St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Advice Line - Clinical Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

St Margaret's Hospice Care has a fantastic opportunity for an Advice Line Clinical Nurse Specialist (ADL CNS) to join our team. This role is based at our Taunton Hospice.

You will join us on a full-time (37.5 hours), permanent basis and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £38,645 - £45,805 per annum, depending on experience.

This role has a working pattern of 7.5-hour shifts, covering the service, 7 days per week on a rota system.

You will work within our advice line team focusing on our referral, triage process and advice line calls.

The role is predominantly telemedicine and will work closely with our central referral centre.

Main duties of the job

  • Working with a team to respond to advice line queries, referrals and action as appropriate.
  • Triaging new referrals, signposting appropriately based on the individual needs, and liaising with other services, internal and external.
  • Supporting and advising patients, using specialist knowledge and skills in physical symptom control, social, emotional and spiritual care.
  • Assess the appropriateness and urgency of referrals seeking further information and advice as appropriate managing expectation and giving clarity to outcome.
  • Conducting home visits as required and feeding back to the community CNS team.

About us

Be part of a welcoming, community minded charity. Our mission is to provide excellent specialist palliative care for patients and support to their families. Everyone here contributes and has a part to play towards our goal. If you speak to any of our staff or volunteers, they will tell you how the patient is at the heart of everything they do. If you're looking for a role where you can really make a difference, we could be a perfect match.

Holiday entitlement

  • 33 days holiday including bank holidays rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)
  • Recognise continuous service for clinical staff paid at band 5+ who join directly from the NHS or another hospice
  • Ability to buy and sell annual leave

Pension scheme

  • NHS employees eligible to continue with their NHS pension scheme*
  • Non-NHS employees will receive 5.5% employer and 5% employee contribution.

Award-winning Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family offering:

  • Vitality & wellbeing health portal for non-emergency care
  • Unlimited access to 24/7 online GP Consultations as well as Expert Case Management
  • Confidential and free 24-hour Employee Assistance
  • Counselling and support
  • Legal, financial, and medical information and advice

And more

  • Life assurance cover
  • Health Cash Plans
  • Blue Light Discount Card
  • Enhanced parental leave*
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton
  • Volunteering and fundraising opportunities

*Eligibility criteria applies

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,645 to £45,805 a year 30% Unsocial Hours on Saturday and 60% on Sunday & bank holidays

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

36-25 - Advice Line CNS

Job locations

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Practice with autonomy and as a resilient team member to support the transition of new models of working and process development
  • Take and analyse a clinical history in a relevant, succinct and logical mannereither remotely or face to face.
  • Triage, assess and plan using specialist skills in palliative/End of Life care.
  • Complete thorough documentation on St Margaret's Hospice's health system i.e. SystemOne.
  • Understand resources available to care and support in the community across the system health and social care model.
  • Independently assess the patients needs, identify their priorities and work with the patient and those close to them towards achieving them.
  • Use physical assessment and clinical reasoning skills as part of patient assessment and to support clinical advice, professional communication and documentation.
  • Perform non-medical prescribing (if holding qualification) within area of competence and practice according to local policy
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the options for achieving control of symptoms and the ability to make safe clinical decisions and offer advice to the primary health care team.
  • Provide information to patients, taking account of their individual needs, taking advice from those who are close to them, colleagues and external professionals where appropriate.
  • Based on the triaging, assessing, planning and implementation of needs, refer to other members of the hospice multi-professional team.
  • Refer/signpost patients and carers to other health and social care professionals where appropriate.
  • Demonstrate an ability to explore the personal resources of families/carers to facilitate where possible that patients are cared for in the place of their choice.
  • Support and coach carers at home in managing a relative whose condition is deteriorating.
  • Understand community medication administration processes and safely administer just in case subcutaneous injections when needed during a visit.
  • Discuss wishes of the person and complete treatment escalation plans (TEP) and advance care planning (ACP). Share information via relevant IT platforms
  • Recognise and manage palliative care emergenciesappropriately following the pathways of escalation.
  • Act as a resource to other professionals, both internally and externally, on specialist palliative care and end of life care issues.
  • As part of triage process, utilise information from various health care systems to gather current, relevant data i.e. Sider, RIO, EPRO, SystemOne.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Practice with autonomy and as a resilient team member to support the transition of new models of working and process development
  • Take and analyse a clinical history in a relevant, succinct and logical mannereither remotely or face to face.
  • Triage, assess and plan using specialist skills in palliative/End of Life care.
  • Complete thorough documentation on St Margaret's Hospice's health system i.e. SystemOne.
  • Understand resources available to care and support in the community across the system health and social care model.
  • Independently assess the patients needs, identify their priorities and work with the patient and those close to them towards achieving them.
  • Use physical assessment and clinical reasoning skills as part of patient assessment and to support clinical advice, professional communication and documentation.
  • Perform non-medical prescribing (if holding qualification) within area of competence and practice according to local policy
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the options for achieving control of symptoms and the ability to make safe clinical decisions and offer advice to the primary health care team.
  • Provide information to patients, taking account of their individual needs, taking advice from those who are close to them, colleagues and external professionals where appropriate.
  • Based on the triaging, assessing, planning and implementation of needs, refer to other members of the hospice multi-professional team.
  • Refer/signpost patients and carers to other health and social care professionals where appropriate.
  • Demonstrate an ability to explore the personal resources of families/carers to facilitate where possible that patients are cared for in the place of their choice.
  • Support and coach carers at home in managing a relative whose condition is deteriorating.
  • Understand community medication administration processes and safely administer just in case subcutaneous injections when needed during a visit.
  • Discuss wishes of the person and complete treatment escalation plans (TEP) and advance care planning (ACP). Share information via relevant IT platforms
  • Recognise and manage palliative care emergenciesappropriately following the pathways of escalation.
  • Act as a resource to other professionals, both internally and externally, on specialist palliative care and end of life care issues.
  • As part of triage process, utilise information from various health care systems to gather current, relevant data i.e. Sider, RIO, EPRO, SystemOne.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (NMC register)
  • RN1 Degree level or equivalent study in related subject, such as acute oncology, palliative care, chronic conditions management (or willing to work towards).
  • Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards.
  • Experience in telemedicine/triage
  • Commitment to continuing education and professional development
  • Post qualification to degree level with a willingness to work to master's level
  • Independent prescriber or willingness to undertake & practice
  • Experience in working to a high standard of Palliative & EOL care supported by post registration certificate (or willingness to work towards)
  • Hold current drivers licence as the role requires undertaking home visits

