Registered Nurse Ashford

Job summary

The post holder is responsible for providing a high standard of palliative nursing care which reflects evidence based practice, encompasses patient choice and makes best use of valuable resources. This includes assessing, planning and implementing individualised and effective patient care and evaluating the outcome. The post holder will be expected to communicate with members of the internal and external multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best care for patients whilst on the ward and on discharge. In addition the post holder will facilitate training, education and induction programmes for other qualified and unqualified staff.

Main duties of the job

• Work as part of a team to deliver high quality palliative care in the in-patient unit at either PHA/PHC/PHT.
• Support the operational management by taking responsibility for the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager and Ward Sister, ensuring patient care is maintained.
• Will be a registered nurse accountable for the direct delivery of patient care within an in-patient unit caring for patients with palliative needs.
• Maintain a high level of nursing care through direct delivery of personal, emotional and psychological care for patients.
• Successfully manage clinical emergencies specifically related to palliative care through swift recognition, instigating and carrying out any immediate actions and reporting and sharing information quickly.
• Maintain continuity of patient care through accurate verbal reports and electronic and written documentation.
• Ensure all patient information is electronically recorded in a safe, accurate and contemporaneous manner through familiarity with and daily use of EMIS and Ashtons electronic patient management system and adherence to Hospice IT protocols.
• Provide sensitive and empathetic emotional and psychological support for patients and carers during the delivery of bad news, of terminal care and during and after the event of death.
• Ensure the safety of patients, visitors and other staff by maintaining a safe environment, recognising any hazards and responding appropriately.

About us

As an award-winning employer, Pilgrims provides end of life care services to patients and their families across east Kent. Our commitment is to provide open, compassionate care and expertise for patients and their families both in the community and in-patient units. Our Vision: Of a community where people with a terminal illness, and their family and friends, are supported and empowered to live well in mind and body until the very last moment of their life. Other Benefits include modern working environments, professional development, alignment with NHS pay and pension, discounts, cycle to work scheme, free parking.

Details

• Date posted: 23 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £32,074 to £39,043 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: B0497-26-0023
• Job locations: Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0NE, United Kingdom; Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, 56 London Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8JY, United Kingdom; Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, Ramsgate Road, Margate, Kent CT9 4AD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Job Dimensions

• The post holder will work as part of a team to deliver high quality palliative care in the in-patient unit at either Ashford/Canterbury/Thanet but may be required to work at any of the other sites upon request.
• The post holder will support the operational management by take responsibility for the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager and Ward Sister, ensuring patient care is maintained.
• Although not responsible for a budget, the post holder will be expected to be aware of cost implications and make the best use of valuable resources.
• The post holder will contribute to the learning environment, acting as practice supervisor/assessor to qualified/unqualified colleagues and students, to facilitate and assist in achieving learning objectives.

Nature and scope of the role

• The post holder will be a registered nurse accountable for the direct delivery of patient care within an in-patient unit caring for patients with palliative needs.
• Work will be undertaken in line with Pilgrims Hospice, local and national policy and guidance and the NMC professional codes of conduct.
• The post holder will work within the multidisciplinary team and will influence the decisions of patient care from a nursing perspective. On a day to day basis the post holder will work under indirect supervision making decisions based on best practice and evidence based research.
• Working within a team structure the registered nurse will ensure all incidents, complaints, difficulties and complex situations are documented and any remedial actions taken by the multi-disciplinary. In addition the post holder will ensure the Ward Sister or Ward Manager are notified and aware of such occurrences.

Principle accountabilities and responsibilities

Clinical and professional

• Maintain a high level of nursing care through direct delivery of personal, emotional and psychological care for patients. Through effective assessment of each patients needs and preferences the post holder will plan evidence based nursing care, implement and continuously evaluate the care given and ensure this meets the needs of individualized patient care.
• Undertake patient care as directed in the patients care plan in order to meet each patients care needs whilst maintaining independence as much as possible and maintaining privacy and dignity at all times. This will include for example hygiene and elimination needs, assisting eating and drinking and ensuring nutrition is maintained.
• Successfully manage clinical emergencies specifically related to palliative care through swift recognition, instigating and carrying out any immediate actions and reporting and sharing information quickly.
• Whilst responsible to the ward sister/team leader, the post holder will work competently and confidently without direct supervision to complete delegated work load, including maintaining skill mix and staff planning.
• To maintain effective operation, the post holder will take responsibility for the ward, delegate the workload and supervise trained and untrained staff as needed.
• Maintain continuity of patient care through accurate verbal reports and electronic and written documentation including the use of electronic patient management systems ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.
• Ensure all patient information is electronically recorded in a safe, accurate and contemporaneous manner through familiarity with and daily use of EMIS and Ashtons electronic patient management system and adherence to Hospice IT protocols.
• Expedite successful discharge where appropriate with good quality planning for patients needs.
• Provide sensitive and empathetic emotional and psychological support for patients and carers during the delivery of bad news, of terminal care and during and after the event of death. Ensure high standard of care for patient and carers after death by following appropriate hospice protocols.
• Maintain safe and effective drug administration by administering all medications, and setting up and maintaining subcutaneous syringe drivers according to the Hospice and NMC codes and guidelines.
• Maintain safe nursing practice by attaining and maintaining competency in clinical interventions as set out within the knowledge and skills framework.
• Ensure high standard of care through awareness and implementation of Hospice policies, procedures and guidelines especially in relation to infection control, manual handling, health and safety and fire.

