Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a nurse with experience in supportive and palliative care to join our hospital based team for 1 year to cover maternity leave. Our excellent nursing team provides support to patients with life limiting illnesses across both inpatients and St Luke's Cancer Centre outpatients.

The team provide a 7 day, 9am - 5pm face to face service and the successful candidate would contribute to weekend working (1 in 6). The specialist nursing team works closely with the consultants and SpR in palliative medicine making this a very supportive team.

The role would commence in September 2026 for 12 months. For more information please contact Lucy Kellaway - lucy.kellaway1@nhs.net / 01483 464885

Main duties of the job
To contribute to the delivery of a high standard of supportive, palliative and end of life care within the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust.

The successful post-holder will independently assess and develop management plans for a caseload of patients with life limiting conditions across the inpatient wards and oncology outpatient clinics. They will act as a specialist resource Trustwide contributing to the continual review and development of the service.

About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

• Lead clinical care for a defined inpatient and outpatient caseload (with consultant oversight) by providing expert assessment and management of physical and psychological symptoms
• Provide expert clinical care to patients with life limiting illnesses from diagnosis to end of life care
• Contribute to the 7 day working rota
• Set up, advise on and manage syringe pumps and subcutaneous injections
• Actively support patients and their families, through communicating difficult and complex information using appropriate and individualised methods to ensure effective understanding, empowering them to make an informed decision about their care options
• Undertake sensitive discussions relating to Advance Care Planning, including supporting the patient and caregiver throughout the process and communicating these decisions to relevant healthcare professionals
• Signpost patients and caregivers to relevant support services
• Facilitate communication between local Trusts, primary and tertiary care

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse - Adult Part
• First level relevant degree
• Post-registration experience of Oncology nursing
• Extensive post-registration experience of Palliative Care nursing
• Extensive experience in managing symptoms in malignant and non-malignant disease
• Experience in leadership
• Understanding of current issues in Acute NHS setting
• Can demonstrate up-to-date clinical credibility/competence
• Knowledge of clinical governance issues such as complaints handling, clinical risk management
• Knowledge of current NHS and Professional issues
• Advanced communication skills and ability to undertake complex advance care planning conversations appropriately
• IT Skills, Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
• Equality and Diversity Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable

• Educated to Masters Level, or willingness to undertake course
• Advanced assessment qualification
• Independent / Non- medical prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake course

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.