Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospice service in Cardiff seeks a dedicated Palliative Care Nurse to join their community-based team. The role involves delivering specialist palliative care to enhance the quality of life for patients facing life-limiting conditions. Applicants must possess a degree and have experience in palliative care, alongside key communication and problem-solving skills. This permanent, full-time position offers the opportunity to work collaboratively in a supportive environment, ensuring high standards of care.

Qualifications

• First Level Registration required.
• Evidence of recent learning and continued professional development.
• Experience in oncology and/or palliative care.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist palliative care to patients, their carers, and families.
• Work as part of a specialist palliative care team.
• Maintain accurate patient records.

Skills

Communication

Time Management

Clinical Reasoning

Problem Solving

Education

BSc or equivalent to a first Degree

Job description

Job summary

City Hospice is Cardiff's local hospice team offering palliative care in the community for people with life limiting conditions. Our CNS team supports them so that they can live their life in their place of choice, with dignity, and in comfort with those close to them in their bereavement.

We are looking to recruit a Palliative Care Nurse who supports our values of working together with pride, compassion, purpose and dedication. We keep people at the heart of what we do, empowering shared decision making and encouraging innovation.

We act with responsibility and professionalism as a team to provide the highest care, comfort and support to our patients and people close to them.

Main duties of the job

The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist in palliative care will be community based and will provide as part of a team, specialist, intermediate and generalist palliative care specific to the needs of patients, their carers and families .They will be accountable clinically to a Consultant in Palliative Care Medicine, and managerially to the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist.

About us

City Hospice was established in as a charity in 1984, and we are currently looking forward to celebrating 40 years of caring for the residents of Cardiff.

Ours is a small team comprising Clinical, Counselling and Business Support staff working together to achieve our vision of providing palliative care and bereavement counselling services which are widely recognised as reflecting best practice in a centre of excellence.

We have created a family environment which incorporates staff, families and volunteers. We celebrate life and enjoy a relaxed working environment, but never lose sight of our duty to , and responsibility for our patients.

Details Date posted

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0272-25-0000

Job locations

Grounds of Whitchurch Hospital

Park Road, Whitchurch

Cardiff

S Glamorgan

CF14 7BF

Job description Job responsibilities

JOB DETAILS

Clinical Nurse Specialist Palliative Care

Band Six

NHS Agenda for Change pay scale

Hours of Work are thirty seven point five per week

Based at Ty Hosbis Whitchurch Hospital Grounds

Duration of contract is Permanent

ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Accountable to

Clinically to Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Managerially to Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist

JOB PURPOSE

The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist in palliative care will be community based and will provide as part of a team specialist intermediate and generalist palliative care specific to the needs of patients their carers and families

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE

To work as a member of a specialist palliative care team and with members of the primary health care team in the community

To work closely with and to develop professional relationships with health care professionals and other palliative care teams within hospitals the community and hospices

To play an active role in the promotion of holistic day care in the Ty Hosbis centre

To demonstrate excellent clinical skills

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Effectively reports information regarding patient condition and areas of symptom control to differing groups and individuals including members of the palliative care multi disciplinary team the patient carers and families and other linked healthcare professionals.

Ensures that accurate and up to date records are maintained and reviewed as per professional and legal requirements.

Demonstrates the ability to be proactive and contribute to the debate of professional issues.

Demonstrates IT skills in order to access and contribute to patient data.

Use negotiation skills to liaise with patients carers families and outside agencies

KNOWLEDGE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Will hold a qualification at degree level

Evidence of recent learning and continued professional development.

Experience of working in the community.

Experience of oncology and or working with terminal non cancer patients and or palliative care.

Experience of working in day centres or day units

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Applies specialist knowledge across a range of procedures that are underpinned by theory evidence based practice and continued professional development.

Applies clinical reasoning and problem solving skills techniques.

Assumes professional autonomy responsibility and accountability to implement palliative care to enable the service user to maximise function promote independence and maximise quality of life.

Works to the remit of professional role and responsibilities within a multi disciplinary professional context.

Prioritises workload and takes an increased responsibility for management of self and caseload.

Identifies and assesses palliative care needs problems

Gathers information from a wide range of sources and analysis through observational interview and individual discussion

Uses standardised and non standardised assessment tools to identify physical and functional needs in the areas of patient management

Accurately records assessment method and outcome professional judgement and decisions taken

From the results of the preliminary assessments and in consultation with the patient identifies the need for further assessment appropriate intervention and or negotiates with other services and agencies to meet additional care needs

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Ability to plan and organise treatment interventions

Participate in case conferences in conjunction with the multi disciplinary team

PHYSICAL SKILLS

To use full range of palliative care skills

Demonstrates driving and navigational skills in order to carry out home visits

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENT CLIENT CARE

Provide specialist complex physical emotional and psychological support for the patient with regard to the palliative aspects of diagnosis treatment surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

To advise and educate patients and their families and or carers on the management of individual problems incorporating individual patient focused goals and outcomes.

