setting and protocol development
Personal qualities
Essential
* Friendly and approachable
* Ability to work autonomously
* Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations
* Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Ability to develop others
* Flexible approach to working hours and duties
* Time management skills
Desirable
* Ability to travel to rural locations to meet the needs of the role
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
* 1st Level NMC Registered Nurse
* Teaching experience at ward level
Desirable
* Education to diploma/degree level, or working towards degree
* Non-medical prescribing qualification in speciality
* Advanced Communication Skills Training
Experience and knowledge
Essential
* Experience of audit
* Evidence of professional development and its relevant application
* Ability to train others
* Previous band 6 post holder or equivalent
* Palliative or end of life care nursing experience
Desirable
* Oncology nursing experience
Skills and abilities
Essential
* Demonstrate evidence of sound clinical knowledge of pain and symptom management
* Knowledge of change management process
* Ability to plan, organise and co-ordinate work under pressure
* Demonstrate initiative
* Ability to prioritise work
* IT skills
* Excellent communication skills
Desirable
* Ability to assess psychological and psycho-social needs
* Evidence of standard setting and protocol development
Personal qualities
Essential
* Friendly and approachable
* Ability to work autonomously
* Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations
* Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Ability to develop others
* Flexible approach to working hours and duties
* Time management skills
Desirable
* Ability to travel to rural locations to meet the needs of the role
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)