Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS - Level 2)

Job responsibilities

LocationOakhaven Hospice, Lymington, Hampshire

Hours30 hours

Salary£38,953.20

Closing date3rd August 2025

Interview date11th August 2025

Join a team where compassion meets excellence in end-of-life care.

Oakhaven Hospice is seeking an experienced and dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Level 2 to join our highly respected clinical team. Based in the New Forest, our hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients and families with life-limiting illness, both in the hospice and in the community.

About the Role

As a Level 2 CNS, you will play a vital role in delivering expert clinical leadership and high-quality holistic care. Working autonomously as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will support patients with complex needs, offering specialist advice, symptom management, psychological support, and advance care planning.

Key Responsibilities

Provide expert clinical assessment and management for patients with palliative and end-of-life care needs

• Act as a resource and role model for best practice in palliative care
• Collaborate with GPs, district nurses, hospital teams, and other healthcare professionals
• Support education and development for staff, patients, carers, and the wider community
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives

What Were Looking For:

• Registered Nurse (NMC) with relevant post-registration qualifications in palliative care
• Experience in a palliative care or oncology setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to manage complex clinical situations and lead on decision-making
• Commitment to holistic, person-centred care and shared decision-making
• Non Medical Prescriber (Level 6 or 7)

Why Join Oakhaven Hospice?

• Be part of a passionate, values-driven team committed to dignity, compassion, and respect
• Work in a supportive environment that values your professional growth
• Access to excellent CPD opportunities and clinical supervision
• Generous NHS-equivalent benefits and pension contributions
• Beautiful working environment with free parking and subsidised meals

About us

Oakhaven Hospice serves the community of the New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities providing in-patient, day hospice and community care for patients with life limiting illnesses and support to their families/carers. We are committed to equality of opportunity at Oakhaven. Our mission is to welcome everyone to join us and create inclusive teams, celebrating difference and encourage everyone to be themselves at work.

Benefits

• Holiday: 28 days plus bank holidays (Pro rata for part time employees)
• Long service leave at 5 and 10 years
• Auto enrolment company pension scheme (with ability to retain membership of NHS Pension Scheme subject to qualifying criteria)
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Cash Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme - Help@Hands App from Unum
• Excellent Education & Development Opportunities
• Wellbeing Support
• Clinical supervision
• A truly supportive and caring environment

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Diplomatic
• Calm and objective
• Assertive, confident, yet approachable
• Personally and professionally mature
• Recognition of own limitations
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the hospice ethos
• Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• First Level degree in related subject or undertaking a Degree Pathway.
• Post basic qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject or working towards
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Non-Medical prescribing or prepared to work towards.

Desirable

• Advanced Communications Skills Training or prepared to work towards
• Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards
• Evidence of Masters level learning or prepared to work towards
• Research qualification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registration experience, at Band 6 or above, in cancer, palliative care or the speciality
• Experience of multi-professional working
• Experience of teaching and mentoring
• Evidence of good communications skills
• Ability to support and influence change
• Experience of Line Management

Desirable

• Experience of audit and research
• Leadership and management experience.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• IT literate
• Teaching/assessment and presentation skills
• Organisation and negotiation skills
• Effective communication
• Ability to motivate self and others
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to act as a role model for others
• Flexible attitude to working
• Exemplary written communication skills
• Effective problem solving skills, with the ability to resolve conflict using own judgement
• Ability to present clear written reports and guidelines where necessary

Desirable

• Leadership and motivational skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).