To manage clinical risk within own patient workload.

Demonstrates the ability to accept the standards of others without prejudice and regardless of race religion politics social economic background and lifestyle.

Demonstrates attitudes that ensure the expressed needs and choices of patients and carers are acknowledged

RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Critically appraises the impact of palliative care in the community Contribute to and support senior staff and the multi disciplinary team in service development

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

To be responsible for the safe management of any equipment resources required

RESPONSIBILITY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES

To participate in statutory and mandatory training in line with City Hospice policies and as required by our regulators

Participate in the supervision and training of students on clinical placement

To assist and participate in the departmental individual performance review programme as appraisee

To contribute to and assist in the running of in service training programmes

Undertake regular continued professional development activity with appropriate attendance at meetings

RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

To be responsible for own professional development record as identified in the personal development plan

To collect appropriate statistical data in accordance with departmental procedure

Responsible for inputting of accurate patient records onto the Cancer Network Information System Cymru

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Undertake evidence based audit and research projects in conjunction with Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist to further clinical practice

Participate in multi disciplinary and departmental clinical governance activities including audit

To support senior staff in service development

FREEDOM TO ACT

Professional accountability to Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist and Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Work within the guidance of City Hospice policies and procedures To work within the national guidelines of NICE and relevant national government policies

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Applies relevant manual handling skills techniques

MENTAL EFFORT

Ability to concentrate and complete tasks despite frequent interruptions

Ability to respond to constant unpredictable events and interruptions for example patients fluctuating conditions

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances Imparting bad news

Helping patients and their families to understand the reality of the situation

Ability to deal with distressed and angry relatives Use of reflection

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working in the community throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Office based work using computer daily at base in Ty Hosbis Sharing in the on call rota based at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and or Marie Curie Holme Towers covering the communities of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Whilst the position is initially based at Ty Hosbis Whitchurch there may be a requirement for the post to be located at Cardiff Royal Infirmary dependent upon areas of responsibility and location

DISCLOSURE BARRING SYSTEM

In this role you will have direct and indirect contact with patients service users and vulnerable adults in the course of your normal duties

You will therefore be required to apply for a DBS Enhanced Disclosure Check as part of City

Job description Job responsibilities

JOB DETAILS

Clinical Nurse Specialist Palliative Care

Band Six

NHS Agenda for Change pay scale

Hours of Work are thirty seven point five per week

Based at Ty Hosbis Whitchurch Hospital Grounds

Duration of contract is Permanent

ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Accountable to

Clinically to Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Managerially to Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist

JOB PURPOSE

The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist in palliative care will be community based and will provide as part of a team specialist intermediate and generalist palliative care specific to the needs of patients their carers and families

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE

To work as a member of a specialist palliative care team and with members of the primary health care team in the community

To work closely with and to develop professional relationships with health care professionals and other palliative care teams within hospitals the community and hospices

To play an active role in the promotion of holistic day care in the Ty Hosbis centre

To demonstrate excellent clinical skills

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Effectively reports information regarding patient condition and areas of symptom control to differing groups and individuals including members of the palliative care multi disciplinary team the patient carers and families and other linked healthcare professionals.

Ensures that accurate and up to date records are maintained and reviewed as per professional and legal requirements.

Demonstrates the ability to be proactive and contribute to the debate of professional issues.

Demonstrates IT skills in order to access and contribute to patient data.

Use negotiation skills to liaise with patients carers families and outside agencies

KNOWLEDGE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Will hold a qualification at degree level

Evidence of recent learning and continued professional development.

Experience of working in the community.

Experience of oncology and or working with terminal non cancer patients and or palliative care.

Experience of working in day centres or day units

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Applies specialist knowledge across a range of procedures that are underpinned by theory evidence based practice and continued professional development.

Applies clinical reasoning and problem solving skills techniques.

Assumes professional autonomy responsibility and accountability to implement palliative care to enable the service user to maximise function promote independence and maximise quality of life.

Works to the remit of professional role and responsibilities within a multi disciplinary professional context.

Prioritises workload and takes an increased responsibility for management of self and caseload.

