Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Job Type: Permanent Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford and travel within the community (Stafford and surrounding area) Salary: £48,102 - £50,645 per annum (full time equivalent) dependent on prescriber status/experience. Hours: 37.5 hours per week/weekends and bank holidays inclusive. Closing date: 31st March 2026 Telephone Interview date: 7th April 2026 Face to face interview date: 15th and 16th April 2026 Are you a compassionate person, with palliative experience who wishes to contribute to the care that Katharine House Hospice provides? About us We are Katharine House Hospice, and we’re dedicated to providing compassionate care to people in our community affected by progressive illnesses. Everyone here plays an integral role in making this possible. We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity. The Role We are looking for a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist who is passionate about supporting patients to live well in their own home and be able to provide expert advice and support to patients, families and other health professionals in their own homes and through our single point of call on the Advice line. You will manage a group of patients with complex needs, making sure their care is planned and delivered in the best way possible. You will work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care which meets each patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Skills and experience You must have current registration with the NMC, be educated to at least degree level with extensive registration experience. Experience of delivering palliative care in a clinical setting. Non- Medical prescribing qualification preferred or willingness to undertake. Teaching experience In addition, you must have a full valid driving licence and access to a car for business purposes. We are driven in our aim to give patients the best possible care; if you are too we would love to meet you. Katharine House Hospice provides ongoing support with professional development, clinical supervision and access to staff counselling services. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member. Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role. What’s in it for you? Annual leave 33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years’ service. Pension scheme We match contributions up to 7% to a NEST scheme. If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so. Death in service benefit Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family. Employee Assistance Programme Providing support for your wellbeing. Training and development opportunities Continuous learning and professional growth. Occupational sick pay Support during times of illness. Healthcare cash benefit plan Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses. Free on-site parking Infection Prevention and Control In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal. Smoking The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones Join us and make a difference If you’re passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most. If you’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact the HR department on 01785 218257. The closing date is 31/03/2026 however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates. If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above. How to apply To the link below to submit an application via indeed. Job Description Purpose and impact At Katharine House Hospice, our mission is to provide gentle, person-centred care for people facing life-limiting illnesses, helping them to live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible. The purpose of the Palliative Care Nurse Specialist team is to be an integral part of the specialist palliative care provision to adult patients, their carers and friends within the palliative care philosophy framework identified by the World Health Organisation. As a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, you will play a vital part in supporting individuals and their loved ones during what can be one of the most sensitive and significant times in their lives. Working within our caring and experienced community team, you’ll help deliver practical, personal, and emotional support to people in their own homes or care settings — always with kindness, respect, and empathy at the heart of everything you do. Your presence offers not just hands-on care, but a sense of calm, reassurance, and continuity. Whether assisting with daily tasks or simply offering a quiet moment of companionship, you help people feel valued and supported in the place they feel most comfortable. By being part of someone’s journey in this way, you make a meaningful difference — not only to the individual receiving care, but to their families and loved ones too. This role also plays an important part in helping people stay at home if they wish, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and ensuring their final weeks or months are as peaceful and dignified as possible. Part of the team To work at the level of a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the field of palliative care by achieving and maintaining extensive specialist knowledge and experience within this area of practice. The Palliative Care Nurse Specialist will be responsible for: The delivery of evidence-based specialist palliative care to patients in the community as part of a multi-disciplinary specialist palliative care team Auditing and monitoring the quality of care Contributing to continuous improvement and clinical development of the service Contributing to ensuring that Katharine House Hospice meets the regulations and standards set by the Care Quality Commission. As a valued member of the PCNS Team, you will work closely with a compassionate group of nurses, healthcare assistants, and other palliative care professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centred care in the community. You will report to the Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Team Leader, who will offer ongoing support, supervision, and guidance to help you feel confident and well-supported in your role. Teamwork is central to everything we do — we communicate openly, share knowledge, and work together to ensure each patient and their family receives care that is responsive, respectful, and tailored to their individual needs Specific Objectives The overall objectives for this post are as follows: To ensure that the quality of specialist nursing care is of a high standard is measurable and reflects the philosophy of palliative care To provide clinical advice and educational support for nursing and care staff across the Hospice care services To create an environment in which the principles of lifelong learning and reflective practice can be applied To contribute to the effective management of Hospice resources. To ensure operational compliance with The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and The Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 Core Responsibilities Key Area - Responsibilities & Outputs Clinical Participate in delivering specialist palliative and end