Team Leader Hospital Palliative Care Team in London

The Palliative Care Team Leader (Hospital Team) plays a vital role in delivering responsive, high-quality specialist palliative care services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Woolwich. This position focuses on fostering integrated, patient-centred care for those with life-limiting conditions and supporting their families and carers in collaboration with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT). The Team Leader will establish and lead projects, mentor team members, and advocate for best practices in palliative care through continuous learning, professional development, and cross-sector collaboration.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and Model Exceptional Care - Deliver personalised, patient-centered care and be a role model for best practices in palliative care.
• Support and Develop the Team - Supervise, mentor, and empower team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Ensure Operational Excellence - Oversee the services budget, prioritise referrals, and manage a responsive, seven-day-a-week care provision.
• Champion Collaboration - Work closely with multi-disciplinary teams across the hospital, hospice, and community to provide seamless, compassionate care.
• Drive Quality and Innovation - Lead quality assurance, contribute to research, and continuously seek ways to improve palliative care practices.

About us

Working at the Community Hospice If you’ve worked at a hospice before, you’ll know just how special a place they really are. And if you’re exploring a hospice career, you won’t find a job that’s more rewarding. It’s the one job that gives you opportunities every day to make someone’s last days matter. At the Community Hospice we believe in making every moment count. We’re here to support people to live as well as they can, for as long as they can. And we can’t do this without incredible people like you. Hospice care is about creating memories with loved ones, providing support when faced with difficult choices and it’s about helping people living with terminal illnesses live to the fullest. Your talent and expertise will bring this very special kind of care to families when they need it most and you will see the impact of your work on a daily basis. In our hospice, every role makes a difference. We aspire to reflect the communities that we serve, and we welcome applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. We value diversity and believe our differences enrich the care we provide to local people. They also help us as colleagues by encouraging us to challenge ourselves, learn, innovate, and adapt.

Job responsibilities

• Clinical Practice, Management, and Leadership

• Lead and Model High-Quality Care - Provide individualised care to patients and their families, ensuring that services align with the Hospice's standards and philosophy.
• Supervise and Mentor Staff - Oversee the Hospital Palliative Care Team through regular supervision, documented meetings, and annual performance reviews, promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Manage Operational Aspects - Take responsibility for the services budget, prioritise referrals and caseloads, and ensure the availability of a responsive, seven-day-a-week service.
• Champion Best Practices - Use evidence-based knowledge to guide team decisions and ensure that care practices reflect current research and high standards.
• Drive Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Work closely with medical, nursing, and support teams at QEH and GBCH to facilitate an integrated, quality-driven palliative care service.

• Facilitate Clear, Consistent Communication - Lead daily and multidisciplinary team meetings, ensuring alignment across departments and timely decision-making for patient care.
• Build Strong Relationships - Establish and maintain positive, supportive relationships with colleagues across Hospital, Hospice, and community care teams to promote holistic, patient-centered care.
• Delegate Effectively - Ensure seamless operations by appropriately delegating tasks, especially during planned leave, to maintain continuity and high standards of care.

• Mentor and Coach Team Members - Foster a supportive environment focused on professional growth, self-directed learning, and staff development across all levels.
• Engage in Continuous Learning - Identify and address training needs within the team, delivering education and induction programs in collaboration with LGT and other partners.
• Contribute to Sector Knowledge - Participate in and present at training, research forums, and conferences, sharing insights and best practices.

• Ensure High Standards - Regularly monitor and report on standards of care through clinical governance structures, contributing to an ongoing culture of improvement.
• Advocate for Patients and Families - Act as a compassionate advocate, upholding dignity and respect throughout the care process and post-mortem.
• Participate in Audit and Research Initiatives - Conduct regular audits and engage in research to refine and advance palliative care practices, ensuring patient outcomes drive service improvements.

• Provide Grief Support - Guide the team in understanding and addressing grief and loss, offering support to patients, families, and colleagues through challenging situations.
• Promote Awareness of Bereavement Services - Identify individuals at risk in bereavement and refer them to appropriate support services.

Person Specification

• Qualifications

• Education - Registered professional qualification e.g., Allied Health Professional, Social Worker, Nursing, with relevant degree and leadership experience.
• Specialised Experience - Senior role experience in palliative care, ideally within a hospital or hospice setting, with proven ability in managing change, staff development, and interdisciplinary team working.
• Leadership and Management - Demonstrated competence in team leadership, staff development, budget management, and operational oversight in healthcare.
• Technical Skills - Proficient in digital health systems e.g., SystmOne, iCare, for effective record-keeping and patient care coordination.
• Advanced Study - Masters level study, Advanced Communications Skills, teaching qualifications, and/or leadership certifications are beneficial.
• Research Competency - Knowledge of research methods and experience with data-driven decision-making in palliative care.
• Community-Based Experience - Experience working with community nurses, GPs, and within broader community networks.
• Autonomy and Teamwork - Able to work independently while thriving as part of a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
• Innovative and Solution-Oriented - Strong problem-solving skills, flexibility in handling diverse clinical and operational challenges, and a proactive approach to improving patient care.
• Inclusive and Equitable - Committed to anti-discriminatory practices, embracing diversity, and promoting equity across all interactions and care delivery.
• Flexible Work Approach - Willingness to work across different locations (Hospice, QEH, UHL) and adaptable to weekend or out-of-hours work as needed.

• 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.