Palliative Care Nurse Specialist
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford and travel within the community (Stafford and surrounding area)
Salary: £49,786 to £52,164 per annum (full time equivalent) dependent on prescriber status/experience.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week/weekends and bank holidays inclusive.
Closing date: 8th November 2026
Telephone Interview date: 16th November 2026
Face to face interview date: 23rd November 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 Aegon 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 8th November 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
Mission
“We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.”
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 a sense of calm, reassurance, and continuity, helping patients 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 – 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
Contact Details:
Katharine House Hospice Stafford Recruitment Team
