Job requirements
Essential
19 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Qualities
Demonstrates professionalism, empathy and emotional resilience
- Qualities
Ability to work independently using initiative and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Qualities
Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients and the service.
- Qualities
Effective time management and organisational skills
- Qualities
Demonstrates reflective practice and openness to feedback
- Qualities
Physically able to meet the demands of the role, with appropriate self-care strategies
- Experience
Post-registration experience as a Staff Nurse, demonstrating safe and effective Clinical practice
- Experience
Experience supporting people with complex health needs, including those with long-term or life-limiting conditions.
- Experience
Experience managing challenging, emotionally demanding or distressing situations in a professional manner
- Experience
Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Communication
Effective verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, carers, colleagues and external professionals.
- Communication
Ability to communicate sensitively and compassionately with people who may be distressed, anxious or approaching end of life.
- Communication
Ability to maintain accurate, timely and confidential clinical records in line with professional standards
- Qualifications
Registered Nurse with NMC registration
- Qualifications
Willingness and ability to undertake further training relevant to palliative and end-of-life care
- Skills & Knowledge
Sound clinical knowledge appropriate to professional role, including holistic assessment and care planning
- Skills & Knowledge
Ability to recognise deterioration, distress or crisis and take appropriate timely action.
- Skills & Knowledge
Understanding of person-centered and the physical, emotional, social and spiritual impact of illness on individuals and families
- Skills & Knowledge
Ability to prioritise workload, manage time effectively and adapt to changing clinical demands.
Desirable
11 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of working in palliative, hospice, community or end-of-life care settings
- Experience
Experience of supporting individuals with mental health needs, learning disabilities or sensory impairments
- Communication
Skills in communicating with people with specific communication needs including learning disabilities and sensory disabilities
- Qualifications
Diploma or Credit in Palliative Care (or equivalent qualification)
- Qualifications
Completion of recognised Communication Skills training
- Qualifications
Successful completion of a Holistic End of Life Care course (or equivalent)
- Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge of symptom control and supportive care approaches within palliative or end-of-life care
- Skills & Knowledge
Understanding of how community, hospice, primary and acute care services interface
- Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge of safeguarding principles and professional responsibilities
- Skills & Knowledge
Awareness of St Helena Hospice or hospice philosophy and the services it provides
- Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care need
Job summary
Are you a registered nurse looking for a new challenge? Are you passionate and enthusiastic about providing excellent palliative care?
St Helena hospice have an exciting opportunity for a Staff Nurse to join our Hospice IPU team.
You will be working as part of a team to provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluating care needs.
Please note we are unable to offer UK sponsorship
Main duties of the job
Provide high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives, including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care needs.
Organise day-to-day work tasks and direct less experienced or junior colleagues. Ensure that patient safety is always maintained.
About us
St Helena Hospices core values and behaviours will be embedded in our recruitment, our training and development review and our decision making process.
Training and competencies within the specialities, as well as on-going support and professional development, will be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Whether you are newly qualified or and experienced practitioner, we want to meet your and discuss the possibility of your joining this great Team.
In return we offer;
- A competitive and progressive salary, in line with NHS agenda for change.
- Enhanced hourly rates for working unsocial hours
- NHS Pension (for active members who wish to transfer and continue their membership)
- Group Pension Plan for non NHS Pension Staff
- At Least 27 days Annual Leave, plus statutory Bank Holidays
- Clinical Supervision
- Schwartz Rounds
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing support
- We cover the cost of your DBS Check and the periodic renewal
- Uniform provided
- Free on site parking
- Subsidised dining and complimentary drinks
Details
- Date posted: 09 October 2026
- Pay scheme: Other
- Salary: £30,719.25 to £37,395.08 a year depending on experience
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: B0423-26-0032
- Job locations: Myland Hall, Barncroft Close, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9JU, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Participate as a member of the inter-disciplinary team in assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating care and meeting the needs of patients: hygiene, elimination, nutritional, mobilising, pain, maintaining independence. Work as part of a team to provide psychological, emotional, spiritual and social support to patients and families whose lives are affected by illness, loss and grief
Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of valuables and belongings.
Assist at times with the post-bereavement family visit to view the deceased and advise on the next steps for the bereaved families.
Maintaining health & safety within the ward area i.e. ensure fire exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked and hazards removed and reported.
Ensure that all procedures are carried out are in accordance with agreed standards of care and assist in identifying where existing standards should be updated.
Ensure Infection Control Policies and Procedures are strictly adhered to.
Ensure that all information recorded is in accordance with St Helena policy (i.e. patient records, incident/accident reports, computer records).
Ensure that all medication is administered in accordance with St Helena policy and NMC regulations
Supervise, direct and train, qualified and unqualified nurses, this will include addressing areas of poor practice.
Address body image and sexuality issues with patients and/or relatives.
Check and ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use.
Effectively manage time to meet the needs of patients.
Be shift leader, after having shadow shifts and support with the role
Assist with the admission and discharge processes when needed, including facilitating admission and any potential emergency admissions on weekends.
Participate positively in Clinical Supervision in order to develop standards of clinical practice and for support.
Develop awareness of emotional needs of patients and families and the sensitivity and communication skills to meet these needs.
Act as co-worker for patients providing effective communication with keyworkers to ensure continuity of care for patients across St Helena services.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Staff Nurse with St Helena Hospice in Colchester, England. It is listed as a Staff nurse role. The advertised salary is £30719.25 to £37395.08. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Oct 2026.
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