Staff Nurse – In-patient
Unit
Job Type: Permanent, Part-time
Location: Katharine
House Hospice, Stafford
Salary: £24,613.60
– £31,066.40 (Actual)
£30,767.00 –
£38,833.00 per annum (full time equivalent)
dependent upon experience and qualifications
Hours: 30 hours per
week – shift working to include nights, weekends and bank holidays
Application deadline: 3rd August 2026, however may close earlier if over subscribed
Telephone Interview date: 11th August 2026
Face-to-Face Interviews: 17th August 2026
Are you a registered nurse who can provide outstanding palliative care
to patients?
Join Katharine House Hospice
Stafford in our In-Patient unit, where your work will help us provide
compassionate, professional and responsive care.
About us
Katharine
House Hospice offer the best care so that people in our community, affected by
progressive illnesses, can live their lives to the full.
The in-patient unit at Katharine House Hospice is a
specialist palliative care unit supporting adults with life-limiting illness.
We value people – so much
so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity.
We provide ongoing support with professional
development, access to staff counselling services and free parking. We are also
able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an
existing member.
The Role
As
a Nurse in our In Patient Unit you’ll work in a great team of dedicated staff
with the time to care for patients.
You
will work a rotational shift pattern, including nights, but we are willing to
consider flexible agreements providing they meet the needs of the service.
Your
opinion matters and we’ll listen to your views to help the department grow and
improve.
Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be
required for this role.
What’s in it for
you?
33 days per annum, which
includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10
years’ service.
We match contributions up
to 7%. If you’re currently contributing
to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.
Reassurance should the worst
happen. 2 x salary to your family.
-
Employee assistance programme
Providing support for your wellbeing.
-
Training and development opportunities
Continuous learning and professional growth.
-
Occupational sick pay
Support during times of illness.
-
Healthcare cash benefit plan
Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.
- Free on-site parking
- Free uniform and PPE
Skills and experience
- Current NMC registration
- Educated to at least degree level or equivalent
- A minimum of 6 months post registration experience is desirable
- Experience in providing Palliative or End of Life care gained through
clinical practice
Job Revision
This job description is subject to periodic revision
following discussions with the post holder
Infection Prevention and Control
In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the
post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of
infection within the capacity of their role.The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and
control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility
for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be
included in any personal development plan or appraisal.
Smoking
The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises
are considered No Smoking Zones
Health and Safety
All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety
practices and codes authorised by Katharine House Hospice. They have an equal
responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.
Confidentiality
Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a
condition of Katharine House Hospice employment that you will not use or
disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty
Accuracy of Data
The accuracy of Service User information is paramount
regardless of its format (hard copy or electronic). All staff collecting
and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do
so. All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between
the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care,
any errors or omissions should be identified and corrected. Such activity
should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care.
Join
us and make a difference
If you’re passionate about people
and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those
who need it most.
If you’d like to know more about
this role, without commitment, please contact Fay Smith or Carina Lowe on 01785
254645.
How to
apply:
Submit
a CV via indeed.
Please note we are unable to provide
sponsorship at this time, and due to the ongoing renovation works being carried
out at the Hospice, the role will be temporarily based at County Hospital until
works have been completed.
The closing date is 3rd
August 2026, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response
rates.
Internal applicants should apply
via an expression of interest letter outlining the reasons for your interest
and detailing any relevant experience.
Job Description
“We help local adults
with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through
free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we
support those close to them.”
Department and Role Objectives
The purpose of the Inpatient Unit (IPU) within
Katharine House Hospice (KHH) is to provide specialist palliative care
provision to adult patients, their carers and friends. To enable everyone to
embrace life and living.
The role of the
IPU Staff Nurse is to ensure that patients and families receive outstanding and
safe specialist palliative care while they are in the IPU.
To ensure that
the Nursing and the Care team work in an effective and efficient way and be
able to identify situations that require senior intervention or escalation as
needed.
The post holder
will have responsibility for development and maintaining competence in the
skills required to work in specialist palliative care.
