Job summary
Join Our Team as a Staff Nurse In-patient Unit (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover)
Do you want to make a real difference to patients and families when they need it most? Are you passionate about delivering compassionate, high-quality palliative care?
Barnsley Hospice is seeking a motivated Staff Nurse to join our In-patient Unit on a fixed-term contract from April 2026 to April 2027 to cover maternity leave.
You will work within a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care, taking responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating personalised care for a designated group of patients. You will deliver high-quality, evidence-based nursing care, coordinate care throughout your shift, support safe admissions and discharges, ensure effective communication to maintain continuity of care, act as a role model for students and volunteers, and uphold professional standards in line with NMC guidance.
We are looking for a Registered Nurse with current NMC registration and recent post-registration experience, strong clinical decision-making skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to continuous professional development. You will share our values of Ambition, Collaboration, Compassion and Integrity.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties
& Responsibilities:
- Assess,
plan, implement, and evaluate personalised, evidence-based care
- Work collaboratively with the
multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care
- Manage and deliver care for a designated
group of patients during your shift
- Support safe admissions and discharges
- Maintain accurate patient records in
line with hospice and NMC guidelines
- Communicate effectively with colleagues
to ensure continuity of care
- Act as a role model for students,
volunteers, and junior staff
- Support education, training, and
guidance for colleagues and carers
- Report incidents, near misses, and
complaints appropriately
- Uphold professional standards and
maintain competence in clinical skills, including safe medication management
- Take responsibility for own continuous
professional development (CPD)
About us
Barnsley
Hospice is a local charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life
care, supporting hundreds of patients and their families each year. We focus on
quality of life, offering pain and symptom management, emotional support, and
compassionate care. With around 100 staff and a team of volunteers, we deliver
services from the hospice and our Retail Hub.
We are
committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and welcome applications from
all sections of the community, particularly Black, Asian and minority ethnic
candidates, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities, as we aim to
increase representation across our organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Quality, Safety & Effectiveness
- Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Care You will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care for patients, using evidence-based guidelines to ensure that the care delivered meets the highest standards of clinical practice and patient safety. This includes continuously monitoring and reviewing care plans to ensure they remain appropriate to the patients changing needs.
- Collaborative Multidisciplinary Working Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team including doctors, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, high-quality care. Ensure effective communication within the team to promote the best outcomes for patients.
- Record Keeping and Documentation Maintain all records accurately and comprehensively, in line with Barnsley Hospice policies and procedures, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines. Documentation should reflect the care provided, any changes in patient condition, and relevant communications with colleagues and families.
- Clinical Care Delivery Carry out all aspects of clinical care in accordance with Barnsley Hospice policies and procedures, ensuring that interventions are safe, effective, and appropriate to the patients needs. This includes medication administration, symptom management, and personal care.
- Admissions and Discharges Assist in the organisation and coordination of admissions and discharges, ensuring that all processes are smooth, safe, and patient-centred. Provide support to patients and families during transitions in care.
- Patient Management During Shift Take responsibility for the management and delivery of high-quality care to a designated group of patients and their families during each shift, ensuring care plans are followed and that patients needs, wishes, and preferences are central to all care decisions.
- Professional Accountability Adhere to and be professionally accountable to the NMC Code of Conduct, Standards of Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives, and be conversant with the Scope of Professional Practice. Demonstrate professional behaviour, integrity, and accountability at all times.
- Continuity of Care Ensure continuity of patient care by communicating effectively and liaising with medical, nursing, and other colleagues, providing accurate and timely reports of any changes in patient condition.
- Patient Records Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date patient records, ensuring that documentation supports continuity of care, clinical decision-making, and organisational requirements.
Governance & Leadership
- Role Modelling Act as a positive role model for students, volunteers, and colleagues, demonstrating high standards of practice, professionalism, and compassionate care.
- Education and Guidance Support the education, training, demonstration, and guidance of carers, colleagues, and students as required, contributing to workforce development and the promotion of best practice.
- Team Collaboration Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team, supporting the teams objectives, and fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and shared responsibility for patient outcomes.
- Reporting Staff Concerns Report any staff-related concerns, issues, or incidents to the senior nurse on shift promptly, ensuring timely escalation and appropriate follow-up.
Workforce Development & Professional Standards
- Service Support Contribute to the smooth running of the service by supporting all members of the nursing team whilst on shift, assisting with workflow management, delegation, and coordination of tasks.
