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Senior Staff Nurse, In-Patient Unit

£39,959 to £48,117 depending on experience

22.5 hours per week, shift patterns to be decided upon appointment

About Us

Rowans Hospice is a charity that provides free care and support to adults and their families living in the Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire region who have a life-limiting illness. Established in 1994, our income is generated by ongoing support of the local community, donations, legacies, fundraising and through our retail shops.

Your Role

The Senior Staff Nurse role will work across the In-Patient Unit, which is led by the Ward Manager who are responsible to the Clinical Director. The role is based at Rowans Hospice, Purbrook.

Job Purpose

The post holder is responsible for contributing to and the implementing of programmes of care in association with the sister. The post holder is also expected to carry out all relevant forms of care without direct supervision and to supervise, where necessary, other qualified and unqualified staff within the primary nursing team. To ensure continuity of set programmes of care in the absence of the primary nurse.

Key Areas of Responsibility / Key Accountabilities

To contribute with the assessment of patients and development of programmes of care. Ensure that programmes are implemented throughout the 24-hour period.
To maintain continuing personal contact with patients and their relatives and contribute with the evaluation of programmes of care.
To carry out and / or supervise the carrying out of specific treatments and clinical procedures. To base clinical practice on current research based evidence
To assess the needs of patients and carers requiring intervention from other professionals/therapies within and outside the hospice and refer appropriately.
To act as a clinical lead as appropriate i.e. infection control, wound care.
To provide advice on symptom control/care management to other health care professionals out of hours.
To verify when a death has occurred, notifying relatives and carers as appropriate.
To care for the deceased patient by administering last offices and ensuring the safe and timely removal of the body from the hospice.
To report to the Sister / Nurse Co-ordinator / Hospice Doctor any relevant information on the condition of specific patients, their care or treatment.
Out of hours to report to the on call Hospice Doctor any relevant information on the condition of specific patients, their care or treatment.
Out of hours report to the on call Senior Nurse as appropriate any immediate concerns related to the smooth running of the hospice.
To report any feedback, concerns and complaints from patients, their relatives, or others acting on their behalf and assist in the investigation as appropriate.
To administer drugs, and assist with their ordering and storage, in accordance with the NMC Standards for the Administration of Medicines. To recognise and report any errors or omissions in the administration of medications.
To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
To report to the Sister / Matron any matter affecting the smooth running of the unit.
To ensure knowledge about patients is maintained in the strictest confidence, and is not divulged, except to professionals where it would materially assist with the programme of care or protection of the individual (See Staff Handbook Confidentiality / Data Protection Act).
To demonstrate a consistent level of courtesy and consideration to patients, their relatives and visitors.
To promote a high quality of nursing by adhering to set standards.
To offer support within Day Care as required.
To contribute to the ordering and storage of clinical stores
To ensure that all nursing records are completed and updated at each shift change over.
To contribute to the written assessment of patients and referral of patients during admission and discharge planning; to supply relevant services with necessary information.
To complete a written assessment of bereavement vulnerability.
To ensure that clinical stores held on the Unit are used effectively and economically.
To inform, advise and teach patients, carers and staff on aspects of the patient’s condition and care required.
To develop and maintain own knowledge and skills in palliative care.
To maintain and extend management knowledge and skills.
To actively contribute and teach both formal and informal, unit based clinical education as appropriate.
To contribute to the development of HCSWs, student nurses and junior staff nurses by ensuring delivery of effective induction programmes and continuing development through appraisal and education.
To act as a mentor for students.
To attend lectures, formal meetings etc. to maintain professional update, adhere to aspects related to the Health and Safety at work act and promote the effective running of the Hospice.
To attend fire lecturers, manual handling training sessions, CPR lecturers and participate in fire drills as directed.
To be familiar with current research and developments within palliative care settings.
To undertake training and development as required for Hospice and personal development using clinical supervision, performance review and PREP as a basis for identifying training needs.
To take overall responsibility of the hospice when rotating on to night duty.
Completion of drug competency required.
To ensure that Infection Control standards are maintained within the ward setting, participating in audits and monitoring as required.
To take responsibility as nurse co-ordinator when rostered for the efficient running of the Inpatient Unit.
To chair Team Meetings at the request of the Sister, reporting to the Sister on her return or, if necessary to Clinical Director / Quality Manager.
To allocate staff, taking into account skill mix, to ensure continuity of care for the patients and their carers.
Ensure the ward is appropriately staffed to agreed staffing levels in the event of unexpected absence, including the booking of bank staff.
To contribute to the development of care provision by participating in standard setting and clinical audit in accordance with the Hospice clinical governance framework.
To support change within the nursing environment, supporting decisions by Managers.
To promote a harmonious environment by offering support to staff and giving them the opportunity to vent their feelings.
To assist with the recruitment of staff as appropriate.
To communicate effectively with patients, carers and the bereaved to establish and maintain trusting relationships.
To present patients and contribute to discussion at the multi-professional team meeting if working day shift.
To offer a high level of emotional support to patients and/or carers particularly during admission, breaking of bad news and around time of death.
To contribute to bereavement care offered to families by facilitating bereavement interviews and assessing risk factors for bereavement, referring to the bereavement service as necessary.
To sensitively handle out of hours enquires from community patients and carers.
To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the Primary Nursing Team, and all other Hospice employees including volunteers.
To ensure communication between members of the Primary Nursing Team is effective so the care needs of the patients can easily be transferred to the person or persons assuming continuity of care at the shift changeovers.
To promote the aims and ideals of the Hospice service to the general public.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills and Behaviours required

RGN or RN Adult Branch.
On NMC Register parts 1 or 12
ENB 931/285/237/998 or equivalent
Experience of using a palliative care approach to patient care
Experience of supervising A to D grades

Desirable

Experience in palliative care/oncology
Diploma level qualification or willingness to attain.
Teaching qualification/experience

Skills

Excellent basic nursing care skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to facilitate individualised evidence based care
Leadership insight with the evidence of effective team co-ordination skills
Ability to prioritise work load and be flexible to changing demands
Ability to share knowledge with others to develop and influence practice
Able to maintain active and contemporaneous records
Well-developed coping strategies
Personal grief resolved sufficiently to work within a palliative care setting

Knowledge

Good understanding of palliative care principles and philosophy.
Basic pain and symptom control knowledge.

What we Offer

In addition to working for a meaningful cause, we provide:

✔️Company pension (NHS pension retained if transferring from NHS)
✔️Continuous service recognised if transferring from NHS
✔️Health & wellbeing programme
✔️Life Assurance
✔️Employee Assistance Programme
✔️Free parking
✔️DSE equipment & uniforms provided
✔️Generous holiday allowance
✔️Career development opportunities
✔️Blue Light Card membership

Join Our Team

Apply today and be part of a dedicated team providing vital hospice care to the community.

Rowans Hospice is committed to equal opportunities and inclusion in the workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds.

For further information please review the Job Description and to apply for the role please use our online application form.

Rowans Hospice is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and vulnerable adults needing our care and support. Subsequently, our recruitment process is thorough, ensuring a consistent and detailed approach to gather information from and about candidates so that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Apply now and make a difference!

Closing date: 1 June 2026
Interview date: 8 June 2026 or 9 June 2026

Connect with a cause that needs you!

Senior Staff Nurse – In-patient Unit