Job summary
37.5 Hours per week
£30,569 per annum rising to £38,085
Permanent
We can't change what is going to happen, but we can change how it happens.
Make a real difference to people's lives.
Our Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) support palliative patients with often complex needs in the community. Working with other community services as well as hospice colleagues, they help to manage symptoms and provide emotional, psychological and social support to both the patient and those supporting them.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join this amazing team in a developmental role capacity.
You will gain experience and knowledge through shadowing the team, following a comprehensive training programme and managing a caseload.
The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients in their own homes, so teamwork is important as well as the ability to travel across South Devon.
You would be fully supported by a senior CNS throughout your development.
Starting in Band D rising to Band E, once training and competent in role which will take approximately 3 years to complete.
Main duties of the job
What you'll bring
To be successful in this role you will need to be a Registered Nurse, passionate about palliative care, have excellent communication skills and the drive to learn and develop.
Our values are important to us and we expect our staff to base their work ethic around them. We have our goals and to deliver on our strategy takes real teamwork, energy and passion, no two days are ever the same!
What's in it for you?
You will be supported and encouraged to innovate and to try new things. Our scope of work and our confident organisational vision creates opportunities for progress and development. And we work together with passion and pride in an environment where people are caring, considerate, inclusive and welcoming. It can be tough. We don't shy away from that. But you'll see clearly the importance and impact of your work and feel recognised and part of something remarkable.
About us
Working at Rowcroft Hospice
Rowcroft Hospice is an independent charity that provides comfort, support and specialist care to over 2,000 patients and their loved ones across South Devon each year. Our Vision is to make every day the best day possible for patients, and those closest to them, living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon.
For more Information
Please see below to download the Job Description and Person Specification for this role.
For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact Tracey Hurley, CNS Team Leader, on 01803 217623or tracey.hurley@rowcrofthospice.org.uk or Karenne Weaver, Head of Community and Hospice at Home, on 01803 217638 or karenne.weaver@rowcrofthospice.org.uk
Closing date: 11:59pm Sunday 27 July 2025
Interview date: To be confirmed
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job purpose: Our
Vision is to make every day the best day possible for patients, and those
closest to them, living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), you
will deliver this by delivering effective symptom management, emotional and
psychological support and referring to appropriate health and social care
colleagues both in the organisation and in the wider community.
Our
Values:
Honesty & Integrity Generosity of Spirit Respect Team Player
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Take reasonable care for your own safety and the
safety of others. Adhere to all Health
& Safety requirements, including Covid-19 secure processes and procedures.
- Work towards holding your own community caseload
under the supervision of one of the Band E CNSs and CNS team leader. It is
intended that you would progress to a Band E CNS position within 3 years, by completing
a comprehensive training programme, see below.
- Attend the recommended learning (symptom
management module, leadership module, Non-medical prescribing and Rowcroft
Facility Program).
- Accurately assess patients needs for pain and
symptom control with support.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the effects of
prescribed treatment and, in consultation with medical teams and CNS colleagues,
ensure appropriate adjustments are made to ensure patients receive the most
effective palliative care possible.
- Provide direct care for people with advanced
illness who have complex needs, and their families with support.
- Maintain and develop effective communication and
working relationships with healthcare professionals and other related agencies
to ensure a seamless service for patients, promoting best practice in
palliative care.
- Provide psychological support for patients and
their families using recognised models to identify specific needs and make
appropriate referrals to other professionals as required.
- Identify
your own learning and development needs undertake continuous professional
development and actively engage in clinical supervision, maintaining an
objective and innovative practice.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and
development and wellbeing, help
to create an environment that is continually critically questioning practice
and promoting learning.
- Be
a safe practitioner, adhere to the standards required of a clinical nurse
specialist and work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of
Professional Conduct. Ensure standards of nursing are maintained, recognising
the importance of attention to the Clinical Nurse Specialist JD to detail all
aspects of personalised patient care and the administration and security of
drugs.
- Maintain
safe and accurate documentation in the electronic patient care record, incident
reporting system and shared care records.
- To
contribute towards service development which may include audit, policy reviews
and participation in learning activities.
- Play an active part in team meetings and ensure
your mandatory and other relevant training is kept up-to-date.
This list can never be exhaustive but covers most
of the work youll be doing - always with talent, initiative and a commitment
to great customer service.
Infection
Prevention
All Rowcroft Hospice employees in both clinical
and non-clinical roles are required to adhere to theInfection Prevention
and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of
infection control at all times to reduce the burden of Healthcare Associated
Infections including MRSA.
You
agree to the following responsibilities:
- To decontaminate your hands prior to and after
direct patient care or contact with the patient's surroundings;
- To take part in mandatory infection control
training provided;
- To responsibly manage your own infections (other
than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients, including
to contact Occupational Health for guidance.
Place
of Work
This
role has been identified as a Field
worker (role could be carried out at a Rowcroft site or other location,
including home, subject to the varying needs of the role. Will spend planned time at Rowcroft sites or
other locations as the role requires which could include patient homes and
Rowcroft and non-Rowcroft locations to meet the needs of the service).
This will be fully discussed and agreed with the
postholder to meet individual and business needs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job purpose: Our
Vision is to make every day the best day possible for patients, and those
closest to them, living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), you
will deliver this by delivering effective symptom management, emotional and
psychological support and referring to appropriate health and social care
colleagues both in the organisation and in the wider community.
Our
Values:
Honesty & Integrity Generosity of Spirit Respect Team Player
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Take reasonable care for your own safety and the
safety of others. Adhere to all Health
& Safety requirements, including Covid-19 secure processes and procedures.
