Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurse
The closing date is 16 October 2026
County Durham and DarlingtonNHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers inEngland, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a highperforming organisation with a track record of success and have been rated asOutstanding by the CQC for our Palliative and End of Life Care. Thissubstantive permanent Band 7 post offers an exciting opportunity for a suitablyqualified and experienced Registered Nurse to work within the SpecialistPalliative Care in the Community setting.
The post covers corehours of 09:00-17:00 and works across a seven day period, weekends and bankholidays are rostered across the team as per CDDFT policy. Core hours are09:00-17:00.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide a consistent highquality specialist palliative care service for patients and families. Withsignificant post registration experience including recent experience inpalliative care.
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist within the SpecialistPalliative Care Community team the post holder will need to be able to:
Demonstrate excellent communication and leadership skillsand will need to be committed to developing practice.
Working collaboratively as part of a team and buildingeffective relationships with the role colleagues, you must also be able to workon your own initiative.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients andcarers.
Provide specialist advice.
Provides day to daysupervision and/or clinical supervision to others
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job responsibilities
The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist within the SpecailistPalliative Care team requires a suitably qualified and experienced registered nurseto be able to utilise their extensive knowledge of palliative care and complexsymptom management to offer high quality patient centred care, whilstsupporting their peers and colleagues. Be able to have a positive impact oncare and confidently deal with difficult and complex situations withsensitivity and compassion. Be confident and influence change. Offer supportand supervision to Band 6 Palliative Care Nurses in the team.
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience working as a Nurse
- Relevant post registration experience, in cancer, palliative care or relevant specialty
- Experience of multi professional working
- Leadership and management experience
- Experience of teaching
- Demonstrates proactive approach to palliative and end of life care
- Previous experience of working as a clinical nurse specialist
- Experience of audit and research Understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK
Statutory Registration
Special Requirements
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Well presented application
- Assertive and confident yet approachable and supportive manner
- Professionally credible
- Flexibility in approach to work and in range of duties/ hours of work
- Demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm
- Diplomatic
- Calm and objective
- Self Motivated
- Recognition of own limitations
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Qualifications
- Highly developed knowledge of Palliative Care Pain and Symptom control management
- First level degree in related subject
- Post-basic qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject
- Sound knowledge of national and regional policies influencing palliative care services
- Advanced communication skills training or willing and able to undertake
- Knowledge of cancer treatment modalities & implications
- Independent Nurse Prescriber or able and willing to undertake
- Evidence of teaching qualification (Cert Ed or equivalent)
- Good understanding of organisational priorities of relevant organisations
- Awareness of current political and organisational climate
- Evidence of Masters level learning or prepared to work towards
- UCPD in Physical Assessment skills
- Evidence of Counselling qualification
- Understanding of audit methodologies
- Research qualification
Special Skills & Knowledge
- Ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture
- Ability to demonstrate track record of practice development
- Excellent communication and counselling skills both in clinical settings and with other healthcare professionals
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing at all levels of understanding.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of an integrated team
- Well developed influencing negotiation and facilitation skills
- Organised and able to prioritise and work to deadlines
- Ability to respond sensitively to situations of conflict
- Confident & effective teaching / presentation skills
- Flexible and innovative
- Skills in supervision and mentorship
- Commitment to continuing personal development
- Ability to lead and influence change
- Ability to obtain and critically evaluate information to enable decision making
- Ability to motivate, inspire and lead
- Ability to deal with difficult and complex situations with sensitivity & compassion
- Ability to think and plan strategically
- Demonstrates proactive approach to palliative and end of life care Previous experience of working as a clinical nurse specialist
- Experience of audit and research
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.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£49,387 to £56,515 a yearper annum / pro rata
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Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurse in North East employer: Cddft
At County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for our Specialty Doctors in Emergency Medicine. Our commitment to professional development is evident through flexible working hours, opportunities for research funding, and a culture that encourages continuous learning and collaboration within a dedicated team. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while advancing your career in a vibrant healthcare setting.