- Communication Across Departments Maintain good communication and liaison with all internal and external departments to ensure seamless care delivery, coordination of services, and professional working relationships.
- Incident and Complaint Management Ensure that any incidents, near misses, and complaints are reported appropriately and in line with hospice policies and procedures.
- Recognition of Good Practice Ensure that compliments, positive feedback, and examples of good practice are recognised, celebrated, and shared appropriately with colleagues and the wider team.
- Evidence-Based Practice Ensure that work is delivered to a high standard through the adoption of evidence-based practices, staying current with best practice, clinical guidelines, and research developments relevant to palliative care nursing.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Take responsibility for your own CPD, ensuring that clinical skills, knowledge, and professional competence are maintained, updated, and evidenced regularly.
- Clinical Competence Ensure competence in all clinical skills required for the role, demonstrating proficiency and confidence in care delivery, decision-making, and patient management.
- Medication Management Maintain a high level of knowledge, skill, and competence in medication management, safely administering medications in line with hospice policies and procedures, and adhering to relevant professional guidance.
Other Responsibilities
- Additional Duties Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by the hospice, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in response to service needs.
- Ambassador of the Hospice Act as an ambassador for Barnsley Hospice, demonstrating honesty, integrity, professionalism, and trustworthiness in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues, and the wider community.
- Confidentiality Maintain strict confidentiality at all times, ensuring that patient, staff, and organisational information is protected in line with legal and organisational requirements.
- Health, Safety & Fire Precautions Be aware of and apply health and safety and fire precaution measures, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors at all times.
- Risk Management & Safeguarding Ensure that clinical risk management, safeguarding procedures, and relevant good practice guidelines are followed consistently to protect patients, families, and colleagues.
- Data Protection Ensure compliance with data protection regulations, maintaining the security and confidentiality of all personal and sensitive information.
- Flexible Working Be flexible in terms of working hours to meet the needs of the service, including supporting shift patterns, cover requirements, and operational priorities.
- Support Across Duties Support the hospice across a range of duties appropriate to the grading of the post, contributing to service delivery and organisational objectives.
Note: In the context of rapid and ongoing change within the hospice, these responsibilities represent the current priorities and requirements for the post. They will develop and evolve over time, and any significant changes will be communicated and consulted on with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Quality, Safety & Effectiveness
- Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Care You will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care for patients, using evidence-based guidelines to ensure that the care delivered meets the highest standards of clinical practice and patient safety. This includes continuously monitoring and reviewing care plans to ensure they remain appropriate to the patients changing needs.
- Collaborative Multidisciplinary Working Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team including doctors, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, high-quality care. Ensure effective communication within the team to promote the best outcomes for patients.
- Record Keeping and Documentation Maintain all records accurately and comprehensively, in line with Barnsley Hospice policies and procedures, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines. Documentation should reflect the care provided, any changes in patient condition, and relevant communications with colleagues and families.
- Clinical Care Delivery Carry out all aspects of clinical care in accordance with Barnsley Hospice policies and procedures, ensuring that interventions are safe, effective, and appropriate to the patients needs. This includes medication administration, symptom management, and personal care.
- Admissions and Discharges Assist in the organisation and coordination of admissions and discharges, ensuring that all processes are smooth, safe, and patient-centred. Provide support to patients and families during transitions in care.
- Patient Management During Shift Take responsibility for the management and delivery of high-quality care to a designated group of patients and their families during each shift, ensuring care plans are followed and that patients needs, wishes, and preferences are central to all care decisions.
- Professional Accountability Adhere to and be professionally accountable to the NMC Code of Conduct, Standards of Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives, and be conversant with the Scope of Professional Practice. Demonstrate professional behaviour, integrity, and accountability at all times.
- Continuity of Care Ensure continuity of patient care by communicating effectively and liaising with medical, nursing, and other colleagues, providing accurate and timely reports of any changes in patient condition.
- Patient Records Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date patient records, ensuring that documentation supports continuity of care, clinical decision-making, and organisational requirements.
Governance & Leadership
- Role Modelling Act as a positive role model for students, volunteers, and colleagues, demonstrating high standards of practice, professionalism, and compassionate care.
- Education and Guidance Support the education, training, demonstration, and guidance of carers, colleagues, and students as required, contributing to workforce development and the promotion of best practice.
- Team Collaboration Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team, supporting the teams objectives, and fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and shared responsibility for patient outcomes.
