Band 7 Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist; Liver services

Job summary

The CNS will be based in the multi-disciplinary Royal Free Hospital palliative care team, and work jointly within the Hepatology, Liver Transplant and HPB surgery services. The focus of the role is to support Hepatology, Liver Transplant and HPB surgeons and physicians, to identify those patients who are likely in the last year of life — consequent to liver disease — to begin advance care planning, offer symptom management, and reduce futile interventions, provide financial, carer and family support and access to community palliative care services.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests. Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle.

From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

• Date posted: 19 February 2026
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Band:
  Band 7
• Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum Inclusive of HCAS
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full-time
• Reference number: 391‑RFL‑7797740

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, Hampstead

London

NW3 2QG

Responsibilities:

• Accept patient referrals to agreed palliative care criteria and manage own caseload with support of the Hospital Palliative Care Lead Nurse and Consultant Nurse Palliative Care.
• Provide advice, education and support to patients, their carers and other health and social care professionals.
• Contribute to the development and smooth running of the palliative care service for patients with end stage liver disease.
• Work to agreed professional, departmental and Trust boundaries as required to provide patient centred seamless care.
• Take part in the 7 day / week service to hospital patients, and North Camden community patients.
• Maintain key working relationships with the Hepatology, liver transplant and HPB consultants, CNS, and therapists.

• Registered nurse
• Undergraduate degree
• Recognised teaching or mentorship qualification or extensive teaching experience
• Post registration qualification relevant to speciality
• Advanced assessment skills or willingness to undertake
• Independent nurse prescribing course or willingness to undertake

• Demonstrate ability to meet the Trust values

• Expert specialist skills for the post
• Knowledge of current advances and pathways of care relevant to speciality
• Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence
• Skilled in use of computer/keyboard
• Ability to problem‑solve, prioritise and to work to deadlines
• Ability to motivate staff and improve individuals and team performance
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships with multi professional teams
• Demonstrates evidence of knowledge and ability to undertake change management
• Able to manage stressful situations and challenge decisions to ensure that patient needs are met
• Able to lead, manage and motivate others in complex problem solving and assessment skills

• Substantial post‑registration experience in specialist palliative care or in caring for patients with a life limiting illness
• Previous experience of research and audit
• Evidence of education, teaching and mentoring of others.
• Proven evidence of improving the patient experience
• Current experience of line management of staff

• Experience of autonomous working e.g. managing a caseload or nurse led clinics.

• Be a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate credible and professional approach
• Evidence of proven, ongoing professional development
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work as a team and form professional relationships with colleagues
• Diplomatic and calm
• To be flexible and approachable
• To be personally aware and willing to undertake clinical supervision

• Abil…