End of Life Specialist CNS

The post holder will advise and be the point of expert contact regarding palliation of symptoms in the last phase of life, working closely with clinical areas/wards across the Trust. Focussing on the provision of holistic care (delivering/co-delivering/facilitating others practice), the post holder will support 'better deaths' through enhanced communication with patients/families, and advice regarding symptom control; at times there may be the need to provide hands on care to support patients or when joint working with nursing colleagues/the MDT.

There is recognition that an acute hospital may not be a patient's preferred place of death, and therefore this role will also promote and facilitate active discharge in the last phase of life, for those patients where an acute bed is not wanted and/or needed

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

A. Provide specialist advice and support to colleagues within the Trust (and to external agencies, if required) in relation to EoL care within the Trust. Contributes toward care planning, and where appropriate, leads care planning in relation to symptom control, holistic support and pathways relating to preferred place of care/death. Visits areas/departments within the Trust, including ED and 'hot floors', in order to proactively identify and support EoL patients. Capable of working 'at pace' in often busy and challenged working environments, prioritising own workload/demands, based on patient priority and service needs; including the support of others in the team, with these aims in mind. Proactively facilitates timely discharge of those in the last phase of life to alternative locations of care (where an acute bed is not wanted/needed). Communicates sensitively with patients and carers/families viable options, taking into account overall healthcare picture in relation to system resources. Assists, senior colleagues in service improvement and pathway design. Supervises internal and external partner team colleagues, where appropriate. Actively communicates, fostering a relationship of mutual respect and joint working, with external and internal agencies in pursuit of outstanding patient care and choice.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

05 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-EG-DB8303134

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Hospital

PLYMOUTH

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist advice and support to colleagues within the Trust (and to external agencies, if required) in relation to EoL care within the Trust. Contributes toward care planning, and where appropriate, leads care planning in relation to symptom control, holistic support and pathways relating to preferred place of care/death. Visits areas/departments within the Trust, including ED and hot floors, in order to proactively identify and support EoL patients. Capable of working at pace in often busy and challenged working environments, prioritising own workload/demands, based on patient priority and service needs; including the support of others in the team, with these aims in mind. Proactively facilitates timely discharge of those in the last phase of life to alternative locations of care (where an acute bed is not wanted/needed). Communicates sensitively with patients and carers/families viable options, taking into account overall healthcare picture in relation to system resources. Assists, senior colleagues in service improvement and pathway design. Supervises internal and external partner team colleagues, where appropriate. Actively communicates, fostering a relationship of mutual respect and joint working, with external and internal agencies in pursuit of outstanding patient care and choice.

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist advice and support to colleagues within the Trust (and to external agencies, if required) in relation to EoL care within the Trust. Contributes toward care planning, and where appropriate, leads care planning in relation to symptom control, holistic support and pathways relating to preferred place of care/death. Visits areas/departments within the Trust, including ED and hot floors, in order to proactively identify and support EoL patients. Capable of working at pace in often busy and challenged working environments, prioritising own workload/demands, based on patient priority and service needs; including the support of others in the team, with these aims in mind. Proactively facilitates timely discharge of those in the last phase of life to alternative locations of care (where an acute bed is not wanted/needed). Communicates sensitively with patients and carers/families viable options, taking into account overall healthcare picture in relation to system resources. Assists, senior colleagues in service improvement and pathway design. Supervises internal and external partner team colleagues, where appropriate. Actively communicates, fostering a relationship of mutual respect and joint working, with external and internal agencies in pursuit of outstanding patient care and choice.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Proven evidence of recent and continuous professional development.
• Demonstrable contemporary experience in end of life care
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support regarding palliation and symptom control relating to the last phase of life
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support in last days of life
• An awareness of the discharge planning process and community provision of EoL care services
• Proven awareness of research and evidence based practice relating to palliative and end of life care
• Proven specialist knowledge obtained through formal end of life education, underpinned by work based experience
• Proven working knowledge of local and National guidelines relating to end of life care

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills qualification
• Demonstrable experience in the delivery of end of life care education/training
• Demonstrable experience in delivery of holistic end of life care/symptom control in community setting/non-acute care setting
• Demonstrable experience of the discharge planning process

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC/appropriate UK registration)
• Proven contemporary evidence of specialist training/education relating to end of life and palliative care

Desirable

• Proven evidence of Level 7 learning

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

• To form judgements involving complex facts, which require interpretation and consideration against a range of options
• Teaching and mentoring skills
• The ability to organise own specialist workload across a broad range of complex activities, many of which will be time sensitive
• Ability to demonstrate organisational skills
• The ability to advocate for patient and carer outcomes in a busy healthcare environment
• Ability to facilitate change within a work place
• Ability to negotiate novel and innovative outcomes in pursuit of 'good deaths'

Desirable

• Demonstrate potential management abilities
• Experience of facilitating positive patient outcomes in a busy healthcare environment

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

• Works in a calm and organised manner and mixes well as part of a cohesive team
• Open to challenges and will adapt to recognise the merits of others
• Ability to set own goals and work without supervision and can support others
• Solution focussed at all times; intrinsically innovative in approach

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a role where the postholder is a recognised, credible 'expert'