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescribing qualification
  • Advanced Communication skills including negotiation and diplomacy skills
  • Physical assessment and clinical reasoning (PACR)
  • Managing Qualification
  • Post grad Community Specialist qualification
  • Project management and quality initiative experience

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Recognises own limitations.
  • Ability to work flexibly and respond to changing or conflicting priorities.
  • Effectively manages multiple tasks and priorities
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Work within a framework of resilience

Working with others

Essential

  • Calm and objective.
  • Is assertive not aggressive
  • Treats confidential information sensitively and in line with policy
  • Positive role model to the team and service.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, the ability to relate to a diverse range of people.

Outcome and Results

Essential

  • Ability to work autonomously
  • Managing time, work commitments and priorities.
  • Recognises and understands own roles and responsibilities
  • Able to prioritise and respond appropriately.
  • Shares and communicates information

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Relevant post-registration experience in cancer, palliative care or relevant speciality.
  • In-depth specialist experience in care of patients with complex needs.
  • Experience of mentorship and teaching
  • Computer literate, able to use word documents, database and e-mail communication.
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (NMC register)
  • RN1 Degree level or equivalent study in related subject, such as acute oncology, palliative care, chronic conditions management (or willing to work towards).
  • Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards.
  • Experience in telemedicine/triage
  • Commitment to continuing education and professional development
  • Post qualification to degree level with a willingness to work to master's level
  • Independent prescriber or willingness to undertake & practice
  • Experience in working to a high standard of Palliative & EOL care supported by post registration certificate (or willingness to work towards)
  • Hold current drivers licence as the role requires undertaking home visits

Desirable

  • Non-medical prescribing qualification
  • Advanced Communication skills including negotiation and diplomacy skills
  • Physical assessment and clinical reasoning (PACR)
  • Managing Qualification
  • Post grad Community Specialist qualification
  • Project management and quality initiative experience

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Recognises own limitations.
  • Ability to work flexibly and respond to changing or conflicting priorities.
  • Effectively manages multiple tasks and priorities
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Work within a framework of resilience

Working with others

Essential

  • Calm and objective.
  • Is assertive not aggressive
  • Treats confidential information sensitively and in line with policy
  • Positive role model to the team and service.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, the ability to relate to a diverse range of people.

Outcome and Results

Essential

  • Ability to work autonomously
  • Managing time, work commitments and priorities.
  • Recognises and understands own roles and responsibilities
  • Able to prioritise and respond appropriately.
  • Shares and communicates information

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Relevant post-registration experience in cancer, palliative care or relevant speciality.
  • In-depth specialist experience in care of patients with complex needs.
  • Experience of mentorship and teaching
  • Computer literate, able to use word documents, database and e-mail communication.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Countywide Community Team Lead

Colleen Gagg

Colleen.Gagg@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk

01823333822

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,645 to £45,805 a year 30% Unsocial Hours on Saturday and 60% on Sunday & bank holidays

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

36-25 - Advice Line CNS

Job locations

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Supporting documents

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