Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Specialist Palliative Care Team based at Sunderland Royal Hospital. You will be working alongside the specialist palliative care team in providing specialist input for patients with complex palliative and end of life care needs within Sunderland Royal Hospital
This role is a developmental role to support a Band 6 nurse to develop into a Band 7 Specialist Palliative Care Nurse over a period of up to 2 years.
Training and Education opportunities will be provided to ensure the successful applicant will have the required skills to provide specialist care and intervention, which would include Clinical Skills and Non-medical Nurse Prescribing.
We are looking for someone who has a passion for Palliative and End of Life Care and who is willing to provide education and training to deliver a high-quality service.
Main duties of the job
The nominal base for this role will be within Sunderland Royal Hospital however you will be required to work across both hospital; and community sites to provide educational support to the staff within STSFT
The hours of work are between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, with flexibility depending on service requirements.
Good communication skills and some knowledge and experience working with patients who have life limiting illness. Experience of MDT working and managing own caseload. A desire to work within a Team who deliver high quality patient care and work with their extended team in the hospital. Some understanding of the current local and strategic Palliative Care Issues and recommendations to support ongoing good practice. To have an understanding of how palliative care is delivered within the hospital and community setting.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
- Date posted: 21 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year PRO RATA AS PART TIME
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: C9155-CMNM-0726-35
- Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
A specialist nurse is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary role is to provide care, guidance and support which is based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.
The Palliative Care Specialist Support Nurse (Band 6) will:
Work as part of the multidisciplinary team working under the direction of line manager and Specialist Palliative Care Nurse (Band 7)
Continue to develop advanced knowledge and skills within Specialist Palliative Care.
Support with the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for Palliative and End of Life Care Patients under the direction of the line manager and Specialist Palliative Care Nurse (Band 7).
Support the development of nursing practice within the field of Specialist Palliative Care through the use of evidence based practice and in line with agreed national standards, and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
Work as an autonomous practitioner within their sphere of practice.
Continuously improve clinical standards in line with clinical governance framework.
Exercise accountability as set out in the NMC Code.
Contribute to training and education within the specialist area of Specialist Palliative Care under the direction of the End of Life Care Facilitators (Band 7) and Specialist Palliative Care Nurse (Band 7)
Provide specialist clinical advice and support to patients and clinical staff within the Trust on the management and care of patients within Specialist Palliative Care
Provide direct access for patients, either face to face or telephone consultation
Represent the service nationwide in the absence of the line manager/Matron.
Play a key role in ensuring that national and local standards/targets for the specialist area are met.
Support and undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist practice. Job Description Template April 2019 Version 2 Page 2 of 14
Comply with the Trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.
FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHEMENT
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of care delivery in palliative care
- Experience of the specialism, which would normally be gained through
- working at Band 5 or at Band 6
- Evidence of leadership activity
- Evidence of leading innovation in practice
- Evidence of leading change management
- Evidence of practice development
Desirable
- Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients Budget Management Participation in recruitment and selection process
- Experience in conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence
- Experience in implementing quality frameworks
Qualifications
Essential
- Current 1st level NMC registration
- Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree or evidence that
- currently working towards this (UK equivalent)
- Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable
- equivalent experience
- Clinical skills accreditation or willingness to complete
Desirable
- Leadership and Management Course basic knowledge of financial management
- Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete
Physical skills
Essential
- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling
- Policy.
- Carrying teaching equipment such as laptop, stationary etc.
- Manual dexterity and up to date working knowledge of equipment e.g. syringe drivers, infusion pumps etc
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Understanding of contemporary nursing issues
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Knowledge of how to facilitate learning
- Leadership skills
- Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues
- Knowledge of research and clinical audit
- Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and
- interpersonal dynamics
- Venepuncture and sub cutaneous drug administration
- Proven interpersonal skills
- Practice assessor / practice assessor skills
- Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate
- to the post
- Time management
- Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care
Desirable
- Qualification in specialty
- Resource management skills
- Counselling and appraisal skills
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist Palliative Care Development Nurse with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT in Sunderland, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Clinical nurse specialist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 to £48,117 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (21 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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