Community Services Registered Nurse

As we restructure our services to meet increasing demands, we are looking for a registered nurse to join our community team as a band 5, Community Nurse. This role will ensure high-quality palliative and end-of-life care is delivered across our community services including Hospice at Home, Wellbeing and Bereavement Services and when required the Rapid Response Team. For the right candidate this post can be a development post designed to provide structured training, supervision and practical experience to support progression from a band 5 to a band 6 over a 3 year period. The development offer will consist of on-the-job training, formal education and competency-based assessments to build the clinical knowledge, confidence and skills required to deliver high-quality palliative and end-of-life care in both the community and hospice setting.

What we offer

• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career development and work life balance.
• Agenda for Change pay scales, with NHS length of service recognised for annual leave entitlement.
• Continued access to the NHS Pension Scheme for existing members, subject to eligibility.
• Sickness pay in line with Mary Ann Evans Hospice policy.
• Excellent training and professional development opportunities.
• Enhanced DBS clearance provided.
• Lease car scheme via salary sacrifice and access to electric pool cars for work-related travel.
• Free on-site parking at the Hospice (George Eliot site).
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering confidential support.

Main duties of the job

Alongside our Community Team Leads the post holder will lead and support a team of Nursing Associates, Senior HCA's, HCA's, Complementary Therapist and volunteers through effective supervision, appraisal and development, while role-modelling professional standards, inclusive leadership and compassionate practice. Clinically the successful candidate will support with the day-to-day running of the community services, ensuring patients are supported to remain in their preferred place of care, most often their own home, with care planned around their individual needs and wishes. By undertaking assessments, supporting advance care planning, coordinating multidisciplinary working and ensuring care is evidence-based, well-documented and aligned with patient preferences. There is responsibility for clinical governance, audit, incident reporting, risk management, infection control and the effective use of digital systems such as EMIS to support quality, outcomes and external reporting. The post holder contributes to service development, policy implementation, research activity and continuous improvement, supporting delivery within agreed budgets and promoting a positive, open and learning culture. Deputising for Community Team Lead when required, the role plays a key part in shaping, assuring and advancing Mary Ann's clinical services.

Job responsibilities

• Provide a confident and supportive presence for patients and staff, acting as an advocate for individuals with palliative care needs across Mary Ann Evan's clinical services.
• Deliver and supervise holistic, evidence-based care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient needs.
• Ensuring care aligns with approved policies and procedures.
• Coordinating a multidisciplinary approach involving Bereavement Practitioner, Complementary Therapy, therapeutic activities, and volunteers.
• Prioritising and programming care for patients and their families and carers.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, and professionals to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Engage in sensitive conversations around palliative and end-of-life care preferences and wishes.
• Represent Mary Ann Evans at fundraising, public, and professional events as needed.
• Act as a competent clinical practitioner by conducting holistic assessments for patients and carers.
• Recognise and escalate clinical deterioration or risk appropriately, using early warning tools and clinical judgement to ensure patient safety.
• Administering medication and treatments in line with NMC and Mary Ann Evans policies.
• Maintaining high standards of recordkeeping and documentation.
• Demonstrate digital competency in clinical systems e.g., EMIS and contribute to the implementation of digital innovations that enhance patient care and service efficiency.
• Commit to ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice.
• Recognise and respond to emotional and distressing situations, supporting self and team through supervision.
• Adhere to the NMC Code, CQC standards, and national/local palliative care guidance.
• Participate in quality and clinical governance activities, including audits, risk assessments, and incident reviews.
• Work flexibly across teams to support care delivery.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, both internally and externally.
• Provide bereavement support in collaboration with the Senior Bereavement Practitioner.
• Liaise professionally with internal and external healthcare professionals.
• Ensure safe use and maintenance of equipment and environment, adhering to health and safety and infection control policies.
• Contribute to the development and review of clinical policies, procedures, and service planning.
• Support Mary Ann Evans research activity and complete Good Clinical Practice training as required.
• Participate in clinical supervision and reflective practice in line with policy.
• Identify and act upon safeguarding concerns in accordance with Mary Ann Evans safeguarding policy and national legislation, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults and children.
• Promote and uphold principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of patient care and team collaboration.

