Lead Nurse - Specialist Palliative Care

NHS; Newport; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS organization seeks an experienced palliative care nurse to lead a dedicated team in Newport. The role emphasizes developing a specialist service, improving patient choices at the end of life, and enhancing communication among care sectors. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development, ensuring a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care.

Benefits

Extensive opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience in palliative care.
• Experience leading and managing a service in a complex organization.
• Experience working in both primary and secondary care.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the CNS team in palliative care.
• Implement effective specialist services and improve end-of-life choices.
• Enhance communication between care sectors for improved patient experience.

Skills

Leadership and management

Palliative care qualifications

Communication skills

Enthusiasm and proactivity

Education

Registered General Nurse

Palliative care qualification

First level degree or equivalent

Masters qualification or equivalent

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting and rare opportunity for an experienced, compassionate nurse to lead a highly motivated and dynamic specialist palliative care nursing team in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB).

The Specialist Palliative Care Directorate in ABUHB is undergoing changes and developments in partnership with third sector providers. We are seeking an experienced nurse to lead a well-established and innovative palliative care nursing team. The lead nurse should be visionary with a passion for palliative and end-of-life care and a focus on improving quality of life for patients with life-limiting illness, keeping patients at the heart of all you do.

Main responsibilities

• Lead and develop the CNS team in palliative care, contributing to the development and implementation of a consistent and effective specialist service and improving end-of-life choices for patients.
• Lead in partnership with ABUHB staff, specialist palliative care voluntary sector providers, and national bodies to support service redesign in line with the Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Futures Model.
• Improve standards of specialist palliative care by facilitating practice development and strengthening leadership to ensure patients and carers have a quality experience.
• Be integral to the Specialist Palliative Care senior management team and be accountable for leading and managing educational programmes in palliative care in response to identified nursing and AHP practice and service needs (in collaboration with ABUHB End of Life Care Board education work stream).
• Enhance communication between primary care, secondary care, and the voluntary sector to promote a seamless service and improved patient experience.

Note: This post is fixed term/secondment for 6 months due to secondment cover. Applicants must obtain permission from their current line manager prior to applying. Welsh language ability is desirable; Welsh and/or English speakers are welcome to apply.

About the organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation offering extensive opportunities for training, development, and career progression. The Health Board serves a population of 650,000 and employs over 16,000 staff. The Clinical Futures strategy focuses on care closer to home and high-quality hospital care when needed.

Details

• Date posted: 25 September 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: 8a
• Salary: £56,514 to £63,623 per annum
• Contract: Secondment
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Location: Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 2UB

Job requirements

You will find the full Job Description and Person Specification attached in the supporting documents or via Apply now to view in Trac.

Qualifications and/or Knowledge

• Registered General Nurse
• First level degree or equivalent experience
• Masters qualification or equivalent knowledge
• Palliative care qualification
• Evidence of CPD – portfolio of professional development activities

Desirable

• Teaching qualification
• Counselling qualification
• Leadership and management qualification

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience; experience in palliative care
• Experience at a senior level in a complex organisation; leading/managing a service
• Experience of working between primary and secondary care
• Experience in financial and staff management; service improvement or change management
• Advanced communication skills training

Values and Aptitudes

• Enthusiastic, committed, proactive and innovative
• Politically astute with high integrity; diplomatic, assertive, and approachable
• Ability to travel within the Health Board; IT literate; strong leadership and motivational skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team; capacity to learn and adopt best practice

Disclosures

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks. UK registration and visa sponsorship information applies as part of the recruitment process.