Job summary
Are you looking for a role where you have the time to provide outstanding care to patients, support their families and friends, develop your clinical and communication skills, gain specialist knowledge in symptom management, and build a rewarding career in specialist palliative care?

The Senior Staff Nurse will lead a small nursing team who provide pain and symptom control, complex psychological support and end of life care for patients and their families. Implementing your current knowledge and skills, the role will allow you to develop your specialist knowledge of symptom control, enhance your communication skills and progress your career in specialist palliative care. Most importantly, in addition to your knowledge and skills, your values must align to those of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Hours for the role will be 30 hours per week, on a variable shift pattern across 7 days.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will:

• Be responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of outstanding care for an identified group of patients.
• Be responsible for providing initial and ongoing assessment of nursing needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of effective care plans and direct delivery of patient care on a daily basis.
• Act as nurse in charge, leading a well-coordinated effective shift. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency and unforeseen circumstances.
• Proactively contribute to integrated MDT meetings, including assessing the needs of referred patients into Specialist Palliative Care Services across West Cheshire and Deeside.
• Have line management responsibility for a group of health care assistants.
• Respond to Out of Hours queries via the Hospice Advice Line once identified as competent.

and will be able to:

• Demonstrate clear organisational, time management, personal and professional resilience and leadership skills.
• Demonstrate their passion to promote comfort, dignity, independence and patient choice.
• Use own initiative and work well under pressure.
• Demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities which are integral to the delivery of holistic specialist palliative care.

About us
You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team with a shared commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of those in our care. You will receive support and guidance through a dedicated induction programme, designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of caring for patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses. You'll also benefit from a range of support and benefits, including:

• Continuation of the NHS Pension Scheme for existing members or join the hospice pension scheme.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• A staff support programme including clinical supervision, confidential counselling and occupational health services.

Want some more information before making your decision? We would welcome the opportunity for informal discussion with you prior to your application, please contact Louise Hodgkinson, Hospice Lead Nurse on 01244 851091

Please note we do not currently have a sponsorship licence, and the successful candidate will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the above closing date, should we receive a high number of suitable applicants.

Details
Date posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £31,967 to £33,736 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: HOS1244595
Location: Gordon Lane, Backford, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 4DG

Job responsibilities
You will contribute and commit to promoting a positive team-based attitude, striving for the highest standards of care and achieving excellence, through continued development and compassion. As a Senior Nurse within the Hospice, you will support the Hospice Lead Nurse and will jointly lead a small nursing team.

The list below is to outline the main duties involved; however, this is subject to change and will vary within the given role.

We ask all employees to be flexible in their role, to always ensure we are delivering care of the highest standard.

Responsibilities

• To work as a senior team member providing support to the hospice lead nurse and deputy ward manager, with ward management responsibilities in their absence.
• To regularly take charge of the unit, allocating work to ensure the delivery of a safe, organised and high-quality clinical service throughout the 24-hour period.
• Responsible for jointly leading a small team of nursing staff, including line management responsibilities for the health care assistants within the team
• To take responsibility for overseeing the initial, and ongoing assessment, of nursing needs and the planning and delivery of effective plans of care.
• To contribute to and engage with developments within the hospice which will enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care
• Lead an identified team of nursing staff (including Staff Nurses, Assistant Practitioners and Health Care Assistants) in their delivery of patient care
• Have line management responsibilities for the health care assistants within their team including regular one to one meetings, absence management and performance appraisal
• Act as nurse in charge following a probationary period, directly assisting in the delivery of a safe, organised and high-quality clinical service throughout the 24-hour period. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.
• Implement timely admission and discharge planning.
• To delegate work appropriately to team members considering individual knowledge base, skill mix and patient dependency
• To contribute to delivery of direct patient care taking responsibility for assessment, care planning and ongoing evaluation of nursing needs
• To use effective interpersonal skills to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients and those important to them
• To ensure patient records are maintained and that documentation accurately reflects care provided
• To work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patients' needs are fully addressed within the hospice and on discharge
• Answer and respond to Out of Hours queries via the Hospice Advice Line in line with their competencies, regional and local guidelines.
• Act as a mentor and role model, lead by example and demonstrate consistent, fair and professional behaviour at all times, maintaining good personal time management and team working.
• Complete organisational competencies within the first 6 months
• Be accountable for their actions and omissions in practice and be able to justify decisions made
• Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times by self and by others and complying with data protection regulations
• To be involved in the delivery of formal and informal education to the multidisciplinary team
• To deputise for the hospice lead nurse and deputy ward manager including dealing sensitively and appropriately with all patient and other service user feedback, liaising with the hospice lead nurse and Director of Clinical Services as appropriate and implementing the complaints or Incident management policy as needed
• At all times work to hospice policies and procedures and ensure all mandatory training is completed as required

Knowledge and Experience

• Passion and motivation to promote comfort, dignity, independence and choice
• Cared for patients with advanced progressive disease and supported patients and families at end of life
• Able to manage conflict and de-escalate effectively
• Leading a small team
• Current 1st level registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Evidence of recent professional development, ideally including palliative care

Skills and Attributes

• Understanding of and ability to deliver a high standard of holistic nursing care in a palliative care setting
• Ability to empathise, demonstrate compassion and treat people with dignity and respect
• Able to communicate effectively with patients, carers and a variety of health and social care professionals regarding difficult and emotionally sensitive situations
• Problem solving skills, and able to work with others to produce workable solutions
• Motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Enthusiasm and desire to enhance skills
• Work flexibly around the needs of the Hospice
• Leadership qualities

Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Can plan and organise the work of others
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Empathy, compassion and desire to always treat people with dignity and respect
• Team leadership skills
• Enthusiasm, resourcefulness and desire to enhance their practice and skills
• Can work flexibly around the needs of the service

Desirable

• Intravenous Medication administration
• Cannulation and Venipuncture competency
• Effective use of clinical supervision and reflective practice

Qualifications
Essential

• Current 1st level Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Evidence of recent professional development, ideally including specialist palliative care
• Advance communication skills training or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• Specialist Palliative Care training or qualification
• Leadership or Management Training

Other Requirements
Essential

• Punctual, good health and attendance record
• Occupational Health clearance

Experience
Essential

• Passion and motivation to promote comfort, dignity, independence and choice
• Cared for patients with advanced progressive disease and supported patients and families at end of life
• Able to work on own initiative, with effective time management, whilst also working as part of a team
• Leading a small team / coordinating shifts

Desirable

• Policy development and implementation
• Implementing Change
• Clinical Audit
• Working knowledge of neurology or dementia
• Teaching and presenting in clinical practice

Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of competency in a variety of clinical skills
• Able to analyse and respond to complex situations under pressure
• Able to manage conflict and de-escalate effectively
• Proven IT skills
• Understanding of the Clinical Governance Framework

Desirable

• Change Management

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.

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: Hospice of the Good Shepherd
Employer's website: https://hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/

For questions about the job, contact: People and Development Officer, Claire Wilson, people.development@hospicegs.com

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