Job summary
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training (15 month
fixed-term contract)
Are you
an experienced Registered Nurse with a passion for palliative and end of life
care? Do you want to develop into a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within a
supportive, Outstanding-rated hospice team?
Prospect
Hospice is offering an exciting 15-month structured development pathway into a
substantive Community Clinical Nurse Specialist role.
In
October 2021, the Care Quality Commission rated our care as Outstanding. They
said:
Without
exception, staff we talked with were proud to work for the hospice. Staff
members told us the hospice was an excellent place to work and was made up of
individuals who all have one common purpose; to provide high-quality,
person-centred care.
This is
your opportunity to be part of that purpose.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week over
7 days (9am 5pm with flexibility as required). Part time hours considered.
Interviews will be held on 24 March 2026.
Please
note: We are not part of the NHS Agenda for Change.
We
will review applications as they come in and may close the vacancy before the
closing date. Candidates are advised to apply early.
Main duties of the job
What is the role?
This is a development post designed to prepare an
experienced nurse to transition into a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist
position within 15 months within our Community CNS Team.
Working under the mentorship of a Senior CNS and the
CNS Team Leader, you will:
Complete a structured learning agreement and competency
framework over 15 months
Complete required competencies, assessments and
workbook
Manage a supervised caseload of patients with
life-limiting illness in the community (home and care home settings)
Develop advanced skills in clinical assessment,
anticipatory care planning and complex decision-making
Provide emotional and psychological support to
patients and those important to them
Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and
clinical governance activities
Contribute to education, audit and quality
improvement initiatives
This role is ideal for a nurse with significant
post-registration clinical experience who is ready to develop advanced practice
skills in specialist palliative care. Subject to successful completion of the
agreed competency framework within the 15-month period, and continued service
need, the postholder will progress to a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist
position.
The role requires resilience, compassion, reflective
practice and a genuine commitment to delivering excellence in end-of-life care.
Informal
visits or calls are very welcome, please contact Sue Emmerson, CNS Team Leader on
01793 816126.
About us
Prospect Hospice is an independent hospice supporting a community of
300,000 people in Swindon, Marlborough and North Wiltshire, and the villages of
Lechlade and Fairford in Gloucestershire.
It is the only dedicated provider of
specialist end of life care services within it's locality. The Hospices
multi-professionals teams support people in the community, in care homes, at
the Great Western Hospital and at the Hospice in Wroughton. Care is also
extended to the families and friends of patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Purpose & Scope
The prime purpose is to prepare a trained nurse to become a substantive CNS at Prospect Hospice.
A key element will be to build advanced expertise in clinical practice, education, professional development, and practice improvement.
Another crucial aspect will be that, the CNS in training contributes to patient management while progressively assuming the full scope of CNS responsibilities.
What
we are looking for
Registered Nurse with relevant post-registration experience
Current NMC registration
Experience caring for patients with palliative care
needs and those who are dying
Ability to work effectively within a
multidisciplinary team
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Ability to work autonomously and manage workload
effectively
Commitment to professional development and
reflective practice
Full driving licence and access to own car (insured
for business use)
A compassionate, person-centred approach aligned to
Prospect Hospice values
It
would also be great if you have
Experience in audit and quality improvement
Knowledge of clinical governance principles
Experience using reflective processes to improve
practice
Innovative approach to problem solving
Please refer to the attached job
description for comprehensive information regarding the responsibilities,
qualifications, and expectations associated with the position.
We offer agreat range of benefits, including:
27 days annual leave entitlement plus
bank holidays (rising with length of service)
Membership of the NHS pension scheme is
available for existing members
Generous contributory pension scheme for
all other staff
Discounts with local retailers, gyms and
service providers including Blue Light Discount Card
Employee Assistance Programme and
wellbeing team
Supportive induction, training and
development
A values led, inclusive working
environment
How to Apply
Please apply on our
web site - Vacant
Positions - Prospect Hospice
UK
Registration
Applicants
must have current UK professional GMC/NMC/HCPC registration
Equality
& Diversity
Prospect
Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working
environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating
discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our
business and the communities we serve.
