Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training (15 month fixed-term contract)
Are you an experienced Registered Nurse with a passion for palliative and end of life care? Do you want to develop into a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within a supportive, Outstanding-rated hospice team?
Prospect Hospice is offering an exciting 15-month structured development pathway into a substantive Community Clinical Nurse Specialist role.
In October 2021, the Care Quality Commission rated our care as Outstanding. They said:
“Without exception, staff we talked with were proud to work for the hospice. Staff members told us the hospice was an excellent place to work and was made up of individuals who all have one common purpose; to provide high-quality, person-centred care.”
This is your opportunity to be part of that purpose.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week over 7 days (9am – 5pm with flexibility as required). Part time hours considered.
What is the role?
This is a development post designed to prepare an experienced nurse to transition into a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist position within 15 months within our Community CNS Team.
Working under the mentorship of a Senior CNS and the CNS Team Leader, you will:
- Complete a structured learning agreement and competency framework over 15 months
- Complete required competencies, assessments and workbook
- Manage a supervised caseload of patients with life-limiting illness in the community (home and care home settings)
- Develop advanced skills in clinical assessment, anticipatory care planning and complex decision-making
- Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and those important to them
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and clinical governance activities
- Contribute to education, audit and quality improvement initiatives
This role is ideal for a nurse with significant post-registration clinical experience who is ready to develop advanced practice skills in specialist palliative care. Subject to successful completion of the agreed competency framework within the 15-month period, and continued service need, the postholder will progress to a substantive Clinical Nurse Specialist position.
The role requires resilience, compassion, reflective practice and a genuine commitment to delivering excellence in end-of-life care.
Informal visits or calls are very welcome, please contact Sue Emmerson, CNS Team Leader on 01793 816126.
Interviews will be held on 24 March 2026
What we are looking for
- Registered Nurse with minimum 3-5 years post-registration experience
- Current NMC registration
- Experience caring for patients with palliative care needs and those who are dying
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work autonomously and manage workload effectively
- Commitment to professional development and reflective practice
- Full driving licence and access to own car (insured for business use)
- A compassionate, person-centred approach aligned to Prospect Hospice values
It would also be great if you have
- Experience in audit and quality improvement
- Knowledge of clinical governance principles
- Experience using reflective processes to improve practice
- Innovative approach to problem solving
We offer a great range of benefits, including:
- 27 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
- Membership of the NHS pension scheme is available for existing members
- Generous contributory pension scheme for all other staff
- Discounts with local retailers, gyms and service providers including Blue Light Discount Card
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing team
- Supportive induction, training and development
- A values led, inclusive working environment
How to Apply
Submit your application via the green “Apply” button or download the application form and email to hr@prospect-hospice.net
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Training – Job Description
Job Application Form
Aspire Values
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional NMC registration
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Equality & Diversity
Prospect Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our business and the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Please note, should we receive an overwhelming response for the job advertised, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.