Staff Nurse – IPU

The Rowans Hospice; Purbrook; On-site; GBP 32,073 - 39,034; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Health and wellbeing programme

Free parking

Career development opportunities

Job summary

The Rowans Hospice is looking for a dedicated Staff Nurse to join their in-patient unit in Purbrook. In this role, you'll provide compassionate nursing care to patients and their families dealing with life-limiting conditions. You'll be responsible for assessing patients, developing care programs, and maintaining health and safety standards.

We're committed to high-quality nursing services and require a Registered Nurse with strong communication skills and experience in palliative care preferred.

Qualifications

• Registered RGN or RN Adult Branch, NMC Register parts 1 or 12.
• Experience in palliative care or oncology (desirable).
• Excellent basic nursing care skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients in the in-patient unit.
• Contribute to the assessment and development of care programmes.
• Administer drugs and maintain patient confidentiality.

Skills

Registered RGN or RN Adult Branch

Experience in palliative care or oncology

Excellent basic nursing care skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to prioritise workload

Education

Diploma-level qualification or willingness to attain

Job description

Staff Nurse, In‑patient Unit

£32,073 – £39,034 FTE, 37.5 hours per week, seven‑day shift pattern.

Rowans Hospice is a charity providing free care and support to adults and families with life‑limiting illnesses in Portsmouth and South‑East Hampshire. The role is based at Rowans Hospice, Purbrook.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the assessment and development of programmes of care, ensuring implementation throughout the 24‑hour period.
• Maintain personal contact with patients and relatives, evaluate programmes of care.
• Carry out specific treatments and clinical procedures, basing practice on current research‑based evidence.
• Assess needs of patients and carers, refer appropriately to other professionals or therapies, seeking support from senior staff as needed.
• Verify death, notify relatives and carers, and care for the deceased by administering last offices and arranging removal of the body.
• Report to the Sister / Nurse Co‑ordinator / Hospice Doctor any relevant information on patient condition, care or treatment.
• Report feedback, concerns, complaints from patients or relatives and assist in investigations.
• Administer drugs, assist with ordering and storage in accordance with NMC Standards for the Administration of Medicines, recognising and reporting errors.
• Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Report any matter affecting smooth running of the unit to the Sister / Nurse Co‑ordinator / Matron.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information, disclosing only to professionals where it materially assists care or protection.
• Demonstrate courtesy and consideration to patients, relatives and visitors.
• Promote high quality nursing by adhering to set standards.
• Offer support within Day Care as required.
• Contribute to ordering and storage of clinical stores.
• Ensure nursing records are completed and updated at each shift change.
• Assist in written assessment and referral of patients during admission and discharge planning, supplying relevant services with necessary information.
• With support of senior staff complete written assessment of bereavement vulnerability.
• Participate in standard setting and clinical audit in accordance with the Charitable Governance framework.
• Support change within the nursing environment, assisting Manager decisions.
• Provide emotional support to patients and/or carers during admission, breaking of bad news and around time of death.
• Facilitate bereavement interviews and assess risk factors for bereavement, referring to the bereavement service as necessary.
• Handle out‑of‑hours enquiries from community patients and carers sensitively.
• Maintain effective relationships with the Sisters Team and all other Hospice employees including volunteers.
• Ensure effective communication of care needs during shift changeovers.
• Promote the aims and ideals of the Hospice to the general public.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: patients, carers, relatives, Hospice staff, volunteers.
• External: NHS Trusts, Primary Health Care Teams, other hospices, charities, nursing homes, social services, emergency services, funeral directors, coroner.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills and Behaviours

• Registered RGN or RN Adult Branch, NMC Register parts 1 or 12.
• Experience in palliative care or oncology (desirable).
• Diploma‑level qualification or willingness to attain.
• Excellent basic nursing care skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and adapt to changing demands.
• Ability to share knowledge with others to develop and influence practice.
• Ability to maintain active and contemporaneous records.
• Awareness of own coping strategies.
• Personal grief resolved sufficiently to work within a palliative care setting.
• Basic understanding of palliative care principles and philosophy.

Benefits

• Company pension (NHS pension retained if transferring from NHS).
• Continuous service recognised if transferring from NHS.
• Health and wellbeing programme.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free parking.
• DSE equipment and uniforms provided.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Career development opportunities.
• Blue Light Card membership.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Rowans Hospice is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to follow the Code of Conduct and comply with policies and procedures. The Hospice is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and vulnerable adults needing our care and support.

Closing Information

Closing date: 31 May 2026. Interview dates: 07 June 2026 or 08 June 2026.