West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 7 - Macmillan Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 12 April 2026

Job summary

Band 7 Macmillan Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist37.5 hrs per week (The team provides a 7 day service therefore some weekend working will be required).

The Specialist Palliative Care Team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced nurse to join our well established and well supported hospital palliative care team.

We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated and enthusiastic nurse who has a high level of knowledge in palliative care, excellent communication skills and who is committed to improving the patient and carer experience across the acute Trust.

The Specialist Palliative Care Team helps to support over 1600 patients every year, and their expertise is well respected and valued across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The Specialist Palliative Care Team provide a seven day face-to-face service for patients with malignant and non-malignant conditions.

The post holder will work as part of a supportive team, assessing patients, creating management plans, planning discharges when appropriate and offering support to patients, families, carers and staff across the hospital.

There are opportunities to teach on a well-established education program, and to take part in improvement projects relating to end of life care and patient/carer experience within the Trust.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details

Date posted

30 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,657 to £58,785 a year inc. HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-B-11189

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to manage their own often complex caseload but will have full support from Palliative Care Consultants, the Palliative Care Deputy Lead Nurse, experienced CNSs, 2 Palliative Discharge Nurses and a HCSW.

The Specialist Palliative Care Team works collaboratively with teams across the Trust. They are seen as role models and lead by example, helping to support and educate staff across the Trust on a daily basis.They have strong links with local hospices and community palliative care services, working closely together to deliver an efficient, high-quality service to our patients and their families and carers.

Ongoing education and development is encouraged and supported as part of this role.The Specialist Palliative Care Team run a 7 day on site service between the hours of 9am-5pm.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to manage their own often complex caseload but will have full support from Palliative Care Consultants, the Palliative Care Deputy Lead Nurse, experienced CNSs, 2 Palliative Discharge Nurses and a HCSW.

The Specialist Palliative Care Team works collaboratively with teams across the Trust. They are seen as role models and lead by example, helping to support and educate staff across the Trust on a daily basis.They have strong links with local hospices and community palliative care services, working closely together to deliver an efficient, high-quality service to our patients and their families and carers.

Ongoing education and development is encouraged and supported as part of this role.The Specialist Palliative Care Team run a 7 day on site service between the hours of 9am-5pm.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • NMC first level registration
  • Degree in Nursing or equivalent / or working towards
  • Post-registration qualification in relevant speciality
  • Proven track record of supervising and teaching staff members

Desirable

  • Higher degree in, palliative care or other relevant subject.
  • Advanced Communication Skills Training
  • Independent Non-Medical Prescribers Course.
  • Nurse/Healthcare management course
  • Advance Care planning training
  • Psychological Skills Training Level 2

Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist palliative care knowledge specifically related to complex symptom management in both cancer and non-cancer patients.
  • Knowledge and understanding of National Guidance relating to Palliative and End of Life Care.

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of working at senior level in specialist palliative care.

Experience

Essential

  • Senior Nurse experience (Band 6 or above) in an area specialising in Palliative Care/ End of Life Care.
  • Evidence of changing practice and project management.
  • Evidence of teaching.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Setting.
  • Experience of completing Advance Care Plans.
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • NMC first level registration
  • Degree in Nursing or equivalent / or working towards
  • Post-registration qualification in relevant speciality
  • Proven track record of supervising and teaching staff members

Desirable

  • Higher degree in, palliative care or other relevant subject.
  • Advanced Communication Skills Training
  • Independent Non-Medical Prescribers Course.
  • Nurse/Healthcare management course
  • Advance Care planning training
  • Psychological Skills Training Level 2

Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist palliative care knowledge specifically related to complex symptom management in both cancer and non-cancer patients.
  • Knowledge and understanding of National Guidance relating to Palliative and End of Life Care.

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of working at senior level in specialist palliative care.

Experience

Essential

  • Senior Nurse experience (Band 6 or above) in an area specialising in Palliative Care/ End of Life Care.
  • Evidence of changing practice and project management.
  • Evidence of teaching.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Setting.
  • Experience of completing Advance Care Plans.

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 Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Macmillan Palliative Care Deputy Lead Nurse

Liz Sumner

liz.sumner@nhs.net

01923217930

Details

Date posted

30 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,657 to £58,785 a year inc. HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-B-11189

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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