Nursing Associate - Inpatient Unit

Katharine-House-Hospice; Stafford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 33 days incl bank hols

NHS pension contributions match

Employee assistance programme

Training and development opportunities

Sick pay

Healthcare cash plan

Free on-site parking

Free uniform and PPE

Job summary

Katharine House Hospice in Stafford is seeking a Nursing Associate to join the In-Patient Unit on a 30-hour per week basis. The role involves delivering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care under supervision, developing clinical skills, and contributing to a compassionate care environment.

You will work within a dynamic team, adhering to care plans and policies, with emphasis on patient dignity, autonomy, and collaborative practice.

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration.
• Minimum 6 months post-registration experience desirable.
• Experience in providing palliative or end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality compassionate care under guidance of a registered nurse.
• Contribute to assessment, planning, and delivery of patient care.
• Maintain clinical standards and infection prevention practices.
• Escalate concerns and collaborate with the care team to meet patient needs.

Skills

NMC registration

Teamwork

Communication

Education

NMC Nursing Associate registration

Job description

Part-time Permanent Employee

Posted 19 Oct 2026

Description

Job Type: Permanent, Part-time

Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford

dependent upon experience and qualifications

Hours: 30 hours per week – shift working to include nights, weekends and bank holidays

Application deadline: 2nd November 2026 however may close earlier if over subscribed

Telephone Interview date: 6th November 2026

Face-to-Face Interviews: 17th November 2026

Are you a registered nurse who can provide outstanding palliative care to patients?

Join Katharine House Hospice Stafford in our In-Patient unit, where your work will help us provide compassionate, professional and responsive care.

About us

Katharine House Hospice offer the best care so that people in our community, affected by progressive illnesses, can live their lives to the full.

The in-patient unit at Katharine House Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit supporting adults with life-limiting illness.

We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity.

We provide ongoing support with professional development, access to staff counselling services and free parking. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member.

The Role

There is an opportunity for a Nursing Associate to join our dynamic team on our 10 bedded In Patient Unit. If you are a motivated, enthusiastic Nursing Associate with excellent standards of patient care and outstanding communication skills this may be the role you are looking for.

The post holder will be expected to exercise a high level of autonomy and make clinical judgements using their knowledge and skills in order to provide a high standard of holistic patient care, developing and practising within the hospice’s care plans, clinical policies and procedures.

The post holder will demonstrate excellent team-working skills and be able to demonstrate confident decision making whilst maintaining and developing service quality by supporting a culture of continuous improvement. You must have current Nursing Associate registration with the NMC.

Your opinion matters and we’ll listen to your views to help the department grow and improve.

Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role.

What’s in it for you?

• Annual leave
• 33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years’ service.
• We match contributions up to 7%. If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.
• Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.
• Employee assistance programme Providing support for your wellbeing.
• Training and development opportunities Continuous learning and professional growth.
• Occupational sick pay Support during times of illness.
• Healthcare cash benefit plan Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.
• Free on-site parking
• Free uniform and PPE

Skills and experience

• Current NMC registration
• A minimum of 6 months post registration experience is desirable
• Experience in providing Palliative or End of Life care gained through clinical practice

Join us and make a difference

If you’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact Fay Smith or Carina Lowe on 01785 254645.

Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time, and due to the ongoing renovation works being carried out at the Hospice, the role will be temporarily based at County Hospital until works have been completed.

The closing date is 2nd November 2026, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates.

Job Description - Nursing Associate

Mission

“We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.”

Purpose and impact

The purpose of the Inpatient Unit within KHH is to provide specialist palliative care provision to adult patients, their carers and friends within the palliative care philosophy framework identified by the World Health Organisation.

Part of the team

The post holder will deliver high quality compassionate care under the guidance of a Registered Nurse with a focus on delivering palliative and end of life care.

To contribute to the Nursing and the Care team, and work in an effective and efficient way and be able to identify situations that require senior intervention or escalation as needed.

The post holder will have responsibility for development and maintaining competence in the skills required to work in a specialist palliative care environment.

