Clinical Lead - In-Patient Unit

Job description

Job responsibilities

POST: Clinical Lead In-Patient Unit

REPORTS, AND ACCOUNTABLE TO: Inpatient Services Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

The Inpatient-Unit Clinical Lead will be a key member of the senior clinical team responsible for delivering high-quality, person-centred specialist palliative and end-of-life care. This role combines expert clinical practice with strong leadership, education, and service development responsibilities. The postholder will provide visible leadership and support to the nursing team, foster a culture of learning and excellence, and support the continuous improvement of care delivery across the Inpatient Unit.

Working collaboratively with the InPatient Unit senior team, and the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Clinical Lead will ensure care is safe, effective, evidence-based, and aligned with the strategic aims and values of Phyllis Tuckwell.

All staff at Phyllis Tuckwell are expected to uphold our values and work together to deliver on our mission: "For everyone to have the best possible experience at the end of life.

Values:

Compassion: Treating all individuals with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Inclusion: Recognising and valuing diversity; working ethically and in partnership.

Dynamism: Being adaptable, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.

Accountability: Using resources responsibly and maintaining high standards.

Working at Phyllis Tuckwell means contributing to a culture where teamwork, respect, and a shared commitment to our mission are at the heart of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Leadership & Expert Practice

• Provide advanced clinical expertise in specialist palliative care, acting as a role model for evidence-based, compassionate care.
• To work with and support nursing staff in managing complex clinical and psychosocial situations, ensuring care plans reflect holistic, person-centred needs.
• Promote and uphold high standards of clinical documentation, assessment, medication administration, and care delivery in line with regulatory and organisational policies.
• Act as a senior clinical resource, guiding practice through formal and informal education, coaching, and real-time support.

2. Education, Development & Mentorship

• Lead on the development of the In-patient Unit nursing team, including students, new staff and preceptees.
• Deliver informal teaching sessions.
• Facilitate competency assessment and staff sign off.
• Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning, and continuous professional development.
• Act as a NMC revalidation confirmer and support professional portfolio development.

3. Quality Improvement & Governance

• Support with quality improvement initiatives, audit and service evaluation to enhance patient safety, experience, and best practice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical policies and protocols.
• Participate in risk assessments, incident reviews, PSIRF investigations, and governance meetings, promoting a learning-focused, 'just culture.'
• Ensure adherence to Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and hospice regulatory frameworks.

4. Operational & Strategic Support

• Support with the day-to-day coordination of nursing activities to ensure safe staffing, workflow, and continuity of care.
• Contribute to staff recruitment, induction, and probationary processes, supporting workforce planning and retention.
• Foster effective communication across clinical teams, including participation in multidisciplinary meetings and cross-service collaboration.

5. Team Culture & Professional Conduct

• Promote the core values of Phyllis Tuckwell through inclusive, respectful, and team-focused leadership.
• Support the development of an open, supportive team culture that embraces feedback, innovation, and psychological safety.
• Uphold the NMC Code of Conduct and act as a professional role model at all times.

6. Additional Information

• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• Regular participation in supervision and reflective practice is expected.

The postholder will be required to work across all the shift patterns which includes days, nights and weekends.

• The job description is subject to review in line with service needs and strategic development.
• The role will play an important role in ensuring staff enjoy coming to work in the InPatient Unit and are provided with support and guidance.

7. Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk.

The role holder is required to:

adhere to Phyllis Tuckwells Safeguarding Policy (held on the NEST), which supports the local authoritys multi agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).

inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect.

Commit to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing, and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances.

This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwells philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promotes total team spirit.

This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Extensive post-registration experience in palliative, oncology, or acute care
• Experience in staff education and training

Desirable

• Previous role in clinical leadership or team management
• Involvement in quality improvement or research

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with active NMC PIN
• Recognised training in palliative or end-of-life care (e.g. EoLC module)
• Practice Assessor qualification (or equivalent teaching experience)

Desirable

• Degree in Nursing or related field
• Masters-level study or leadership qualification
• Palliative care leadership or education certificate

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to influence, motivate, and support a diverse team

Desirable

• Familiarity with PSIRF, clinical governance, and risk management
• Experience contributing to service development
• Understanding of hospice or voluntary sector care models

Other

Essential

• Commitment to the values and ethos of Phyllis Tuckwell

Desirable

• Car driver (if role involves multi-site working)

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Phyllis Tuckwell Memorial Hospice Ltd

Address

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

122 Kings Ride

Camberley

Surrey

GU15 4LZ

Employer's website

https://www.pth.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)