Job summary
Palliative Care Specialist Nurse
Department: Palliative Care / Cancer Centre
Part-time 15 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Band 7: £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata
This leadership role will encompass clinical assessment and support of patients, their families and carers; guidance and support to senior nursing and medical staff in decisions regarding care and treatment plans. It is expected that the individual will be an expert practitioner in palliative care with clinical credibility and establish close working relationships with senior nurses and medical staff. The post holder will be expected to work closely with all members of the cancer service team and others to meet the needs of patients with specialist palliative care needs.
Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and expertise in palliative and end of life care. Demonstrates an in depth understanding of the ethical, moral and legal issues around palliative and end of life care, including decisions to withdraw medical treatment. Demonstrates advanced communication skills in all contexts, with patients, their families and carers, senior medical and nursing staff. Supports the Lead Palliative and EOL care Nurse with designing and delivering educational programs, carrying out audits and any other Palliative and EOL care related tasks.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 18th June 2025
Main duties of the job
- To encompass clinical assessment and support of patients, their families and carers; guidance and support to senior nursing and medical staff in decisions regarding care and treatment plans.
- The post holder will be expected to work closely with all members of the cancer service team and others to meet the needs of patients with specialist palliative care needs.
About us
"We Care We Communicate We Collaborate We Contribute"
"A staggering 94.2% of nurses and midwives feel the impact of their roles of patients, underlining their integral contribution to healthcare" (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties:
- Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and expertise in palliative and end of life care.
- Demonstrates an in depth understanding of the ethical, moral and legal issues around palliative and end of life care, including decisions to withdraw medical treatment.
Management of patient health / illness status:
- Undertakes the assessment and treatment of patients with complex palliative care needs, including communication of available options to same.
Education:
- Supports the palliative and end of life care ward nurse training.
- Contributes to educational programmes for staff throughout MK locality.
Leadership:
- Analyses and interprets national and local recommendations for palliative and end of life care and develops plans with others to implement and achieve compliance.
- Is a highly visible role model for expert practice in palliative and end of life care.
Operational:
- Demonstrates expert skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning and development of the palliative and end of life care service.
Research:
- To appreciate existing research findings as they affect physical, social and psychological care.
Audit:
- To submit statistical returns related to the service plan and to compile reports for the Trust and Macmillan Cancer Relief, as required.
Professional role:
- To act in accordance with the UKCC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and the Scope of Professional Practice.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties:
- Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and expertise in palliative and end of life care.
- Demonstrates an in depth understanding of the ethical, moral and legal issues around palliative and end of life care, including decisions to withdraw medical treatment.
Management of patient health / illness status:
- Undertakes the assessment and treatment of patients with complex palliative care needs, including communication of available options to same.
Education:
- Supports the palliative and end of life care ward nurse training.
- Contributes to educational programmes for staff throughout MK locality.
Leadership:
- Analyses and interprets national and local recommendations for palliative and end of life care and develops plans with others to implement and achieve compliance.
- Is a highly visible role model for expert practice in palliative and end of life care.
Operational:
- Demonstrates expert skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning and development of the palliative and end of life care service.
Research:
- To appreciate existing research findings as they affect physical, social and psychological care.
Audit:
- To submit statistical returns related to the service plan and to compile reports for the Trust and Macmillan Cancer Relief, as required.
Professional role:
- To act in accordance with the UKCC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and the Scope of Professional Practice.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Degree or Diploma
- ENB 998 or similar teaching qualification
- Masters degree or working towards Independent nurse prescriber or working towards
- Palliative care qualification
- Advanced communication skills training
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at band 6 in palliative and end of life care
- Experience of leading and developing clinical practice
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent management skills of self and others
- Have a good insight into self on others and vice versa
- Ability to facilitate the management of change
- Ability to delegate appropriately
- Computer skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Maturity / self awareness
- Good team working skills
- Sensitivity based on knowledge
- Enthusiasm / motivation
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to be flexible, to have flair and initiative and be able to work in a team
- Motivated / positive - self directed and committed.
- Professional image
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal and non-verbal skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Degree or Diploma
- ENB 998 or similar teaching qualification
- Masters degree or working towards Independent nurse prescriber or working towards
- Palliative care qualification
- Advanced communication skills training
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at band 6 in palliative and end of life care
- Experience of leading and developing clinical practice
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent management skills of self and others
- Have a good insight into self on others and vice versa
- Ability to facilitate the management of change
- Ability to delegate appropriately
- Computer skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Maturity / self awareness
- Good team working skills
- Sensitivity based on knowledge
- Enthusiasm / motivation
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to be flexible, to have flair and initiative and be able to work in a team
- Motivated / positive - self directed and committed.
- Professional image
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal and non-verbal skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Desirable
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).