of life care to patients and their families in the community To support the delivery of a 7 day a week advice line Work within the scope and practice of Katharine House Hospice Policies and Standard Operating Procedures. Use specialist nursing skills to develop therapeutic and clinically effective relationships with patients and their families Demonstrate advanced communication skills in order to address sensitive and complex concepts and issues with patients, their families, colleagues and other health professionals Work in conjunction with the Hospice Clinical Psychologist and Counsellors to provide psychological support to patients and their families Work in conjunction with Hospice Family Support Team to provide bereavement support for families / relatives / carers Support the Hospice care team in implementing the principles and philosophy of palliative care. Use own clinical practice as a role model, and maintain a positive attitude amongst nursing and care staff Ensure and demonstrate that the quality of nursing care is of a high standard Where qualified, to act as an Independent and supplementary prescriber. In undertaking this role the post holder will follow Katharine House Hospice Independent Prescribing and Supplementary Prescribing policy and procedures. Ensure relevant documentation is maintained on all patients according to identified policies and procedures, Nursing and Midwifery Council and Care Quality Commission requirements Monitor clinical practice and initiate change, that results in up to date, evidence based nursing care. Contribute to ensuring that clinical protocols and procedures are in place, are relevant and are regularly updated Contribute to ensuring that the clinical practice of other members of the nursing team is sound and evidence based and support the Director of Care to take remedial/supportive action to improve the clinical performance of a staff member when needed Review the outcomes of care in conjunction with other members of the multi-professional team As part of the multi-disciplinary team contribute to critically analysing and developing safe practice through policy development Actively participate in staff development Actively seek new knowledge and create appropriate change Participate in research where appropriate Be part of the senior clinician’s team and be part of the on call clinical cover rota Managerial Manage a defined caseload of patients as a part of the Palliative Care Nurse Specialist team Work in conjunction with other members of the Palliative Care Nurse Specialist team to manage the wider caseload in order to meet the specialist palliative care needs of patients and their families in the community Represent the Hospice at primary care meetings e.g. Gold Standard Framework meetings Participate in audit to monitor standards of care Ensure that pertinent information is communicated to the Director of Care in a timely and appropriate manner Contribute to the prompt investigation of complaints and untoward incidents using them constructively to inform and improve the working of the Hospice Participate in ensuring the Hospice meets the requirements of the Clinical Commissioning Groups, Universities and Care Quality Commission Participate in the co-ordination of annual departmental objective setting Participate in Katharine House Hospice meetings as required Contribute to planning Katharine House Hospice strategic developments Work with Director of Care in developing and maintaining good working relationships with all areas of Katharine House Hospice and local health and social care providers and commissioners. Education Contribute to and maintain a learning environment for all levels of staff and visitors to the Hospice, including meeting university requirements as a suitable placement area for students Participate in identifying and implementing in-service training and education strategies to meet the needs of staff, student nurses and medical students Participate in continuing education and other activities to promote own professional growth Participate in the provision of formal and informal education to Katharine House Hospice staff, external staff and visitors Participate in the development of appropriate induction and development programmes Personal Support the Director of Care in reviewing team vacancies in line with service needs and developments and partake in the interviewing process Be proactive in reducing/avoiding stress within the team Be proactive in the personal and professional development of the nursing team Attend statutory/mandatory updates Participate in annual appraisal Participate in clinical supervision according to Hospice policy Work within the guidelines laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code of Professional Conduct Maintain current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Work within Health and Safety guidelines prepared by the Hospice Check/maintain payroll timesheets and personnel data Other This list is not exhaustive as the role will continue to evolve with the organisational needs. Person Specification Education & Qualifications Registered Nurse (Adult) on NMC Register OR Degree in Nursing or related health science - Essential Advanced Communication Skills - Desirable Non-medical prescriber or willing to undertake training - Essential Principles of Physical Assessment - Desirable Post graduate study in Palliative Care or other relevant subject - Desirable Experience and Knowledge Significant post registration experience - Essential Experience in delivering palliative care - Essential Community experience - Essential Teaching experience - Essential Demonstrable skills in change management - Desirable Budgetary awareness - Desirable Staff development - Desirable Team Management skills - Desirable Skills and attributes Demonstrable clinical skills in palliative care - Essential Is able to attend to basic patient hygiene needs - Essential Demonstrable ability to make clinical decisions - Essential Demonstrable people management skills including: - Essential Motivation of staff Team building Decision Making Expanding skills and knowledge of others - Essential Team Player - Essential Computer literate - Essential Understanding of current issues and initiatives relating to palliative care - Essential Demonstrable clinical leadership - Desirable Conflict and problem solving - Desirable Initiating and managing change - Desirable Other Excellent communication skills both written and verbal - Essential Flexible attitude - Essential Able to plan and prioritise workload - Essential Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team - Essential Car driver and owner - Essential Approachable - Essential Trustworthy - Essential Team Player - Essential Motivated - Essential Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients - Essential Ensures infection prevention measures are maintained - Essential Assertive nature - Essential Well organized - Essential Confident - Essential Non-judgmental - Essential Self-aware - Essential Enthusiastic - Essential ‘Can-do’ approach - Essential Effective negotiator - Essential The ability to deal with and resolve conflict - Desirable Demonstrable leadership qualities - Desirable