Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced nurse with a passion for palliative care to join our well‑established and progressive Supportive and Palliative Care Team at University Hospital Southampton.

This permanent Band 6 role offers the chance to make a real difference by providing specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care to adults across Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital.

This Band 6 role is central to UHS's goal to delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality care. As part of our supportive and palliative care team, you will enhance the patient and family experience, contribute to innovation in practice, and collaborate across services to ensure dignity and comfort for every patient.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
We run a 7 day a week service supporting patients with advanced life limiting conditions and those experiencing challenging symptoms as a result of their treatment for their life limiting condition. You will holistically assess patients who have specialist palliative care needs including complex symptoms, psychological needs, end of life care and advance care planning.

You will communicate effectively with patients/carers and provide advice and emotional support.

This post offers the framework to develop the knowledge and skills required to perform the role of Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. You will be closely supported through a programme of education, clinical supervision and practice development which will be designed to meet your specific learning needs.

We look forward to hearing from you if you are an experienced registered nurse with a background in providing palliative care for patients and a genuine desire to pursue a career in palliative and end of life care.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Person specification

Qualifications / Training Required
Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality or equivalent experience.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service

Desirable criteria

• Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
• Counselling qualification
• Palliative care course
• IT training

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together