Palliative Care Registered Nurse


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	from £35,779 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Preston, PR5 5XU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	23 Sept 2026
Closing date:	11 Oct 2026

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Summary

Department: Care Directorate Location: St Catherines Hospice Responsible to: Sister/Charge Nurse Salary: £35,779 per annum Please note: As we are currently consulting on future ways of working, some role details may be subject to change following the consultation process. Job Summary The post holder will provide individualised specialist palliative and end of life care to adults with life limiting conditions and support their families within the Care Directorate. Care will be delivered in line with the NMC Code, hospice policies and St Catherines Hospice values of care, compassion and commitment. As the Care Directorate provides services across a 24/7 model, including the Inpatient Unit and community services, a flexible approach is essential. The post holder may be rostered to act as Nurse in Charge, leading the safe and effective coordination of the shift within agreed protocols and escalating to the senior clinical team or on-call manager where required. This role will contribute to teaching, supervision, mentoring, quality improvement and research activity within one of the few University Hospices in the country. Role boundary and leadership expectation The post holder may coordinate the shift and act as Nurse in Charge when rostered. The post holder remains professionally accountable for their own practice and for delegated activity undertaken during the shift. Guide and support the team of Nursing Assistants and Nurse Associate Main Duties and responsibilities Duties include: 1. Clinical Care Assess, plan, implement, evaluate and review patient centred care using a holistic approach that considers physical, psychological, social, spiritual and emotional needs. Deliver safe, compassionate and evidence-based specialist palliative and end of life care in accordance with hospice policies, procedures and professional standards. Identify changes or concerns in a patients condition and discuss these promptly with colleagues, the on-call medical team, Team Leader or senior clinical team as appropriate. Check and administer prescribed medication in line with hospice medicines management policies, procedures and protocols. Maintain accurate, timely and professional patient records in line with data protection requirements, NMC guidance and hospice documentation standards. Promote patient choice, dignity, comfort, privacy and individualised care at all times. Support patients, families and carers with sensitivity, including during deterioration, dying, care after death and bereavement-related conversations. Comply with registration requirements of the NMC and maintain professional revalidation requirements. 2. Nurse in Charge and Shift Coordination Act as Nurse in Charge when rostered, leading the safe and effective running of the shift for that day. Allocate work according to patient acuity, dependency, risk, staff competence and available resources. Guide and support Nursing Assistants and other colleagues on shift, fostering strong teamwork and consistently high standards of patient care. Maintain oversight of admissions, transfers, discharges, bed flow and changing patient needs during the shift. Coordinate communication with the multidisciplinary team, community colleagues, external agencies and on-call services to support continuity of care. Escalate staffing, capacity, safeguarding, medication, infection prevention, clinical deterioration or other safety concerns in a timely way. Ensure effective shift handover and clear communication of key risks, priorities and outstanding actions. Act as Fire Commander or undertake other designated safety roles when rostered and competent to do so. Work within defined limits of authority, seeking advice and support from the Team Leader, senior clinical team or on-call manager where needed. 3. Multidisciplinary Working and Discharge Planning Work as an active member of the hospice and wider multidisciplinary team. Contribute to assessment, care planning, review and discharge planning discussions. Take a lead role in coordinating discharge planning during the shift where appropriate, ensuring communication with patients, families, carers and relevant professionals. Liaise effectively with GPs, community teams, hospitals, social care, ambulance services and other partners as required. Support safe transitions of care, ensuring relevant information is shared appropriately and in line with confidentiality and information governance requirements. Work flexibly across the Care Directorate according to patient need and service requirement. 4. Governance, Safe Practice and Quality Promptly report adverse events, accidents, near misses, medication errors and safety concerns through the Vantage system and in line with hospice procedure. Support a culture of learning, openness and continuous improvement following incidents, feedback or audit findings. Contribute to safer care workstreams, quality improvement, audit, service development and research projects as appropriate to the role. Follow hospice policies and procedures relating to medicines management, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, moving and handling, health and safety, fire safety and clinical documentation. Maintain a working knowledge of relevant CQC expectations, professional standards and hospice governance arrangements as they apply to the role. Identify and escalate risks, including risks related to staffing, patient dependency, safeguarding, clinical care, equipment or the environment. 5. Learning, Development and Supporting Others Maintain and update own clinical knowledge and skills to deliver high quality care. Attend mandatory training, clinical education and development activity required for the role. Participate actively in annual personal development planning, clinical supervision and reflective practice. Support the induction, supervision and learning of Nursing Assistants, students, volunteers and new colleagues within agreed competence and role boundaries. Share knowledge and contribute to a positive learning environment across the Care Directorate. Support community nurses and colleagues under direct supervision or as agreed with the Team Leader or senior clinical team. 6. Communications, Values and Professional Behaviours Communicate effectively, respectfully and sensitively with patients, families, carers, colleagues, volunteers and external professionals. Demonstrate care, compassion, commitment and integrity in actions and behaviours. Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and individual choice in care delivery and team working. Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and a reliable standard of conduct. Be caring, empathic, approachable and willing to work as part of a team. Work flexibly and proactively in response to patient and service needs. Maintain resilience and seek appropriate support when affected by the emotional demands of palliative care. Raise concerns using appropriate routes where patient safety, staff safety or quality of care may be compromised.

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