They will play a part in continuing to develop and maintain clinical standards ensuring that Katharine House Hospice meets local and national standards for providing Specialist Palliative Care.

Function and Responsibilities

Specific Objectives

The Nursing Associate will be an integral member of the care team reporting to the RN who is leading the shift. They will contribute to the ongoing care of patients and their carers who have been admitted for symptom control or for End of Life Care.

Summary

• Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual
• Carry out specific delegated clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.

The post holder will ensure they comply with Katharine House policies and procedures.

Core Responsibilities

To meet the above broad objectives, the post holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:

• Clinical
• Managerial
• Education
• Personnel

Clinical

• Understand all the elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care
• Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting independence where possible.
• Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse.
• Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs as agreed with the RN and after achieving the agreed competencies.
• Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake.
• Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate.
• Report back and share information with the registered nurses on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals.
• Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the Registered Nurse.
• Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across IPU.
• Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers.
• Assist in the delivery of complex care as prescribed by the registered nurse. Including administration of medicines as agreed by KHH.
• Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities.
• Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes.
• Engage in reflective practice, including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.
• Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures.
• Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse

or registered care professional

as required.

Managerial

• Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities.
• Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals.

Education

• Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff.
• Develop knowledge of the scope of practice of the Nursing Associate role within palliative and end of life care.
• Develop practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills to work confidently in palliative and end of life care.
• Contribute towards developing a culture of learning and innovation, developing a high quality learning environment for all health care professionals.

Personnel

• Complete Nurse Associate competencies – appropriate to the agreed role.
• Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Attend annual statutory updates as required by the Healthcare Commission and Katharine House Hospice annual mandatory updates.
• Participate in appraisal and undertake appraisal of junior staff.
• Participate in continuing education and other activities to promote own professional growth.
• Demonstrate an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.
• Recognise stress in self and seek support as requires.
• Demonstrate the use of reflective practice.
• Maintain current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Personal Development

Katharine House will support the continuous development of the post holder who is expected to be proactive in ensuring their own clinical supervision and identifying their own developmental needs.

Can meet/work towards achieving the competencies as identified in the Katharine House Hospice competency document.

Job Revision

This job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be asked to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with the post holder.

Infection Prevention and Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

Health and Safety

All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by Katharine House Hospice. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.

The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones. Staff are not allowed to smoke when wearing Katharine House Hospice Uniform.

Confidentiality

Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of Katharine House Hospice employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty

Accuracy of Data

The accuracy of Service User information is paramount regardless of its format (hard copy or electronic). All staff collecting and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do so. All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be identified and corrected. Such activity should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care.

This post requires the individual to consent to an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service

General Induction Requirements

To attend an Induction Training Course held at the Hospice.

Post Holder Specific Training Requirements.

To attend any training courses relating to the development of this position.

To attend all statutory training.

To wear all statutory PPE.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Nursing Associate

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse Associate on the NMC Register. - Essential
• GCSE or skills level 2 in Maths and English. - Essential

Experience

• Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision. - Essential
• Experience of receiving and providing complex information. - Essential
• Experience of working in palliative and end of life care. - Desirable

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to take part in reflective practice - Desirable
• Ability to organise own workload - Essential
• Ability to deal with an unpredictable workload. - Essential
• Has effective communication skills and can build therapeutic relationships with patients and families. - Essential
• Can act as a role model to Nursing Associate Students. - Essential

Knowledge

• Understanding of the scope and role of the Nursing Associate and how the role can contribute to service developments. - Essential
• Understands when to ask for advice or when to elevate to the RN. - Essential
• Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards. - Essential
• Understands the rationale for following procedures and guidelines. - Essential

Other

• Demonstrates initiative. - Essential
• Resilience - Essential
• Flexibility - Essential
• Self-motivated - Essential
• Able to work all shifts across 7 days. - Essential
• Can use resources effectively and efficiently - Essential
• Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients - Essential
• Ensures infection prevention measures are maintained. - Essential

Company Overview

Katharine House Hospice’s aim is to enable people with incurable illnesses to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have, as well as supporting their loved ones. Our care is free and provided where and when it is needed most – in the community, at home, or at our hospice.