Specialist Palliative Care Lead and Clinical Nurse Specialist

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester seeks a Specialist Palliative Care Lead and Clinical Nurse Specialist to lead the nursing team at Wythenshawe Hospital. This role includes managing patient care, enhancing clinical standards, and working closely with multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's qualification, relevant specialty certifications, and substantial leadership experience. This position offers a salary range of £55,690 to £62,682 annually, reflecting the scale of responsibilities within a supportive, diverse work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years at Band 7 in relevant setting/specialty.
• Evidence of effective teaching programmes delivered to staff groups.
• Participation in research and/or clinical audit.

Responsibilities

• Manage the specialist palliative care nursing team.
• Ensure high standards of clinical care for patients.
• Implement quality improvement work relevant to palliative care.

Skills

Higher levels of judgement, discretion and decision‑making in clinical practice

Analytical and judgemental skills on complex patient or operational issues

Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills

Problem solving

Ability to work independently

Education

Masters' qualification or equivalent knowledge

Current NMC Registration

Specialty qualification

Teaching qualification

Advanced Communication skills training

A registered non‑medical prescriber

Leadership Qualification

Job description

Specialist Palliative Care Lead and Clinical Nurse Specialist

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust – Wythenshawe Hospital

The closing date is 16 December 2025

To provide leadership and line management to the specialist palliative care nursing team at Wythenshawe Hospital. The post holder will be responsible for the provision and delivery of high‑quality services for patients referred into the palliative care service, and will work closely with the nursing leadership teams from across MFT and other relevant stakeholders to successfully implement the MFT Adult Supportive Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy.

The Specialist Palliative Care Team at Wythenshawe Hospital provides a 7‑day service. This post will include weekend working.

Main duties of the job

As lead specialist, be responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care and ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.

To accept clinical responsibility for a diverse and often complex caseload of patients, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under the post holder’s management.

Be responsible for ensuring that evidence‑based practice is inherent in all aspects of care and treatment, while ensuring this knowledge is disseminated throughout the clinical area, Trust, and externally as appropriate.

Be responsible for the assessment, planning, prioritising, implementation and evaluation of nursing interventions to meet the needs of the patient.

Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in your speciality; to interpret information and take appropriate action and lead others to do so.

The provision of expertise, advice and support to the generic workforce who support patients, families and carers will be a fundamental aspect of the role.

Lead and support others in the implementation of appropriate quality improvement work relevant to palliative and end‑of‑life care.

Plan and oversee a schedule of non‑clinical activities relevant to palliative and end‑of‑life care.

The post holder will be expected to be part of the weekend rota.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000‑plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services and with our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence, and driven to deliver innovation and continuous improvement. Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working—empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. For an even more informed decision you should read the Candidate Essentials Guide that accompanies the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions, is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters' qualification or equivalent knowledge
• Current NMC Registration
• Specialty qualification
• Teaching qualification
• Advanced Communication skills training
• A registered non‑medical prescriber
• Leadership Qualification

Skills

• Higher levels of judgement, discretion and decision‑making in clinical practice, care and programme management, clinical practice development and research.
• Analytical and judgemental skills on complex patient or operational issues
• Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills
• Problem solving
• Ability to work independently

Experience

• Minimum 3 years at Band 7 in relevant setting / specialty
• Portfolio of evidence showing achievements in practice/specialty
• Significant evidence of delivering teaching programmes to staff groups
• Evidence of presentations at local, regional, national level
• Participation in research and/or clinical audit.
• Leading a specialist service(s)
• Working with multidisciplinary students

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.

£55,690 to £62,682 a year (pro rata)