Clinical Nurse Specialist

King's College Hospital; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution is seeking an experienced Band 7 specialist palliative care nurse to join their Palliative Care team at the Denmark Hill site. This role involves delivering expert nursing services, managing a caseload of patients with specialist needs, and supporting the development of clinical protocols. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and provide training for nursing staff. This position is essential for improving the quality of palliative care provided in the hospital.

Qualifications

• Experience as a specialist palliative care nurse.
• Dynamic, innovative, and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert nursing service within the palliative care team.
• Manage caseload of patients with specialist palliative care needs.
• Assist in developing evidence-based clinical nursing practice.

Job description

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to work within the Palliative Care team at the Cicely Saunders Institute, Kings College Hospital. We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, innovative and highly motivated Band 7 specialist palliative care nurse.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert nursing service within the multi‑professional palliative care team at the Denmark Hill site (Cicely Saunders Institute).
• Manage a caseload of patients with specialist palliative care needs, ensuring accurate care plans, appropriate follow‑up and correct medication prescribing where within scope.
• Provide a seven‑day face‑to‑face service, including in‑hospital care for identified specialist palliative care needs.
• Assist in developing evidence‑based clinical nursing practice aligned with current research and national guidelines.
• Maintain clear communication within the team, with other palliative and primary care providers, community services, social services, paramedics and voluntary organisations.
• Act as a role model, support education and training of nursing staff and facilitate implementation of the five priorities for the care of the dying patient across the hospital.
• Participate in governance, service development, multidisciplinary team (MDT) processes and case review meetings, ensuring seamless patient care.
• Support discharge coordination and timely discharge/follow‑up arrangements for patients.
• Develop and implement clinical protocols and strategies to enhance continuity and standard of specialist care, ensuring equity of access.
• Gather and incorporate service‑user feedback to improve service experience.
• Produce and provide written information for patients, relatives and carers in line with Trust standards.
• Supervise and participate in educational programmes, identifying staff knowledge gaps and ensuring appropriate education.
• Engage in research and audit activities, including national end‑of‑life care audit participation.
• Represent the service at local, regional and national forums, conferences and the Trust‑approved research projects run through the Cicely Saunders Institute.
• Promote evidence‑based practice and clinical audit to inform business and service development plans.
• Participate in peer‑review processes, liaising with Trust management and clinical lead to implement recommendations.
• Network with other clinical nurse specialists for role evaluation, development and promotion.
• Utilise information systems for audit, activity analysis and reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure cost‑effective resource utilisation within agreed budgets.
• Comply with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, the Race Equality Scheme and national palliative care guidance, ensuring equitable, inclusive care.

Location

Denmark Hill site, Kings College Hospital (Cicely Saunders Institute).