We
welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex,
gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Safeguarding
We are
committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As
part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to
thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification
of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere
to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You
must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Purpose & Scope
The prime purpose is to prepare a trained nurse to become a substantive CNS at Prospect Hospice.
A key element will be to build advanced expertise in clinical practice, education, professional development, and practice improvement.
Another crucial aspect will be that, the CNS in training contributes to patient management while progressively assuming the full scope of CNS responsibilities.
What
we are looking for
Registered Nurse with relevant post-registration experience
Current NMC registration
Experience caring for patients with palliative care
needs and those who are dying
Ability to work effectively within a
multidisciplinary team
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Ability to work autonomously and manage workload
effectively
Commitment to professional development and
reflective practice
Full driving licence and access to own car (insured
for business use)
A compassionate, person-centred approach aligned to
Prospect Hospice values
It
would also be great if you have
Experience in audit and quality improvement
Knowledge of clinical governance principles
Experience using reflective processes to improve
practice
Innovative approach to problem solving
Please refer to the attached job
description for comprehensive information regarding the responsibilities,
qualifications, and expectations associated with the position.
We offer agreat range of benefits, including:
27 days annual leave entitlement plus
bank holidays (rising with length of service)
Membership of the NHS pension scheme is
available for existing members
Generous contributory pension scheme for
all other staff
Discounts with local retailers, gyms and
service providers including Blue Light Discount Card
Employee Assistance Programme and
wellbeing team
Supportive induction, training and
development
A values led, inclusive working
environment
How to Apply
Please apply on our
web site - Vacant
Positions - Prospect Hospice
UK
Registration
Applicants
must have current UK professional GMC/NMC/HCPC registration
Equality
& Diversity
Prospect
Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working
environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating
discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our
business and the communities we serve.
We
welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex,
gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Safeguarding
We are
committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As
part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to
thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification
of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere
to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You
must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of nursing patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying and caring for those who are important to them.
- Ability to liaise effectively with other agencies to positively influence outcomes for palliative care patients.
- Palliative care experience and willingness to undertake further qualifications.
- Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with staff.
- Experience of nursing patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying and caring for those who are important to them.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse with a minimum of 3 years post registration experience.
- Full driving licence and access to own car, insurance for business use.
- Willingness to participate in teaching sessions.
Desirable
- Experience with audit and quality improvement.
- Experience of using reflective processes as a framework to improve practice.
Skills
Essential
- Computer skills.
- Ability to work in a changing environment.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills; able to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Able to follow instructions and also to plan and manage own workload and activities.
Desirable
- Innovative approach to problem solving.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to and ability to demonstrate Prospect Hospice values and behaviours at all times.
- Have a track record of working inclusively and a genuine appreciation of the value of diversity.
- Able to maintain the highest professional standards at all times, and act as a true ambassador for the Hospice and encourage others to do the same.
- To be authentic, open honest and transparent.
- Effective strategies and approaches to facilitate coping with the emotional demands of role, particularly exposure to loss and patient death.
- Ability to act as a positive ambassador for Prospect Hospice.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of nursing patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying and caring for those who are important to them.
- Ability to liaise effectively with other agencies to positively influence outcomes for palliative care patients.
- Palliative care experience and willingness to undertake further qualifications.
- Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with staff.
- Experience of nursing patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying and caring for those who are important to them.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse with a minimum of 3 years post registration experience.
- Full driving licence and access to own car, insurance for business use.
- Willingness to participate in teaching sessions.
Desirable
- Experience with audit and quality improvement.
- Experience of using reflective processes as a framework to improve practice.
Skills
Essential
- Computer skills.
- Ability to work in a changing environment.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills; able to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Able to follow instructions and also to plan and manage own workload and activities.
Desirable
- Innovative approach to problem solving.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to and ability to demonstrate Prospect Hospice values and behaviours at all times.
- Have a track record of working inclusively and a genuine appreciation of the value of diversity.
- Able to maintain the highest professional standards at all times, and act as a true ambassador for the Hospice and encourage others to do the same.
- To be authentic, open honest and transparent.
- Effective strategies and approaches to facilitate coping with the emotional demands of role, particularly exposure to loss and patient death.
- Ability to act as a positive ambassador for Prospect Hospice.
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).
