Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
An opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, to cover maternity leave for a fixed term of 12 months at Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal Hospitals
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
To provide clinical excellence, leadership, innovation through highly developed specialist knowledge within palliative care.
Providing specialist information and support for patients and carers with specialist palliative care needs or approaching end of life being cared for in the acute setting.
The role requires sensitive communication to support patients with specialist palliative care needs and their families making complex decisions around future care and treatments.
Our values of respect and inclusion are at our core and guide us in our day to day interactions with each other and our patients. We treat people as individuals – celebrating their differences and always taking the time to listen, and learn, from their experiences and perspectives.
We have active professional and social networking groups across our hospitals as well as wearing our accreditations and awards with pride. We are an accredited Disability Confident employer, welcome employees from the Armed Forces through the national ‘Veteran Aware’ scheme, and are proud to be both a Stonewall Diversity Champion employer and a NHS LGBTQI+ Rainbow Badges pilot Trust.
Whilst we celebrate these achievements, we remain true to our ‘where better never stops’ ethos and to our commitment to champion inclusion and to remove barriers to equality so everyone can feel free to be their authentic self.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Using expert clinical knowledge and understanding act as nurse adviser to patients, carers and staff for those with palliative care/end of life needs within the hospital setting.
2. Undertake a holistic assessment of the patients and carers needs and ensure that it is both recorded and communicated to the appropriate people
3. Promote an optimal environment for the delivery of care for patients within the hospital setting in partnership with other health care professionals both within the trust and other key organisations for patients leaving hospital
4. Facilitating the discharge of patients in accordance with the rapid discharge guidelines and the patients preferred place of care and death
5. Facilitate the discussion around advance care planning and medical contingency plans where possible and appropriate
6. The provision of data and reports that meet the required key performance indicators for the service in a timely manner
7. Provide education and training to members of nursing and medical teams within the trust
8. Manage junior members of the hospital palliative care team
9. Take the lead in identified service development projects working with the palliative care across the whole of the trust
-- Please see Job description & Person Specs for further information --
Person specification
Qualifications and Expireience
Essential criteria
10. NMC Registered Adult Nurse
11. Educated to Degree level/professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training, experience, masters modules
12. Specialist qualification in palliative care or specialist related qualification experience or experience
13. Evidence of continued professional development
14. Evidence of leadership development/ qualification
15. Significant experience within band 6 nursing or above.
16. Experience of multi-professional and cross organisational working
17. Experience of teaching patients/staff/carers in a complex specialist field using different teaching techniques
18. Experience of breaking bad news, or delivering complex, life-altering information
19. Experience of dealing with highly sensitive issues, conflict and difficult situations
Desirable criteria
20. Nurse prescribing course
21. Psychological Assessment training Level 2
22. Advanced Communication Skills training
23. Research qualification
24. Masters level learning or prepared to work towards
25. Relevant senior post-registration experience in palliative care or cancer or the specialty
26. Experience in discussing DNACPR, Respect conversations or advanced care planning
Skills
Essential criteria
27. Ability to overcome or manage any barriers to communication.
28. Effective communication skills across the multi-disciplinary team and different health and social care settings, at all levels
29. Ability to accept responsibility and delegate appropriately.
30. Ability to work well within a team and to motivate and influence others where appropriate.
31. Use advanced communication skills to deliver complex and life altering information.
32. Demonstrates confidence in self, can be assertive and diplomatic in communication with patients, relatives and colleagues.
33. Engaging and personable in style of communication. Demonstrate ability to take on constructive feedback and act on it.
34. Demonstrates an ability to undertake a holistic assessment of patients. to plan evaluate and implement care.
35. Ability to deal with complex and emotional situations, make decisions under pressure, innovative problem solving and awareness of own limitations
36. Ability to recognise own stress levels and how to best manage them.
37. Demonstrable negotiation and change management skills.
38. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
39. Ability to prioritise a complex and demanding workload flexibly.
40. Developed physical accuracy and hand eye co-ordination for clinical skills
41. Developed keyboard skills.
42. Commitment to high clinical standards
43. Awareness of financial constraints and efficient use of resources Experience of using audit and research to inform practice
44. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable criteria
45. Evidence of Leadership and motivational skills
46. Published work.
47. Experience with budgeting and delivering cost-effective initiatives.
48. Experience of user involvement processes and evaluation
49. Involvement in audit, project and/or research work
50. Experience of working as a keyworker
51. Experience of collating data
Person Specification
Essential criteria
52. Teaching, assessing and presentation skills for patients and staff.
53. Ability to motivate self, enthuse and influence others
54. Flexible and adaptable approach to working.
55. Assertive, confident, yet diplomatic and approachable
56. Demonstrates enthusiasm and self-motivation.
57. Good active listening skills
58. Professionally accountable for own actions, taking appropriate autonomous clinical decisions in line with seniority and expected knowledge
Desirable criteria
59. Experience in planning and delivering education for colleagues and patient groups.
60. Experience managing staff
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
61. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
62. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications