About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and compassionate experienced registered nurse to join the Specialist Palliative Care Service at UHDB as a Specialist Palliative Care Development Nurse.
This developmental Band 6 role offers a unique 18-month rotational fixed term contract or secondment across our specialist palliative care services, including the Nightingale Macmillan Inpatient Unit, Ward 2 (EOLC ward) at FNCH, Hospital Palliative Care Team at RDH + QHB and Community Palliative Care Team across Derbyshire. As a supernumerary member of the team, you will receive structured support and development to build the knowledge, skills and confidence required to become a specialist practitioner in palliative and end-of-life care.
Working alongside experienced nursing and medical colleagues, you will contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic, person-centred care for patients with complex palliative and supportive care needs. You will also provide advice, education and support to patients, families and multidisciplinary teams across a variety of healthcare settings.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills, resilience, professionalism and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Main duties of the job
Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating holistic, person-centred care for patients with specialist palliative and end-of-life care needs. Supporting patients, families and carers by providing expert advice, information and emotional support throughout their care journey. Developing specialist knowledge in symptom management, communication and complex palliative care, supported by a structured programme of education and mentorship. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across acute, community and hospice settings to ensure seamless, high-quality patient care. Acting as a patient advocate, maintaining dignity, respect and compassionate care at all times. Providing support, guidance and education to colleagues, patients and carers, contributing to the development of palliative and end-of-life care knowledge across services. Participating in nurse-led triage, care coordination and service development activities as your knowledge and competence develop. Contributing to audit, quality improvement, research and educational initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and service delivery. Working across multiple sites and clinical environments within the specialist palliative care service, supported by experienced clinical and professional leaders. This role provides an excellent opportunity to support a future career as a Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Closing date of applications: 1 October 2026
Interview date: 15 October 2026
About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:
Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond. Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes Key Facts:
We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day. We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week. An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country. Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily. Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres. We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres. We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day. UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AIgenerated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorshipSkilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers
Important visa information:Due to UK Home Office immigration rule changes effective from 22 July 2025, applicants sponsored under Occupation Code 6131 (Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants) may not be eligible to bring dependants under the Skilled Worker route if their Certificate of Sponsorship is issued on or after this date. Applicants are responsible for understanding how these rules apply to their individual circumstances. The Trust cannot provide immigration advice. Further information is available on theSkilled Worker visa: Your partner and children - GOV.UK
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa
Read about the Health and Care Visa for employing overseas nationals (excluding Irish citizens) under the points-based immigration system.
If you are considering applying for an internal secondment, please ensure you have discussed this with your line manager and obtained their support prior to submitting your application.
Please be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be released from your substantive post, so you should seek approval before applying as you are applying or a Secondment.
If you have any questions or require further guidance, please contact the Recruitment Team.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Current NMC registration with significant post-registration experience.
Desirable
Qualified to degree level or willingness to work towards one.
Experience & knowledge Essential
Experience of working with patients at the end of their life and palliative. Comprehensive knowledge of basic symptom control. IT literate.
Desirable
Experience of working across a range of healthcare settings, including care of patients with non-malignant disease. Experience of mentoring and supporting others using a variety of teaching and learning methods.
Communication Essential
Ability to communicate highly sensitive and complex information with empathy and compassion Able to negotiate, persuade, motivate, influence and reassure others.
Desirable
Advanced communication skills qualification.
Other Essential
Holds a valid UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle. Able to manage the emotional demands associated with specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Address Cross site RDH / QHB / FNCH and Community
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)