Management

• Ensure the safety of patients, visitors and other staff by maintaining a safe environment, recognising any hazards and responding appropriately.
• Participates in the induction of new staff and facilitates the training of new and existing colleagues through mentorship and supervision as required. In addition is required to act as practice supervisor/assessor for student health professionals, assisting with learning and providing documented evidence as required.
• Contributes to the organization and running of the ward by undertaking administrative tasks as requested i.e. ward staff rota
• Maintain adequate levels of drugs, dressings and general stores by ordering according to hospice practice.
• Promote a high level of consistent nursing care by participating in the development and implementation of clinical policies and protocols.
• Maintain knowledge and skills competencies and high standards of care, through continued professional development set out within the performance management process including annual appraisal, attending and successfully completing mandatory training and reviewing progress with the line manager alongside a personal development plan.
• Provides teaching sessions to ward based colleagues as required, either on an individual basis or small groups as required, e.g. in manual handling, infection control or NVQ modules. These may be pre-planned or impromptu as time allows.
• Facilitate any internal or external research projects by participating and/or auditing as requested by the Ward Manager.

Communications & Relationships

Internal: Nurse Manager and Ward Sister, Lead Nurse Patient Safety and Quality, Consultant, Multi Disciplinary Team, Administrator, Volunteers

External: General practitioners, Community Nurses, Hospital CNS Teams

• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings to provide nursing opinion on patient and clinical issues ensuring that open and focused discussion is practiced.
• Meet with patients carers to address and advise on nursing care, clinical practice, and patient related inquiries. Ensure patients and carers are informed with regard to patient choice, treatment and progress, whilst maintaining respect for the privacy and dignity of the patient.
• Effectively communicate with other agencies to ensure continuity of care between the Hospice, community and continuing care setting.
• Ensure patients understanding and compliance for treatment or intervention is maintained even when communication is impaired, e.g. due to visual, hearing or cognitive impairment by using all verbal and non verbal communication skills.
• Ensure continuity of care by providing effective verbal and written reports on individual patients conditions and any changes in treatment to members of nursing team at handover to next shift and to recognise the need to report to senior nurse or doctor when appropriate.
• Negotiate and advocate on behalf of patients, relatives and staff, providing information that can be difficult for people to understand or can cause distress for example giving pre / post bereavement support, information, advice to patients, families, children, next of kin, friends and recognise the need to refer to other expert counsellors and agencies.
• Ensure effective channels of communication with individuals, the multidisciplinary team, other departments, outside agencies, managers and staff. This can take the form of receiving and acting on information, giving advice, and attending meetings.
• Adopt standards of behaviours in keeping with Pilgrims Hospice mission and core values and the NMC Professional code of conduct.
• Attend meetings within the Hospice, for example ward nursing staff/ multidisciplinary team handover, Health and Safety and relevant meetings and briefings as directed by the Ward Manager.

Education/Training/Teaching

• Ensures own knowledge is up to date, undertaking mandatory training and attending workshops and training courses for the benefit of continued personal development, to learn new skills and increase knowledge.
• Takes responsibility for ensuring that new staff receive support and education during induction and acts as a positive role model.
• Promotes the work of the Hospice through collaborative working with clinical and allied professionals, participating in a multi-professional team working approach to support patients, families and careers irrespective of setting.
• Contributes to the delivery of formal and informal education within Pilgrims Hospices.
• Directly supervise student nurses in the clinical areas acting as a practice supervisor/assessor and assisting learners to achieve learning objectives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level registration
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• Post registration Nursing Course (Palliative Care Dip/Degree, ENB 931, 237 or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Sound experience as registered nurse in specialist palliative care setting or to transfer skills from an associated environment
• Experience with mentoring student/junior nurses.

Desirable

• Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Requirements

Essential

• Must hold valid, unrestricted right to work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship
• Good communication skills
• Organisational and managerial skills
• Teaching skills
• Supervision and staff support skills
• Knowledge of IT and ability to use IT appropriately in the workplace.
• Ability to work in a multi-professional environment
• Flexible approach to working patterns and the changing needs of healthcare
• Knowledge of IT & ability to use IT appropriately in the workplace
• Neat, tidy and professional appearance
• Strong motivation to work at Pilgrims Hospice
• Car Driver / Access to a vehicle

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.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer: Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent

Address: Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0NE, United Kingdom

Employer's website: Apply through our website: https://www.pilgrimshospices.org/jobs