Leadership & Management

• Supervise, direct, and manage staff and volunteers to maintain consistent professional standards of care.
• Act as a role model, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a can-do attitude.
• Foster a supportive team environment that prioritises wellbeing, resilience, and psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue and mutual support.
• Contribute to recruitment and day-to-day staff management, including managing absences and arranging cover.
• Collaborate with the CSTL and Head of Clinical Operations to implement and review evidence-based, cost-effective clinical practices.
• Deputise for the CSTL at meetings and represent the team when required.
• Meet monthly with the CSTL/team to exchange information and discuss service matters.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of patient-related outcomes and activity data.
• Undertake appraisals for Senior HCA and others as directed.
• Promote a culture of openness, honesty, and continuous improvement.
• Support the development of others through the participation in induction and training programmes, mentoring, supervising, and teaching staff, students, and volunteers.
• Delivering informal and formal education sessions.

Standard Requirements of all Mary Ann Staff:

• To be flexible and adapt to the needs of the team.
• To maintain strict confidentiality and always adhere to data protection policies.
• To observe and maintain security procedures and to be aware of responsibilities towards Health & Safety, Hospice Policies and Procedures, and COSHH.
• Mary Ann Evans operates a strictly no smoking and vaping policy whilst on duty and on the premises.
• Exercise responsible stewardship of Hospice resources.
• Support environmentally sustainable practices in clinical and operational activities, in line with Mary Ann Evans commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
• Attendance at meetings, events and activities may require the post holder to work beyond the normal hours/days of work on occasions, flexibility is essential.
• To have an understanding and demonstrate regard for Mary Ann Evans vision, mission, values and strategic aims.
• Travel in the Warwickshire area, and on occasions within the UK, to fulfil role and attend/participate in training and personal development opportunities, using own vehicle or public transport, for which expenses will be met in line with policies.
• To maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with other members of staff and volunteers.
• To participate in annual and quarterly performance appraisal, where the job description will be reviewed, and objectives agreed.
• Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements relevant to role as outlined by Mary Ann Evans Policy.
• To participate in surveys and audits as required by the service in relation to your role.
• Conform to conventional standards of professional uniform and business dress when representing Mary Ann Evans.
• To accept temporary redeployment within any part of Mary Ann Evans should the need arise ensuring hospice goals and objectives are met.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Clinical nursing skills in palliative and end of life care.
• Excellent planning and organising skills.
• People management skills including motivation of staff, team building, decision making, conflict management, problem solving.
• Clinical leadership.
• Initiating, adapting to and managing change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills communication with patients, health and social care professionals and the wider multi-professional team encompassing verbal and written skills.
• Conversant with CQC regulations and implications on safe, effective, caring, responsive, well-led services.
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the need for confidentiality in all aspects of the work environment.
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability to organise self and others effectively.
• Able to write succinct and informative reports.
• Evidence of effective teaching and mentoring.
• Understanding of current issues and initiatives relating to palliative care.
• Ability to take the lead in a multi-disciplinary setting, making clinical and operational decisions and manage a caseload.

Experience

• Experience working within either a hospice or community setting.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills.
• Experience of CQC compliance and evidencing regulations in practice.
• Ability to lead and manage a range of staff.
• Experience of service development.
• Experience and commitment to continuous organisational improvement and ability to act as a change agent.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered healthcare practitioner.
• Degree or Post Graduate Qualification, or willing to consider developing.
• Teaching and mentoring qualification.
• Accredited or post registration professional development in palliative care related field to enable advanced clinical care skills.
• Advanced Communication Skills course. If not held then must be willing to undertake to be negotiated as part of personal professional development plan.

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.

£32,073 to £39,043 a year Depending on experience.