West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Palliative Care

The closing date is 25 February 2026

Job summary

Are you passionate about providing outstanding Palliative and End of Life Care within an acute hospital setting? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our well-established hospital palliative care team at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

We are looking to appoint an experienced, highly skilled, and motivated Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist. You will work as an autonomous practitioner managing a caseload of complex palliative care patients with a variety of conditions. Supported by an experienced team of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Consultants, you will also have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of teaching, projects, service improvement as well as developing your own leadership skills. The Palliative Care Team provide a 7 day service which requires flexibility to cover weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

This post will suit an ambitious, organised, empathetic person who has excellent communication skills and enjoys working within a team

Main duties of the job

You will provide expert clinical care to patients with complex palliative care needs, the provision of education for carers and staff involved in generalist palliative care provision. You will have the opportunity to be involved in the development of local palliative care provision in participation with the West Suffolk Alliance. The post holder will act as an expert resource within the Trust and to the wider community.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

179-7769611-M

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review full job description to view main responsibilities and duties of role.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review full job description to view main responsibilities and duties of role.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • o1st Level Registered Nurse
  • oTeaching experience at ward level

Desirable

  • oEducation to diploma/degree level, or working towards degree
  • oNon-medical prescribing qualification in speciality
  • oAdvanced Communication Skills Training

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • oExperience of audit
  • oEvidence of professional development and its relevant application
  • oAbility to train others
  • oPrevious band 6 post holder or equivalent
  • oPalliative or end of life care nursing experience

Desirable

  • oOncology nursing experience

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • oDemonstrate evidence of sound clinical knowledge of pain and symptom management
  • oKnowledge of change management process
  • oAbility to plan, organise and co-ordinate work under pressure
  • oDemonstrate initiative
  • oAbility to prioritise work
  • oIT skills
  • oExcellent communication skills

Desirable

  • oAbility to assess psychological and psycho-social needs
  • oEvidence of standard setting and protocol development

Personal qualities

Essential

  • oFriendly and approachable
  • oAbility to work autonomously
  • oAbility to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations
  • oMotivated to work collaboratively and enthusiastically as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • oAbility to develop others
  • oAbility to work flexibly to the needs of the service
  • oTime management skills
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • o1st Level Registered Nurse
  • oTeaching experience at ward level

Desirable

  • oEducation to diploma/degree level, or working towards degree
  • oNon-medical prescribing qualification in speciality
  • oAdvanced Communication Skills Training

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • oExperience of audit
  • oEvidence of professional development and its relevant application
  • oAbility to train others
  • oPrevious band 6 post holder or equivalent
  • oPalliative or end of life care nursing experience

Desirable

  • oOncology nursing experience

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • oDemonstrate evidence of sound clinical knowledge of pain and symptom management
  • oKnowledge of change management process
  • oAbility to plan, organise and co-ordinate work under pressure
  • oDemonstrate initiative
  • oAbility to prioritise work
  • oIT skills
  • oExcellent communication skills

Desirable

  • oAbility to assess psychological and psycho-social needs
  • oEvidence of standard setting and protocol development

Personal qualities

Essential

  • oFriendly and approachable
  • oAbility to work autonomously
  • oAbility to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations
  • oMotivated to work collaboratively and enthusiastically as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • oAbility to develop others
  • oAbility to work flexibly to the needs of the service
  • oTime management skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Practice Development Nurse and Team Lead

Samantha Hobson

Samantha.hobson@wsh.nhs.uk

01284713776

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

179-7769611-M

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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