Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Palliative Care CNS

The closing date is 20 July 2025

Job summary

The successful applicant will be a key member of the Palliative Care Team working to support a 7 day service on a rotational basis within the trust. We are small palliative care team that is visible on the wards, providing specialist palliative care. We are involved in exciting QI Front door and Respect Projects this year which the successful applicant would be supporting. We are involved in trust wide education and training to ensure palliative care is a focus on everyone's agenda.

A keen interest in palliative care is essential if not directly part of a palliative care team.

Main duties of the job

To apply specialist expert knowledge to effectively assess individual patients and implement patient centred plans of care. To communicate clearly and compassionately to ensure patients and families have the information they require. Facilitate discussions to encourage proactive decision making for end of life care. Ensure patients preferred place of care is clearly discussed and identified, ensuring anticipatory care plans are in place wherever possible. Co-ordinate supporting discharges from hospital to community care and being an advocate for patients and families.

1.1

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details

Date posted

04 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £54,931 a year incl HCAS per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

252-7254476-A

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Palliative Care CNS Role within District General Hospital - Please refer to job description for main role and responsibilities - see attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Palliative Care CNS Role within District General Hospital - Please refer to job description for main role and responsibilities - see attached.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse
  • Relevant post-registration clinical courses or evidence of continuing professional development
  • Clinical Assessment Skills working towards or willingness to undertake.
  • Non-medical prescribing course, working towards or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification or Masters level study involving palliative care, oncology/haematology, or other appropriate modules (or commitment to work towards)
  • Management or leadership course.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Advanced Communication Skills
  • Knowledge of symptom management and holistic needs assessments
  • Knowledge of national guidance on improvements for end of life care
  • Able to manage a clinical caseload
  • Able to recognise and resolve conflict or manage difficult situations
  • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Computer skills and competence in working across several types of software
  • Ability to work autonomously

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive palliative post registration experience ideally within hospice/ acute trust
  • Experience of multi and inter-disciplinary teamwork
  • Effective caseload and workload management
  • Experience in training and educating others
  • Experience of audit/research

Desirable

  • Experience working at Band 7 level (or equivalent), managing others
  • Experience in presenting to multi-disciplinary groups
  • Experience of gathering and analysing detailed information
  • Experience of Nurse Led Practice

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Able to meet the complex demands of the post
  • Conscientious and collaborative
  • Flexible approach, expected to work flexibly, including bank holidays and weekends
  • Resilience
Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse
  • Relevant post-registration clinical courses or evidence of continuing professional development
  • Clinical Assessment Skills working towards or willingness to undertake.
  • Non-medical prescribing course, working towards or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification or Masters level study involving palliative care, oncology/haematology, or other appropriate modules (or commitment to work towards)
  • Management or leadership course.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Advanced Communication Skills
  • Knowledge of symptom management and holistic needs assessments
  • Knowledge of national guidance on improvements for end of life care
  • Able to manage a clinical caseload
  • Able to recognise and resolve conflict or manage difficult situations
  • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Computer skills and competence in working across several types of software
  • Ability to work autonomously

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive palliative post registration experience ideally within hospice/ acute trust
  • Experience of multi and inter-disciplinary teamwork
  • Effective caseload and workload management
  • Experience in training and educating others
  • Experience of audit/research

Desirable

  • Experience working at Band 7 level (or equivalent), managing others
  • Experience in presenting to multi-disciplinary groups
  • Experience of gathering and analysing detailed information
  • Experience of Nurse Led Practice

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Able to meet the complex demands of the post
  • Conscientious and collaborative
  • Flexible approach, expected to work flexibly, including bank holidays and weekends
  • Resilience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Macmillan Lead Palliative Care CNS

Niamh Eve

niamh.eve3@nhs.net

01322428293

Details

Date posted

04 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £54,931 a year incl HCAS per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

252-7254476-A

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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