Inpatient Unit Service Lead in Bolton

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational and experienced clinical leader to join our supportive and professional team as Service Lead for our 16-bed Inpatient Unit at Bolton Hospice. Our consultant-led team of doctors, nurses and health professionals provides expert, compassionate care and support to people living with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families, both within the hospice and in their own homes. We are committed to delivering person-centred care, supporting not only our patients' physical needs but also their emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. We also provide ongoing support to families and those close to our patients throughout illness and into bereavement.

The Service Lead role is broad, diverse and rewarding. It combines strategic service development with hands-on clinical leadership. The Service Lead will inspire the nursing team, promote high standards of palliative care, oversee quality and governance, and ensure an exceptional experience for patients and their families. Working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, this post will appeal to an individual with the ability to deliver in all aspects of clinical care and staff management.

This role will appeal to a strong and motivated Senior Nurse with experience of leading clinical teams, developing staff and managing change. The Service Lead will be an enthusiastic, compassionate and resilient leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care and supporting others to achieve their full potential. The Service Lead will monitor and maintain the professional standards required through leadership and management of the Inpatient Unit team creating a supportive and unified team, whose prime purpose is to provide safe, effective care to those who need it.

The Service Lead will take a key role in the Clinical Governance processes including the review, development and implementation of policies and evidence-based practice required for the safe, efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the inpatient unit and will work closely with the Head of Clinical Services and Service Leads across the organisation to ensure multi-professional collaborative working. The successful candidate will be expected to retain and develop their own clinical skills by working clinically on the ward or within the Hospice at Home service for a minimum of one day a week, providing expert support and acting as a role model for the team.

If you are looking for an opportunity to influence the future of Hospice Inpatient care while making a meaningful difference to patients, families and colleagues every day, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What you need:

• We are looking for an experienced Registered Nurse with relevant post-registration experience, including leadership or management within a patient care setting.
• You will have a passion for delivering high-quality, person-centred care and a commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• You must be an approachable, compassionate and motivational leader, able to inspire and develop others while fostering a positive and supportive team culture.
• With excellent clinical knowledge and professional judgement.
• You will need to be confident leading in both clinical and operational situations, ensuring safe, effective and responsive care for patients and their families.
• The successful candidate will have a good understanding of clinical governance, quality assurance and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment processes for hospice services, together with the ability to implement and embed evidence-based practice.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• The successful candidate will be flexible and able to travel to attend meetings or training at other locations when required.

Why Bolton Hospice?

We pride ourselves in offering an integrated specialist palliative care service for all our patients in Bolton. We offer our employees an attractive benefits package, including 35 days annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 40 days with long service (pro rata for part-time), generous enhanced maternity package, contributory pension scheme, life assurance, free parking, healthcare cash plan, Blue Light Discount Card, discounted meals and excellent training opportunities. We also offer continuity of service from the NHS with respect to pension and holiday allowance.

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 6th September 2026. Interviews date to be confirmed. Bolton Hospice welcomes applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, marital status or sexual orientation. Any appointment will be made on merit alone. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check. Bolton Hospice has a No Smoking Policy.