OTHER FACTORS

Essential

• Research and audit work is undertaken staff are encouraged to participate and be involved in the presentation of the outcomes/write for publication
• Consider ability to respond to unpredictable work pattern which is frequently interrupted
• The ability to work frequently over a 7 day rota
• Vehicle owner/own transport

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Proven evidence of recent and continuous professional development.
• Demonstrable contemporary experience in end of life care
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support regarding palliation and symptom control relating to the last phase of life
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support in last days of life
• An awareness of the discharge planning process and community provision of EoL care services
• Proven awareness of research and evidence based practice relating to palliative and end of life care
• Proven specialist knowledge obtained through formal end of life education, underpinned by work based experience
• Proven working knowledge of local and National guidelines relating to end of life care

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills qualification
• Demonstrable experience in the delivery of end of life care education/training
• Demonstrable experience in delivery of holistic end of life care/symptom control in community setting/non-acute care setting
• Demonstrable experience of the discharge planning process

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC/appropriate UK registration)
• Proven contemporary evidence of specialist training/education relating to end of life and palliative care

Desirable

• Proven evidence of Level 7 learning

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

• To form judgements involving complex facts, which require interpretation and consideration against a range of options
• Teaching and mentoring skills
• The ability to organise own specialist workload across a broad range of complex activities, many of which will be time sensitive
• Ability to demonstrate organisational skills
• The ability to advocate for patient and carer outcomes in a busy healthcare environment
• Ability to facilitate change within a work place
• Ability to negotiate novel and innovative outcomes in pursuit of 'good deaths'

Desirable

• Demonstrate potential management abilities
• Experience of facilitating positive patient outcomes in a busy healthcare environment

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

• Works in a calm and organised manner and mixes well as part of a cohesive team
• Open to challenges and will adapt to recognise the merits of others
• Ability to set own goals and work without supervision and can support others
• Solution focussed at all times; intrinsically innovative in approach

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a role where the postholder is a recognised, credible 'expert'

OTHER FACTORS

Essential

• Research and audit work is undertaken staff are encouraged to participate and be involved in the presentation of the outcomes/write for publication
• Consider ability to respond to unpredictable work pattern which is frequently interrupted
• The ability to work frequently over a 7 day rota
• Vehicle owner/own transport

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 .

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 .

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Hospital

PLYMOUTH

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Hospital

PLYMOUTH

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist advice and support to colleagues within the Trust (and to external agencies, if required) in relation to EoL care within the Trust. Contributes toward care planning, and where appropriate, leads care planning in relation to symptom control, holistic support and pathways relating to preferred place of care/death. Visits areas/departments within the Trust, including ED and hot floors, in order to proactively identify and support EoL patients. Capable of working at pace in often busy and challenged working environments, prioritising own workload/demands, based on patient priority and service needs; including the support of others in the team, with these aims in mind. Proactively facilitates timely discharge of those in the last phase of life to alternative locations of care (where an acute bed is not wanted/needed). Communicates sensitively with patients and carers/families viable options, taking into account overall healthcare picture in relation to system resources. Assists, senior colleagues in service improvement and pathway design. Supervises internal and external partner team colleagues, where appropriate. Actively communicates, fostering a relationship of mutual respect and joint working, with external and internal agencies in pursuit of outstanding patient care and choice.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Proven evidence of recent and continuous professional development.
• Demonstrable contemporary experience in end of life care
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support regarding palliation and symptom control relating to the last phase of life
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of specialist advice/support in last days of life
• An awareness of the discharge planning process and community provision of EoL care services
• Proven awareness of research and evidence based practice relating to palliative and end of life care
• Proven specialist knowledge obtained through formal end of life education, underpinned by work based experience
• Proven working knowledge of local and National guidelines relating to end of life care

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills qualification
• Demonstrable experience in the delivery of end of life care education/training
• Demonstrable experience in delivery of holistic end of life care/symptom control in community setting/non-acute care setting
• Demonstrable experience of the discharge planning process

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC/appropriate UK registration)
• Proven contemporary evidence of specialist training/education relating to end of life and palliative care

Desirable

• Proven evidence of Level 7 learning

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

• To form judgements involving complex facts, which require interpretation and consideration against a range of options
• Teaching and mentoring skills
• The ability to organise own specialist workload across a broad range of complex activities, many of which will be time sensitive
• Ability to demonstrate organisational skills
• The ability to advocate for patient and carer outcomes in a busy healthcare environment
• Ability to facilitate change within a work place
• Ability to negotiate novel and innovative outcomes in pursuit of 'good deaths'

Desirable

• Demonstrate potential management abilities
• Experience of facilitating positive patient outcomes in a busy healthcare environment

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

• Works in a calm and organised manner and mixes well as part of a cohesive team
• Open to challenges and will adapt to recognise the merits of others
• Ability to set own goals and work without supervision and can support others
• Solution focussed at all times; intrinsically innovative in approach

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a role where the postholder is a recognised, credible 'expert'

OTHER FACTORS

Essential

• Research and audit work is undertaken staff are encouraged to participate and be involved in the presentation of the outcomes/write for publication
• Consider ability to respond to unpredictable work pattern which is frequently interrupted
• The ability to work frequently over a 7 day rota
• Vehicle owner/own transport