Job summary
Palliative Discharge Clinical Nurse
Department: Cancer Services
Band 6 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 15 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working (Monday and Friday shift pattern is a must, with some degree of flexibility depending on the needs of the service)
The Palliative Discharge Clinical Nurse is a role that supports our palliative rapid discharges. This is an integral part of our team as it enables patients at EOL to achieve their preferred place of care and preferred place of death.
This role will require the person to have a flexible and positive approach as well as being able to prioritise tasks under pressure. This post also requires the individual to support patients and their families with emotional and psychological support through some challenging and complex conditions.
Ideal candidate would need to have significant experience as a registered nurse with some experience or interest in palliative and EOL care. This post is permanent (15 hours pr week) and the role may be considered to merge with the Trust's Discharge Team. A DBS check and clearance is required for new employees. MKUH promotes an inclusive workforce and proactively welcomes applications from underprivileged groups in our community.
Interview date 18/11/2025
Main duties of the job
The post holder needs to be able to communicate empathetically and support patients, their families and or carers and staff with difficult conversations and decisions. The post holder needs to be able to work collaboratively and effectively with the palliative and EOL Care Team, multi-disciplinary team and all internal and external service providers. This role may be subject to merge with the Trust's Discharge Team.
The Palliative Care Discharge Clinical Nurse will provide support and advice to patients deemed to be within the last weeks of life, irrespective of their disease, in the acute setting and collaborate in the care provided by the CCG, Rapid Response Service and primary care.
A key part of the role of the Palliative Care Discharge Clinical Nurse is to raise awareness of the service within the acute and community settings, identify preferred place of care and death, expedite discharge to preferred place of care where this is possible and undertake the initial primary care visit to ensure seamless transfer of care from the acute hospital to home and admission guidance.
The enhanced discharge service will act as part of a range or resources to other professions providing palliative care, including physical, psychological, social, spiritual support and bereavement care in order to enable the most appropriate service for patients and their carers.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional and Clinical
w In collaboration with members of the Palliative and EOL Care Team and the multi-disciplinary team, assess the needs of the patients, families and other carers and provide specific advice or support as appropriate. The main tasks and responsibilities associated with the Nurse post includes:
w Proactively identifying and managing treatment plans for patients involving their relatives and carers in the process.
Management of Patient Health / Illness Status
w To act as a Palliative Care Discharge Clinical Nurse, to support and facilitate Rapid Discharges ensuring patients at EOL achieve their preferred place of care and death.
w To work collaboratively with other clinicians involved in the delivery of cancer care to achieve evidence based best practice.
Education
w To be involved in and initiate new and innovative programmes of education and training to multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, which facilitate changes in practice.
w Ensure continuous professional development in line with individual and Trust needs.
w Undertake research and use evidence-based approach to patient management that critically evaluates and applies research findings pertinent to patient care management and outcomes. To be involved in clinical audits in area of specialism.
Professional Role
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF/NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to review public health data / information in evaluating patients needs, pattern of disease and effectiveness of interventions / programme of care.
Professional Role
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF/NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to review public health data / information in evaluating patients needs, pattern of disease and effectiveness of interventions / programme of care.
Operational
w Demonstrates clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning and development of the Palliative and EOLC.
w Assist the Lead Nurse for palliative and EOL care in business and management strategies for the provision of quality care in Palliative and EOLC as well as the efficient use of resources.
Personal Development
- To maintain own personal and professional growth through participating in annual review, with their appraiser identifying their development needs and implementing a personal development plan.
- Demonstrate evidence based care.
- Contribute to the continuing development of the service.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional and Clinical
w In collaboration with members of the Palliative and EOL Care Team and the multi-disciplinary team, assess the needs of the patients, families and other carers and provide specific advice or support as appropriate. The main tasks and responsibilities associated with the Nurse post includes:
w Proactively identifying and managing treatment plans for patients involving their relatives and carers in the process.
Management of Patient Health / Illness Status
w To act as a Palliative Care Discharge Clinical Nurse, to support and facilitate Rapid Discharges ensuring patients at EOL achieve their preferred place of care and death.
w To work collaboratively with other clinicians involved in the delivery of cancer care to achieve evidence based best practice.
Education
w To be involved in and initiate new and innovative programmes of education and training to multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, which facilitate changes in practice.
w Ensure continuous professional development in line with individual and Trust needs.
w Undertake research and use evidence-based approach to patient management that critically evaluates and applies research findings pertinent to patient care management and outcomes. To be involved in clinical audits in area of specialism.
Professional Role
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF/NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to review public health data / information in evaluating patients needs, pattern of disease and effectiveness of interventions / programme of care.
Professional Role
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e. NSF/NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.
w To work with the Lead Nurse for Palliative and EOL Care and the Palliative Medicine Consultant to review public health data / information in evaluating patients needs, pattern of disease and effectiveness of interventions / programme of care.
Operational
w Demonstrates clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning and development of the Palliative and EOLC.
w Assist the Lead Nurse for palliative and EOL care in business and management strategies for the provision of quality care in Palliative and EOLC as well as the efficient use of resources.
Personal Development
- To maintain own personal and professional growth through participating in annual review, with their appraiser identifying their development needs and implementing a personal development plan.
- Demonstrate evidence based care.
- Contribute to the continuing development of the service.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- RGN Adult
- Diploma/degree or working at advanced level
Desirable
- Palliative care / end of life /modules (degree level)
- Practice supervisor/assessor
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience of discharge planning
Desirable
- Experience of Care in palliative / end of life nursing
- Team leading experience
- Balancing and prioritising care and staffing needs
- Experience in educating & training staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to delegate appropriately and recognise own & others competence & role boundaries
- IT skills-use of email & clinical databases
- Assertiveness
- Team awareness and ability to view the wider picture
- Awareness of current issues in nursing
- Ability to facilitate & support the development of innovative nursing practice
Desirable
- Leadership and management experience
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to be flexible, to have flair and initiative to be able to work within & manage a team
- Motivated, positive - self directed and committed
- Proactive
- Able to deliver and receive constructive feedback
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Self-awareness and diplomacy
- Aware of impact of own words/style
- Excellent written and documentation style
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- RGN Adult
- Diploma/degree or working at advanced level
Desirable
- Palliative care / end of life /modules (degree level)
- Practice supervisor/assessor
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience of discharge planning
Desirable
- Experience of Care in palliative / end of life nursing
- Team leading experience
- Balancing and prioritising care and staffing needs
- Experience in educating & training staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to delegate appropriately and recognise own & others competence & role boundaries
- IT skills-use of email & clinical databases
- Assertiveness
- Team awareness and ability to view the wider picture
- Awareness of current issues in nursing
- Ability to facilitate & support the development of innovative nursing practice
Desirable
- Leadership and management experience
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to be flexible, to have flair and initiative to be able to work within & manage a team
- Motivated, positive - self directed and committed
- Proactive
- Able to deliver and receive constructive feedback
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Self-awareness and diplomacy
- Aware of impact of own words/style
- Excellent written and documentation style
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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).