- Work towards holding your own community caseload
under the supervision of one of the Band E CNSs and CNS team leader. It is
intended that you would progress to a Band E CNS position within 3 years, by completing
a comprehensive training programme, see below.
- Attend the recommended learning (symptom
management module, leadership module, Non-medical prescribing and Rowcroft
Facility Program).
- Accurately assess patients needs for pain and
symptom control with support.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the effects of
prescribed treatment and, in consultation with medical teams and CNS colleagues,
ensure appropriate adjustments are made to ensure patients receive the most
effective palliative care possible.
- Provide direct care for people with advanced
illness who have complex needs, and their families with support.
- Maintain and develop effective communication and
working relationships with healthcare professionals and other related agencies
to ensure a seamless service for patients, promoting best practice in
palliative care.
- Provide psychological support for patients and
their families using recognised models to identify specific needs and make
appropriate referrals to other professionals as required.
- Identify
your own learning and development needs undertake continuous professional
development and actively engage in clinical supervision, maintaining an
objective and innovative practice.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and
development and wellbeing, help
to create an environment that is continually critically questioning practice
and promoting learning.
- Be
a safe practitioner, adhere to the standards required of a clinical nurse
specialist and work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of
Professional Conduct. Ensure standards of nursing are maintained, recognising
the importance of attention to the Clinical Nurse Specialist JD to detail all
aspects of personalised patient care and the administration and security of
drugs.
- Maintain
safe and accurate documentation in the electronic patient care record, incident
reporting system and shared care records.
- To
contribute towards service development which may include audit, policy reviews
and participation in learning activities.
- Play an active part in team meetings and ensure
your mandatory and other relevant training is kept up-to-date.
This list can never be exhaustive but covers most
of the work youll be doing - always with talent, initiative and a commitment
to great customer service.
Infection
Prevention
All Rowcroft Hospice employees in both clinical
and non-clinical roles are required to adhere to theInfection Prevention
and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of
infection control at all times to reduce the burden of Healthcare Associated
Infections including MRSA.
You
agree to the following responsibilities:
- To decontaminate your hands prior to and after
direct patient care or contact with the patient's surroundings;
- To take part in mandatory infection control
training provided;
- To responsibly manage your own infections (other
than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients, including
to contact Occupational Health for guidance.
Place
of Work
This
role has been identified as a Field
worker (role could be carried out at a Rowcroft site or other location,
including home, subject to the varying needs of the role. Will spend planned time at Rowcroft sites or
other locations as the role requires which could include patient homes and
Rowcroft and non-Rowcroft locations to meet the needs of the service).
This will be fully discussed and agreed with the
postholder to meet individual and business needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse.
- A relevant first degree, or a demonstratable commitment to work towards the completion of agreed elements at degree level.
Desirable
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills and have the ability to have difficult conversations.
- Good IT skills.
- Knowledge and skills to evaluate research and ensure evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within Primary Health Care Teams and as part of a multiprofessional specialist team.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of holistic person-centred assessment.
Desirable
- Knowledge in end of life and complex symptom control care.
- Able to effectively manage multiple demands upon your time.
- Completed an advanced communication course.
Experience
Essential
- Previous Hospice or specialist palliative care experience.
Desirable
- 1 year experience post registration.
- Experience in community nursing.
Personal Requirements
Essential
- Leadership through creative problem solving, a positive can-do attitude and a willingness and desire to ensure all who come into contact with Rowcroft have the best possible experience.
- Proven ability to be part of a committed and hardworking team in line with the ethics and values of Rowcroft Hospice, acting in the best interests of Rowcroft at all times.
- A good understanding of the purpose, values and strategy of Rowcroft Hospice.
- Willing and able to volunteer for at least one Rowcroft event each year.
- Ability to travel across South Devon.
- A commitment and ability to continually learn and develop.
- Initiative and vision to provide excellent quality care to our patients and families and support team development.
- Remain calm in difficult situations and act in a professional manner.
- Be flexible in your approach to patients wishes.
Desirable
- The motivation to provide education to Rowcroft staff and external agencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse.
- A relevant first degree, or a demonstratable commitment to work towards the completion of agreed elements at degree level.
Desirable
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills and have the ability to have difficult conversations.
- Good IT skills.
- Knowledge and skills to evaluate research and ensure evidence-based practice.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within Primary Health Care Teams and as part of a multiprofessional specialist team.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of holistic person-centred assessment.
Desirable
- Knowledge in end of life and complex symptom control care.
- Able to effectively manage multiple demands upon your time.
- Completed an advanced communication course.
Experience
Essential
- Previous Hospice or specialist palliative care experience.
Desirable
- 1 year experience post registration.
- Experience in community nursing.
Personal Requirements
Essential
- Leadership through creative problem solving, a positive can-do attitude and a willingness and desire to ensure all who come into contact with Rowcroft have the best possible experience.
- Proven ability to be part of a committed and hardworking team in line with the ethics and values of Rowcroft Hospice, acting in the best interests of Rowcroft at all times.
- A good understanding of the purpose, values and strategy of Rowcroft Hospice.
- Willing and able to volunteer for at least one Rowcroft event each year.
- Ability to travel across South Devon.
- A commitment and ability to continually learn and develop.
- Initiative and vision to provide excellent quality care to our patients and families and support team development.
- Remain calm in difficult situations and act in a professional manner.
- Be flexible in your approach to patients wishes.
Desirable
- The motivation to provide education to Rowcroft staff and external agencies.
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).
