Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

Band
6. Permanent. Full time (37.5 hrs/week) and part time (30 hrs/week). Salary £38,682 – £46,580 per annum (pro‑rate).

Location:

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Huddersfield.

Employer:

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT).

CHFT is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, regardless of protected characteristics.

The role is with a specialist palliative care team providing high‑quality care in acute and community settings across two hospital sites and the community. It involves advanced nursing assessment, intervention and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

• Provide specialist palliative care advice to clinical teams.
• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments of patients’ physical, social, emotional and psychological needs, developing and evaluating care plans.
• Use advanced communication skills to give information, advice and support to patients, carers and staff.
• Facilitate timely investigations, referrals and management of palliative care needs.
• Involve patients, families and carers in planning and delivery of care.
• Monitor investigation results and adjust treatment pathways.
• Coordinate with service areas to ensure timely review and treatment of patients.
• Provide guidance for decisions about preferred place of care and advance care planning.
• Utilise independent prescribing skills in accordance with clinical governance.
• Support service development and quality improvement activities, including audit.
• Maintain own clinical caseload, prioritise and work flexibly to meet changing needs.
• Participate in service reviews and strategy development with the specialist palliative care team.
• Act as a role model for quality nursing care and patient advocacy.

• Ensure adherence to CHFT protocols, policies and directives within service delivery.
• Collaborate with other professionals to provide holistic nursing assessment, care planning and referrals.
• Ensure continuity of care across all settings by liaising with relevant teams.
• Assist in the review and development of protocols and policies.
• Engage in meetings and communication channels within the team.
• Support the Trust’s annual plan, strategic vision and cost‑efficiency programme.

• Act as a role model for quality nursing care at all times.
• Act as a patient advocate throughout the care pathway.
• Comply with the NMC Code of Conduct and national, local and professional standards.

• Registered General Nurse (RGN).
• Degree level studies, or willingness to progress to a relevant Masters level degree.
• Teaching qualification.

• Community and acute hospital experience.
• Recent experience caring for patients with cancer, palliative care or end‑of‑life needs.
• Evidence of skills in assessment and management of palliative care needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Training in specialist palliative care patient support.
• Understanding of audit processes and implementation of findings.

• Knowledge and skills in cancer/palliative care nursing and symptom management.
• Advanced communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate caseloads and workload demands.