Band 6 Specialist Palliative Care Nurse

Job summary
An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Palliative Care Nurse to join the Specialist Palliative Care team in North Cumbria, working across the East of the county in the community, providing high-quality, person-centred care to patients and their families. The role offers the opportunity to develop specialist palliative care skills, working alongside Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), the Consultant in Palliative Medicine and the wider multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of compassionate care.

The post holder will manage a clinical caseload, prioritising and responding appropriately to the fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable needs of patients and families. They will work with a high degree of autonomy, using professional judgement and seeking support from senior colleagues when required. The post holder will work flexibly, according to the needs of the service.

This would be an ideal role for someone who has some knowledge and experience in palliative care and would like to develop their skills and pursue a specialism in this area of care, supported by an experienced specialist team.

Based between Penrith Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary (Carlisle), the post will support patients with palliative and end-of-life care needs, working closely with the wider clinical team and community services. The role is 37.5hrs per week, worked over 5 days - Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:30.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high-quality, person-centred specialist palliative care to patients and their families across East Cumbria.
• Work alongside Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Consultant in Palliative Medicine and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide specialist advice, assessment and support for patients with complex palliative care needs.
• Contribute to the assessment, management and review of patients, supporting effective symptom control, advance care planning and end-of-life care.
• Work collaboratively with hospital teams and community services to support safe, coordinated and timely care.
• Contribute to education, training and mentorship of colleagues within the hospital and wider multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and documentation in line with professional, clinical governance and organisational standards.

About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Details
Date posted: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year Per Annum Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 262-A-26-8339423
Closing date: 11 November 2026

Benefits

• 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
• Flexible working Scheme
• NHS Discounts*
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
• Excellent opportunities for development*
• Competitive NHS Pension scheme
• Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Essential qualifications and experience

• Registered Nurse (Level 1) with current professional registration.
• Evidence of sustained personal and professional development.
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Post-registration qualification or demonstrable specialist development in palliative care or a relevant field.
• Demonstrable specialist knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care.
• Experience assessing and managing patients with complex palliative care needs.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Understanding of multidisciplinary and cross-organisational working.
• Ability to apply evidence and professional guidance to practice.
• Experience supporting education, supervision or development of colleagues.

Essential skills and personal attributes

• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitively in difficult and emotionally challenging situations.
• Ability to work autonomously and prioritise competing demands.
• Sound clinical judgement and recognition of professional limitations.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to contribute to audit, quality improvement and service development.
• Competent IT and electronic record-keeping skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing service needs.
• Self-motivated, compassionate and approachable.
• Able to work effectively in unpredictable and emotionally demanding situations.
• Able to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and professional resilience.

Other essential requirements

• Satisfactory occupational health screening.
• Current driving licence and ability to travel between service locations where required.
• Ability and willingness to work across both hospital sites and provide support to community services where required.

Desirable

• Post-registration qualification in palliative care, oncology, advanced communication or another relevant clinical speciality.
• Experience of working within a specialist palliative care service.
• Experience or competence in non-medical prescribing.
• Knowledge of symptom management and the principles of palliative prescribing.

Disclosure and Barring Service
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please check your eligibility before applying. Relocation assistance may be available for certain posts. Please apply through our website.