They will play
a part in continuing to develop and maintain clinical standards ensuring
that Katharine House Hospice meets local and national standards for providing
Specialist Palliative Care.
Function
and Responsibilities
Summary
The post-holder
will form part of a team comprising IPU Lead Nurses (Team Leaders), Staff
Nurses, Nurse Associates and Health Care Assistants who will be responsible for
the delivery of high quality, patient-centred, holistic care to patients,
carers, and their families in the Inpatient Unit.
Specific Objectives
1. To ensure our patients and their
families receive an outstanding, caring service, professionally delivered
within a safe environment.
2. To lead and manage shifts within the
IPU.
3. Provide leadership, development, and
guidance to Junior IPU staff, Health Care Assistants and Students ensuring safe
and effective care is provided.
4. Along with the IPU Lead Nurse ensure
appropriate risk assessments and care plans are in place for all patients on
the Inpatient Unit.
5. To ensure that the admission and
discharge of patients is safe and effective and transfer documentation is of an
agreed standard.
6. Provide a level of care in line with NMC
Guidelines.
7. Maintain a safe, clean clinical
environment and identify any risks to patients, families, or staff.
Key
Tasks and Responsibilities
To meet the above broad objectives, the post
holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:
- Clinical
- Managerial
- Education
- Personnel
Core Responsibilities
Key Area – Responsibilities & Outputs
Clinical
- To work
clinically in practice to ensure a professional and patient focused approach
is evident, whilst developing and demonstrating a range of skills and
knowledge related to Palliative Care Nursing.
- Develop
clinical practice and act as a mentor to junior members of staff, Healthcare
Support Workers and Students.
- Ensure
relevant documentation is maintained on all patients according to identified
policies and procedures, Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Monitor your
own clinical practice and provide evidence-based nursing care within IPU
whilst developing competence in the role.
- Ensure that
clinical protocols, guidelines, and procedures are adhered to and take part
in ensuring that they are regularly updated.
- Ensure that
the clinical practice of other members of the nursing team is safe, sound and
evidence based. Be responsible for raising any concerns and be able to
identify remedial/supportive action to improve the clinical performance of a
staff member when needed.
- Act as role
model for all staff on IPU, providing professional nursing care when looking
after patients and families.
- Continue to
develop and demonstrate knowledge around pharmacological and
non-pharmacological management of symptoms such as pain.
- Develop an
understanding and take responsibility for managing controlled drugs on IPU
and ensure safe practice in line with agreed protocols.
- Develop an understanding and
application of the Safeguarding and Mental Capacity Policies and Guideline
and to report concerns to senior staff.
Managerial
- When able to
lead a shift take responsibility for prescribed staffing levels ensuring that
IPU is safe and report any concerns.
- Be aware of
the resource needed to provide care for patients, having due regard for the
skill mix available and the dependency score of patients. Report concerns to
the IPU Lead Nurse, as necessary.
- To take part
in clinical audit working within an agreed quality assurance framework to
monitor standards of care on IPU and across KHH.
- Use and
continuously assess the appropriateness of clinical documentation and the
clinical database on IPU.
- Take
responsibility for reporting critical information or exception reports to the
IPU Lead Nurse.
- Contribute
to the prompt investigation of complaints and adverse comments ensuring they
are escalated in a timely manner.
- Participate
in Katharine House Hospice meetings as required
Education
- Take part in
an annual appraisal and ensure own education and training needs are
identified to achieve KHH agreed competencies.
- Contribute
to and maintain a learning environment for all levels of staff and visitors
to the unit, including meeting University requirements as a suitable
placement area for students.
- Participate
in the provision of formal and informal education to Katharine House Hospice
staff, external staff, and visitors.
- Take
responsibility to ensure that mandatory training requirements are met.
Personnel
- Play
a part in reducing/avoiding stress within the team and being a role model for
the values of KHH.
- Be
proactive in your own personal and professional development and that of the
nursing and care team.
- Attend
statutory/mandatory updates.
