Band 6 Specialist Palliative Care Nurse: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Palliative Care Nurse to join the Specialist Palliative Care team at West Cumberland Hospital, providing high-quality, person-centred care to patients and their families. The role offers the opportunity to develop specialist palliative care skills, working alongside Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), the Consultant in Palliative Medicine and the wider multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of compassionate care across the hospital.

The post holder will manage a clinical caseload, prioritising and responding appropriately to the fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable needs of patients and families. They will work with a high degree of autonomy, using professional judgement and seeking support from senior colleagues when required. The post holder will work flexibly across both hospital sites and provide support to community teams where required, according to the needs of the service.

This would be an ideal role for someone who has some knowledge and experience in palliative care and would like to develop their skills and pursue a specialism in this area of care, supported by an experienced specialist team.

Based at West Cumberland Hospital, the post will support patients with palliative and end-of-life care needs, working closely with the wider clinical team and community services. The role is 30hrs per week, worked over 4 days -Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:30.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high-quality, person-centred specialist palliative care to patients and their families across West Cumberland Hospital.
• Work alongside Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Consultant in Palliative Medicine and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide specialist advice, assessment and support for patients with complex palliative care needs.
• Contribute to the assessment, management and review of patients, supporting effective symptom control, advance care planning and end-of-life care.
• Work collaboratively with hospital teams and community services to support safe, coordinated and timely care and discharge planning.
• Contribute to education, training and mentorship of colleagues within the hospital and wider multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and documentation in line with professional, clinical governance and organisational standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Level 1) with current professional registration.
• Evidence of sustained personal and professional development.
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Post-registration qualification or demonstrable specialist development in palliative care or a relevant field.

Desirable

• Post-registration qualification in palliative care, oncology, advanced communication or another relevant clinical speciality.
• Evidence of undertaking relevant specialist palliative care education or development.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable specialist knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care.
• Experience assessing and managing patients with complex palliative care needs.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, quality improvement and evidence-based practice
• Understanding of multidisciplinary and cross-organisational working
• Ability to apply evidence and professional guidance to practice.
• Experience supporting education, supervision or development of colleagues

Desirable

• Experience of working within a specialist palliative care service.
• Experience of caring for patients with complex palliative and end-of-life care needs.
• Experience of supporting patients and families with advance care planning and complex decision-making.
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries, including acute, community, primary care or hospice settings.
• Experience of supporting or delivering education to other healthcare professionals.
• Experience of participating in clinical audit, service improvement or research.
• Knowledge of current developments and national guidance relating to palliative and end-of-life care.
• Knowledge of advance care planning, treatment escalation planning and end-of-life care
• Knowledge of symptom management and the principles of palliative prescribing.
• Awareness of the wider health and social care system and the role of different services in supporting patients with palliative care needs

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitively in difficult and emotionally challenging situations.
• Ability to work autonomously and prioritise competing demands.
• Sound clinical judgement and recognition of professional limitations.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to contribute to audit, quality improvement and service development.
• Competent IT and electronic record-keeping skills.

Desirable

• Experience or competence in non-medical prescribing.
• Advanced communication skills, including experience of facilitating difficult or complex conversations.
• Experience of using electronic patient record systems and clinical information systems.
• Ability to contribute to quality improvement and service development.

Personal Circumstances

Essential

• Flexible and adaptable to changing service needs
• Self-motivated, compassionate and approachable.
• Able to work effectively in unpredictable and emotionally demanding situations.
• Able to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and professional resilience.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Satisfactory occupational health screening.
• Current driving licence and ability to travel between service locations where required.
• Ability and willingness to work across both hospital sites and provide support to community services where required.
• Ability to travel between service locations as required by the needs of the role.

Closing Date: 22 September 2026