Identifies and assesses palliative care needs problems

Gathers information from a wide range of sources and analysis through observational interview and individual discussion

Uses standardised and non standardised assessment tools to identify physical and functional needs in the areas of patient management

Accurately records assessment method and outcome professional judgement and decisions taken

From the results of the preliminary assessments and in consultation with the patient identifies the need for further assessment appropriate intervention and or negotiates with other services and agencies to meet additional care needs

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Ability to plan and organise treatment interventions

Participate in case conferences in conjunction with the multi disciplinary team

PHYSICAL SKILLS

To use full range of palliative care skills

Demonstrates driving and navigational skills in order to carry out home visits

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENT CLIENT CARE

Provide specialist complex physical emotional and psychological support for the patient with regard to the palliative aspects of diagnosis treatment surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

To advise and educate patients and their families and or carers on the management of individual problems incorporating individual patient focused goals and outcomes.

To manage clinical risk within own patient workload.

Demonstrates the ability to accept the standards of others without prejudice and regardless of race religion politics social economic background and lifestyle.

Demonstrates attitudes that ensure the expressed needs and choices of patients and carers are acknowledged

RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Critically appraises the impact of palliative care in the community Contribute to and support senior staff and the multi disciplinary team in service development

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

To be responsible for the safe management of any equipment resources required

RESPONSIBILITY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES

To participate in statutory and mandatory training in line with City Hospice policies and as required by our regulators

Participate in the supervision and training of students on clinical placement

To assist and participate in the departmental individual performance review programme as appraisee

To contribute to and assist in the running of in service training programmes

Undertake regular continued professional development activity with appropriate attendance at meetings

RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

To be responsible for own professional development record as identified in the personal development plan

To collect appropriate statistical data in accordance with departmental procedure

Responsible for inputting of accurate patient records onto the Cancer Network Information System Cymru

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Undertake evidence based audit and research projects in conjunction with Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist to further clinical practice

Participate in multi disciplinary and departmental clinical governance activities including audit

To support senior staff in service development

FREEDOM TO ACT

Professional accountability to Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist and Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Work within the guidance of City Hospice policies and procedures To work within the national guidelines of NICE and relevant national government policies

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Applies relevant manual handling skills techniques

MENTAL EFFORT

Ability to concentrate and complete tasks despite frequent interruptions

Ability to respond to constant unpredictable events and interruptions for example patients fluctuating conditions

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances Imparting bad news

Helping patients and their families to understand the reality of the situation

Ability to deal with distressed and angry relatives Use of reflection

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working in the community throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Office based work using computer daily at base in Ty Hosbis Sharing in the on call rota based at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and or Marie Curie Holme Towers covering the communities of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Whilst the position is initially based at Ty Hosbis Whitchurch there may be a requirement for the post to be located at Cardiff Royal Infirmary dependent upon areas of responsibility and location

DISCLOSURE BARRING SYSTEM

In this role you will have direct and indirect contact with patients service users and vulnerable adults in the course of your normal duties

You will therefore be required to apply for a DBS Enhanced Disclosure Check as part of City

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• ESSENTIAL
• First Level Registration
• BSc or equivalent to a first Degree

Desirable

• DESIRABLE
• Teaching qualification
• Post graduate qualification.

SKILLS Essential

• Ability to communicate with healthcare professionals, patients and families.
• Ability to manage a clinical caseload

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Essential

• Ability to work in a stressful
• environment
• Team Player
• Ability to work autonomously
• Excellent Time Management and prioritization skills
• Excellent work attendance record

OTHER Essential

• Access to transport to allow travel on a regular basis

Experience Essential

• Extensive post Registration and Palliative Care experience in Cancer or non Cancer patients.

Desirable

• Teaching experience
• Community experience

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• ESSENTIAL
• First Level Registration
• BSc or equivalent to a first Degree

Desirable

• DESIRABLE
• Teaching qualification
• Post graduate qualification.

SKILLS Essential

• Ability to communicate with healthcare professionals, patients and families.
• Ability to manage a clinical caseload

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Essential

• Ability to work in a stressful
• environment
• Team Player
• Ability to work autonomously
• Excellent Time Management and prioritization skills
• Excellent work attendance record

OTHER Essential

• Access to transport to allow travel on a regular basis

Experience Essential

• Extensive post Registration and Palliative Care experience in Cancer or non Cancer patients.

Desirable

• Teaching experience
• Community experience

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).

Employer details Employer name

City Hospice

Address

Grounds of Whitchurch Hospital

Park Road, Whitchurch

Cardiff

S Glamorgan

CF14 7BF

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

City Hospice

Address

Grounds of Whitchurch Hospital

Park Road, Whitchurch

Cardiff

S Glamorgan

CF14 7BF

Employer's website

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