Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 CNS to work within our highly skilled, motivated and dynamic team. We aim to make a difference and improve the experience of palliative care patients at various stages of their disease trajectory.
The post will be based within the existing inpatient Palliative Care Team. We offer 7 day face to face support to ensure that people with specialist palliative care needs, will receive the best quality care. The team currently consists of 4 palliative consultants’ equivalent to 2.5 WTE, 1 Band 8a Lead Nurse, 4 WTE Band 7 CNS, 1 WTE band 6 Associate CNS, 1 WTE Band 7 Palliative Care Discharge Coordinator.
The Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a specialist clinician with extensive experience and knowledge of caring for patients with advanced life threatening illness. The CNS contributes to the provision of the palliative care service in the acute setting as part of the MDT, working collaboratively with colleagues, patients, carers, other health and social care professionals, statutory, voluntary and independent organisations to ensure optimum patient management.
Main duties of the job
As a senior nurse, the CNS will be expected to:
– manage a caseload autonomously and provide expert advice and support to patients with life limiting illness and potentially facing end of life care issues, and support them and their families, using advanced clinical judgement and knowledge in palliative care.
– participate in providing a 7-day face-to-face service.
– contribute to the weekly Hospital Palliative Care MDT meeting.
– design and deliver specialist palliative care education, as well as end of life care to colleagues and other health and social care professionals.
– take part in regular palliative care team audits and review of clinical practice, to develop research skills and contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary research within palliative care.
– act as a resource, educator and advocate for patients, their carers and healthcare professionals.
– work within statutory legislation and local policies and procedures in relation to palliative care and end of life care.
Person Specification
Education & Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Nursing
- Registered Nurse (RNA)
- Evidence of CPD through maintenance of a portfolio
- Teaching qualification
- Masters Degree in related subject or willing to study this
Desirable
- Physical assessment course
- Advanced Communication skills course
- Non-Medical Prescriber
Others
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to the Equality ACT
- Computer literacy
Desirable
- Car owner / driver
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Skills and knowledge in general palliative care
- Ability to cope with stress/work under pressure
- Ability to manage and prioritise own work load
- Excellent organisational skills
- People management skills/abilities
- Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and sensitively
Desirable
- Up to date knowledge of the speciality of palliative care and its treatments
- Ability to implement new practices and initiatives
- Problem solver
Experience
Essential
- Palliative care experience in relevant field
- Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality issues
- Working in the healthcare sector with relevant oncology /Palliative care or other relevant experience
- Understanding of the palliative patient, family and carers issues and their role in service development
- Experience in working across a variety of settings
Desirable
- Teaching/educating nurses, AHP’s and/or patients
Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential
- Commitment to palliative and end of life care
- Flexible approach to work and able to work weekends
- Willingness to adapt to change for the benefit of patent and family care
- Reliabe, honest and trustworthy
Closing Date: 5 August 2026
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.