Staff Nurse – In-patient
Unit
Job Type: Permanent, Part-time
Location: Katharine
House Hospice, Stafford
Salary: £31,843.84
– £40,192 per annum (full time equivalent)
dependent upon experience and qualifications
£25,475.07 – £32,153.60 (Actual)
Hours: 30 hours per
week – shift working to include nights, weekends and bank holidays
Application deadline: 20th May 2026
Telephone Interview date: 28th May 2026
Face-to-Face Interviews: 1st June 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 as our ratio of staff to patients is two to
eight.
You
will work a rotational shift pattern, including nights, but we are willing to
consider flexible agreements to suit 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
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:
You can download an
application pack and/or apply online below
Alternatively you can
email recruitment@khhospice.org.uk or call the
Personnel Team on 01785 218257 to request an application pack.
Closing date: 20th
May 2026
Viewing
this vacancy on a website other than khhospice.org.uk? Please go to https://www.khhospice.org.uk/vacancy/staff-nurse-ipu/
Internal applicants should apply
via an expression of interest letter outlining the reasons for your interest
and detailing any relevant experience.
Job Description
IPU Staff Nurse
“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