- Reporting Staff Concerns Report any staff-related concerns, issues, or incidents to the senior nurse on shift promptly, ensuring timely escalation and appropriate follow-up.
Workforce Development & Professional Standards
- Service Support Contribute to the smooth running of the service by supporting all members of the nursing team whilst on shift, assisting with workflow management, delegation, and coordination of tasks.
- Communication Across Departments Maintain good communication and liaison with all internal and external departments to ensure seamless care delivery, coordination of services, and professional working relationships.
- Incident and Complaint Management Ensure that any incidents, near misses, and complaints are reported appropriately and in line with hospice policies and procedures.
- Recognition of Good Practice Ensure that compliments, positive feedback, and examples of good practice are recognised, celebrated, and shared appropriately with colleagues and the wider team.
- Evidence-Based Practice Ensure that work is delivered to a high standard through the adoption of evidence-based practices, staying current with best practice, clinical guidelines, and research developments relevant to palliative care nursing.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Take responsibility for your own CPD, ensuring that clinical skills, knowledge, and professional competence are maintained, updated, and evidenced regularly.
- Clinical Competence Ensure competence in all clinical skills required for the role, demonstrating proficiency and confidence in care delivery, decision-making, and patient management.
- Medication Management Maintain a high level of knowledge, skill, and competence in medication management, safely administering medications in line with hospice policies and procedures, and adhering to relevant professional guidance.
Other Responsibilities
- Additional Duties Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by the hospice, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in response to service needs.
- Ambassador of the Hospice Act as an ambassador for Barnsley Hospice, demonstrating honesty, integrity, professionalism, and trustworthiness in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues, and the wider community.
- Confidentiality Maintain strict confidentiality at all times, ensuring that patient, staff, and organisational information is protected in line with legal and organisational requirements.
- Health, Safety & Fire Precautions Be aware of and apply health and safety and fire precaution measures, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors at all times.
- Risk Management & Safeguarding Ensure that clinical risk management, safeguarding procedures, and relevant good practice guidelines are followed consistently to protect patients, families, and colleagues.
- Data Protection Ensure compliance with data protection regulations, maintaining the security and confidentiality of all personal and sensitive information.
- Flexible Working Be flexible in terms of working hours to meet the needs of the service, including supporting shift patterns, cover requirements, and operational priorities.
- Support Across Duties Support the hospice across a range of duties appropriate to the grading of the post, contributing to service delivery and organisational objectives.
Note: In the context of rapid and ongoing change within the hospice, these responsibilities represent the current priorities and requirements for the post. They will develop and evolve over time, and any significant changes will be communicated and consulted on with the post holder.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Essential Experience Criteria:
- Recent post-registration experience in nursing practice
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience supervising the work of others, including delegating workload and monitoring progress
- Experience of delivering evidence-based clinical care
- Experience in palliative or end-of-life care (desirable but preferable)
- Experience maintaining accurate patient records in line with professional standards
- Experience in managing patient admissions and discharges
- Experience supporting and mentoring students or junior staff
Desirable
- Desirable Experience Criteria:
- Experience of working in palliative or end-of-life care
- Experience of caring for patients with complex or life-limiting conditions
- Experience supporting families and carers of patients
- Experience in specialist nursing environments (e.g., hospice, oncology, community palliative care)
- Experience mentoring or providing informal teaching to students or junior staff
- Experience contributing to service improvements or quality initiatives
- Experience in administration of specialist medications or symptom management
- Experience using IT systems for patient records and reporting
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Essential Experience Criteria:
- Recent post-registration experience in nursing practice
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience supervising the work of others, including delegating workload and monitoring progress
- Experience of delivering evidence-based clinical care
- Experience in palliative or end-of-life care (desirable but preferable)
- Experience maintaining accurate patient records in line with professional standards
- Experience in managing patient admissions and discharges
- Experience supporting and mentoring students or junior staff
Desirable
- Desirable Experience Criteria:
- Experience of working in palliative or end-of-life care
- Experience of caring for patients with complex or life-limiting conditions
- Experience supporting families and carers of patients
- Experience in specialist nursing environments (e.g., hospice, oncology, community palliative care)
- Experience mentoring or providing informal teaching to students or junior staff
- Experience contributing to service improvements or quality initiatives
- Experience in administration of specialist medications or symptom management
- Experience using IT systems for patient records and reporting
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).
Additional information
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).