- Work
within the guidelines laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code
of Professional Conduct
- Maintain
current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Work
within Health and Safety guidelines prepared by the Hospice.
Personal Development
Katharine House
will support the continuous development of the post holder who is expected to
be proactive in ensuring their own clinical supervision and identifying their
own developmental needs.
Competencies
Can meet/work towards achieving the
competencies as identified in the Katharine House Hospice competency document.
Job
Revision
This job description is not exhaustive, and the
employee may be asked to undertake other duties commensurate with the role.
This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with
the post holder.
Infection
Prevention and Control
In accordance with the Health and Social Care
Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and
control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend
infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates
and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the
course of their work. Infection
prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or
appraisal.
Health and Safety
All employees
have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by
Katharine House Hospice. They have an equal responsibility with management for
maintaining safe working practices.
Smoking
The hospice has a no smoking policy. All
hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones. Staff are not allowed to
smoke when wearing Katharine House Hospice Uniform.
Confidentiality
Patient and/or
staff information is confidential. It is a condition of Katharine House Hospice
employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information
obtained in the course of your duty.
Accuracy of Data
The accuracy of
Service User information is paramount regardless of its format (hard copy or
electronic). All staff collecting and processing sensitive client
information should be suitably trained to do so. All such data should be
monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on
systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be
identified and corrected. Such activity should be undertaken under the
guidance of the Director of Care.
This post requires the individual to consent to
an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Registered
Nurse/RMN on the NMC Register. – Essential
- Diploma
or Degree in Nursing – Essential
- Mentorship
Module completed – Desirable
- Post
Registration study relevant to Palliative and end of Life Care.9 – Desirable
Experience
- Has
experience in providing Palliative or End of Life care gained through
clinical practice. – Essential
- Qualified
6 months + – Desirable
- Has
evidence of Post Registration CPD relating to Palliative and End of Life Care – Desirable
Skills
and Attributes
- Team player and able to delegate tasks
to staff. – Essential
- Demonstrates leadership and can
motivate staff and act as a role model. – Desirable
- Can safely and efficiently lead a
shift taking responsibility for off duty and cover. – Desirable
- Demonstrates a non-judgemental and
empathic approach. – Essential
- A reflective practitioner who takes
part in supervision. – Essential
- Demonstrates safe practice and can
identify areas of unsafe practice and can deal with these reporting
appropriately. – Essential
- Ensures that they remain competent
themselves and take responsibility for the competence of junior staff. – Essential
- Has obtained Advanced communication
skills training and can demonstrate this skill. – Desirable
- Use initiative to problem solve and be
a solution focused member of the team. – Essential
- Will teach all members of the team and
other colleagues within the MDT. – Desirable
- Acts as a mentor for all staff and
students providing support and supervision. – Essential
- Keeps contemporaneous records in line
with the NMC standards. – Essential
- Identifies topics for and initiates
audit to ensure excellent standards of care can be demonstrated. – Essential
Knowledge
- Can assess,
plan, implement and evaluate holistic care including pain and symptom
control. – Essential
- Uses a range of assessment tools available to aid
with assessment. – Essential
- Can identify the deteriorating patient using
quantifiable tools such as the Prognostic Indicator Guidelines, or Karnofsky
score. – Desirable
- Has
completed advanced communication skills training and is able to deal with
difficult situations such as breaking bad news within recognised boundaries. – Desirable
- Has
extensive knowledge of the medications used in palliative care and can
administer these safely. – Desirable
- Can
recognise palliative emergencies and is able to manage these in a calm and
considered way. – Desirable
- Has
a good understanding of grief and bereavement and is able to support patients
and carers. – Desirable
Other
- Demonstrates initiative. – Essential
- Resilience – Essential
- Flexibility – Essential
- Self-motivated – Essential
- Able to work all shifts across 7 days. – Essential
- Can use resources effectively and efficiently. – Essential
- Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients. – Essential
- Ensures infection prevention measures are
maintained. – Essential
