Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Band 7 Developmental Role Specialist Nurse in Palliative Care

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Job summary

Developmental Role: Band 6-7 Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. Maternity Leave Cover (6 months) 1.0 WTE

Where the role is offered as a development post, the successful applicant will be paid at band 6 and would be competency assessed for a period of 3 months after which they will be paid at Band 7 once the set competencies have been met.The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a Band 6-7 Specialist Nurse Palliative Care to join our Hospital team covering the Royal Free Hospital. This post will involve developing the skills and competencies towards independently holding a patient caseload and advising nursing and medical colleagues on aspects of palliative care, teaching and supporting Trust staff and contributing to the development of specialist palliative care within the hospital setting.

The post holder will work in close collaboration with the specialist palliative care MDT and the ward teams, liaise regularly with the community services, and will be expected to contribute to the weekend working service.

We look forward to hearing from applicants who are registered nurses with a passion for palliative care, a relevant post registration qualification preferably in palliative care and an aptitude to study and work at Masters level. The applicant will need to demonstrate clinical expertise as well as excellent communication skills and a proven record of teaching in a clinical setting.

Main duties of the job

To manage a caseload and provide an expert and autonomous nursing service for patients with life limiting illness and potentially facing end of life care issues, and support them and their families, using advance clinical judgement and knowledge in palliative care.To lead and innovate nursing practice in palliative care on the Royal Free Hospital site to take part in a 7 day / week face to face clinical nurse specialist -specialist palliative care service.To contribute to the weekly specialist palliative care MDTTo design and deliver specialist palliative care education; and deliver end of life education.To support and mentor students in the team.To take part in the regular palliative care team programme of audit and review of clinical practice. To develop research skills and contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary research within palliative care.

We will offer continuing education, support, and development, to develop your skills as a clinical nurse specialist.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

Therapy Services has a high profile within the Trust, being firmly committed to quality improvement, audit, service evaluation and improvement. We undertake yearly presentations of our achievements for the year; undertaking PDSA and QI projects to ensure we are delivering the most effective, safe and high quality service.

For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-RFL-7733328

Job locations

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, NW3 2QG

London

NW3 2QG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification

Education and professional qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Post graduate qualification in relevant speciality or 2-3yrs experience in relevant speciality

Desirable

  • Teaching/mentorship qualification or teaching experience

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience in specialist palliative care or in caring for patients with a life limiting illness
  • Experience of teaching junior members of staff
  • Proven experience of improving the patient experience

Desirable

  • Previous experience of research and audit
  • Current experience of line managing staff

Skills and aptitudes

Essential

  • Knowledge of current advances and pathways of care relevant to speciality
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence
  • Computer skills
  • Ability to problem solve, prioritise and to work to deadlines
  • Ability to develop collaborative working relationships with multi professional teams
  • Demonstrates evidence of knowledge and ability to undertake change management
  • Able to manage stressful situations and challenge decisions to ensure patients needs are met
  • Able to lead, manage and motivate others in complex problem solving and assessment skills

Personal qualities and attributes

Essential

  • Be a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate credible and professional approach
  • Evidence of proven, on-going professional development
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to work as a team and form professional relationships with colleagues
  • Diplomatic and calm
  • To be flexible and approachable

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet the Trust values
Person Specification

Education and professional qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Post graduate qualification in relevant speciality or 2-3yrs experience in relevant speciality

Desirable

  • Teaching/mentorship qualification or teaching experience

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience in specialist palliative care or in caring for patients with a life limiting illness
  • Experience of teaching junior members of staff
  • Proven experience of improving the patient experience

Desirable

  • Previous experience of research and audit
  • Current experience of line managing staff

Skills and aptitudes

Essential

  • Knowledge of current advances and pathways of care relevant to speciality
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence
  • Computer skills
  • Ability to problem solve, prioritise and to work to deadlines
  • Ability to develop collaborative working relationships with multi professional teams
  • Demonstrates evidence of knowledge and ability to undertake change management
  • Able to manage stressful situations and challenge decisions to ensure patients needs are met
  • Able to lead, manage and motivate others in complex problem solving and assessment skills

Personal qualities and attributes

Essential

  • Be a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate credible and professional approach
  • Evidence of proven, on-going professional development
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to work as a team and form professional relationships with colleagues
  • Diplomatic and calm
  • To be flexible and approachable

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet the Trust values

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, NW3 2QG

London

NW3 2QG


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, NW3 2QG

London

NW3 2QG


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Nurse Consultant Palliative Care

Nicola Henawi

nicola.henawi@nhs.net

02078302905

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-RFL-7733328

Job locations

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, NW3 2QG

London

NW3 2QG


Supporting documents

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