Job summary
The
Clinical Lead will provide senior clinical leadership across Rowans services,
including the In-Patient Unit, Hospice at Home, Living Well Services, Discharge
Team, and our Palliative Care Support Hub. The post holder will provide
continuity of leadership, decision making, direction setting, and appropriate
challenge to the clinical directorate. The role includes both leadership and
some direct clinical practice, with in-reach to the Emergency Department
alongside our Emergency End of Life Response Service and providing telephone
support via the Palliative Care Support Hub to professionals and the public.
The
post holder will be responsible for the line management and professional
development of Senior Clinical managers; there is a requirement for the post
holder to be an experienced and credible clinician with relevant and up to date
knowledge of palliative and end of life care issues.
Reporting
to theClinical Director, you will play a key role in delivering Rowans
Clinical Strategy and supporting our Strategic Plan alongside our clinical
priorities, ensuring we continue to provide the highest standards of
holistic, person-centred palliative care.
We
are proud of our CQC Outstanding status, reflecting our
compassionate, innovative, and high-quality approach to care.
For further information or to apply please visit our website:
Clinical Lead - Rowans Hospice
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Registered Nurse with extensive expertise in palliative care to lead, influence, and develop services at Rowans Hospice.
You will:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to clinical teams.
- Hold direct line-management responsibilities.
- Drive service development and quality improvement in line with national frameworks.
- Champion person-centred care and support staff wellbeing, resilience, and professional growth.
- Act as a clinical resource and role model, working in partnership with patients, families, NHS colleagues, and community partners.
- Act as an ambassador for the Hospice, ensuring the voice of patients and carers is heard and informs service development.
- Collaborate with NHS, statutory, and voluntary partners to ensure a joined-up approach to meeting the palliative needs of the local community.
- Be the point of escalation for clinical matters, providing advice and support to clinical staff and deputising for the Clinical Director as required.
About us
Rowans Hospice is a charity that provides
free care and support to adults and their families living in the Portsmouth and
South East Hampshire region who have a life-limiting illness. Established in
1994, our income is generated by ongoing support of the local community,
donations, legacies, fundraising and through our retail shops.
Many people think that hospices are all
about dying, but through our many different services, we support people to live
as well as they can with their illness. From the moment of diagnosis through to
bereavement support. Our Living Well Services put an emphasis on living with a
life-limiting illness and patients and carers can drop in and gain advice and
support to maintain individuals resilience.
The Hospice is also supported by an
assembly of volunteers, from various backgrounds and ages who are crucial in
supporting the teams to ensure people live well to the end of their life and
attain a good death within a caring and compassionate environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Governance
- Lead the delivery of safe, evidence-based, holistic palliative care across all services.
- Ensure compliance with CQC, NICE, and clinical governance standards.
- Act as deputy Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer.
- Promote reflective practice, clinical debriefs, and continuous quality improvement.
Operational Management
- Provide day-to-day operational support, ensuring safe staffing and effective rotas.
- Lead recruitment, induction, and performance management of staff.
- Chair clinical management and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
- Manage complaints, incidents, and safeguarding concerns appropriately with relevant leads.
- Use leadership techniques to challenge professional standards and drive positive change.
Workforce Development & Culture
- Support staff learning, development, and resilience.
- Mentor and develop senior clinical leads and emerging leaders.
- Foster a positive, compassionate, and collaborative workplace culture.
- Ensure staff feel empowered, listened to, and supported to raise concerns and contribute to improvements.
Quality & Compliance
- Monitor and audit clinical outcomes, record keeping, and medicines management.
- Embed robust risk management and health & safety practices.
- Ensure confidentiality and GDPR compliance in line with Caldicott principles.
Strategic & Partnership Working
- Work with the Clinical Director to deliver Rowans Clinical Strategy and operational priorities.
- Contribute to business planning, KPI development, and budget management.
- Build effective partnerships with NHS Trusts, Primary Care, other Hospices, and voluntary sector organisations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Governance
- Lead the delivery of safe, evidence-based, holistic palliative care across all services.
- Ensure compliance with CQC, NICE, and clinical governance standards.
- Act as deputy Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer.
- Promote reflective practice, clinical debriefs, and continuous quality improvement.
Operational Management
- Provide day-to-day operational support, ensuring safe staffing and effective rotas.
- Lead recruitment, induction, and performance management of staff.
- Chair clinical management and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
- Manage complaints, incidents, and safeguarding concerns appropriately with relevant leads.
- Use leadership techniques to challenge professional standards and drive positive change.
Workforce Development & Culture
- Support staff learning, development, and resilience.
- Mentor and develop senior clinical leads and emerging leaders.
- Foster a positive, compassionate, and collaborative workplace culture.
- Ensure staff feel empowered, listened to, and supported to raise concerns and contribute to improvements.
Quality & Compliance
- Monitor and audit clinical outcomes, record keeping, and medicines management.
- Embed robust risk management and health & safety practices.
- Ensure confidentiality and GDPR compliance in line with Caldicott principles.
Strategic & Partnership Working
- Work with the Clinical Director to deliver Rowans Clinical Strategy and operational priorities.
- Contribute to business planning, KPI development, and budget management.
- Build effective partnerships with NHS Trusts, Primary Care, other Hospices, and voluntary sector organisations.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years experience in specialist/palliative care.
- At least 2 years experience in a management or senior leadership role.
- Strong leadership and change management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.
- In-depth knowledge of symptom control and palliative care philosophy.
- Understanding of third-sector or independent provider care models.
- Emotional resilience and ability to work effectively in end-of-life care environments.
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Values & Behaviours
- We are looking for a leader who will embody and promote our values:
- Compassion, empathy, and respect in all interactions.
- Integrity, honesty, and transparency in leadership.
- Collaboration with patients, families, colleagues, and partners.
- Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- Emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability.
- Additional Information
- Flexibility is required to meet the changing needs of the Hospice.
- Commitment to Rowans Hospices Code of Conduct, equality policies, and mandatory training is essential.
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN qualification with active NMC registration - Parts 1 or 12.
- Masters level study or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Teaching qualification or equivalent teaching/mentorship experience.
- Experience in clinical leadership mentorship.
- Familiarity with clinical databases eg, SystmOne.
- Experience in service development and quality improvement.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years experience in specialist/palliative care.
- At least 2 years experience in a management or senior leadership role.
- Strong leadership and change management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.
- In-depth knowledge of symptom control and palliative care philosophy.
- Understanding of third-sector or independent provider care models.
- Emotional resilience and ability to work effectively in end-of-life care environments.
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Values & Behaviours
- We are looking for a leader who will embody and promote our values:
- Compassion, empathy, and respect in all interactions.
- Integrity, honesty, and transparency in leadership.
- Collaboration with patients, families, colleagues, and partners.
- Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- Emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability.
- Additional Information
- Flexibility is required to meet the changing needs of the Hospice.
- Commitment to Rowans Hospices Code of Conduct, equality policies, and mandatory training is essential.
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN qualification with active NMC registration - Parts 1 or 12.
- Masters level study or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Teaching qualification or equivalent teaching/mentorship experience.
- Experience in clinical leadership mentorship.
- Familiarity with clinical databases eg, SystmOne.
- Experience in service development and quality improvement.
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).
