About this role
Job summary
Make a difference at the most important time of life
Location: Taunton & YeovilWorking pattern: Full-time (with participation in on-call rota)
Were looking for a senior nurse ready to play a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our hospice services. As Access Team Lead, you will provide clinical and operational leadership, managing our Advice Line and Central Referral Centre Administration teams.
This is a role where you can make a meaningful impact ensuring patients and families receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Youll also lead your team through a period of development, strengthening performance, and building a positive, accountable and supportive team culture.
If you are passionate about leading high-quality palliative care services and want to be part of an organisation that puts people first, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
You will lead and develop a high-performing Advice Line and Administration team, driving forward service transformation and innovation while maintaining responsive, compassionate care for patients and families.
A compassionate and resilient leader, you will balance high standards with a supportive, inclusive approach to team development.
Key aspects of the role include:
Leading the triage and referral process, ensuring timely, safe and appropriate responsesProviding expert clinical advice for complex palliative and end of life care needsManaging team performance, rotas, recruitment and developmentUsing data and quality improvement methods to enhance service delivery and patient experienceWorking collaboratively with internal teams and other external health care services to ensure coordinated careYou will also play a key role in supporting service transformation and ensuring the new model is sustainable, effective, and responsive to demand.
About us
At St Margarets Hospice Care, youll be part of a compassionate, forward-thinking organisation where your work truly matters.
We offer:
The opportunity to lead innovative service development A supportive, inclusive working culture focused on wellbeing Ongoing professional development and education opportunities The chance to make a real difference to patients and families at the most important time of their lives.Holiday entitlement
33 days including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time) Recognise continuous service for clinical staff paid at band 5+ who join directly from the NHS or another hospice Ability to buy and sell annual leavePension scheme
NHS pension continuation where applicable* 6% employer / 5% employee contribution for non-NHS staffAdditional Benefits
Life assurance cover (2x salary) Health Cash Plans Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, counselling, wellbeing support, and legal/financial advice Blue Light Discount Card Enhanced maternity leave* Excellent learning and development opportunities Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton Opportunities to volunteer and support fundraising initiatives*Eligibility criteria applies
Job description Job responsibilities
Responsibilities
Practice and leadership
Provide day-to-day operational leadership for the Access Team through transition to business-as-usual, including recruitment, induction, rota/off-duty planning, and performance oversight. Role model specialist palliative and end of life care practice, embedding consistent triage standards, documentation quality, and person-centred decision-making. Provide clinical leadership to support safe, timely triage and advice line activity, including escalation decisions and complex case review. Create and sustain a positive, inclusive working culture, supporting wellbeing, resilience and psychological safety within a team working with distressing and end of life situations. Use service data, feedback and quality metrics to identify priorities, manage demand and capacity, and drive continuous improvement. Take and analyse a clinical history in a relevant, succinct and logical manner, remotely and/or face to face. Use specialist assessment and clinical reasoning to triage, assess, plan and coordinate care for people with palliative and end of life care needs. Apply knowledge of community, hospice and system resources to support timely, appropriate pathways and care in the place of choice where possible. Use physical assessment and clinical reasoning skills to inform safe advice, professional communication and high-quality documentation. Undertake non-medical prescribing within scope of practice and in accordance with organisational policy (where qualified). Recognise and manage palliative care emergencies, following agreed escalation pathways. Support advance care planning and treatment escalation planning, sharing information through appropriate IT platforms. Act as a specialist resource to colleagues and partners on palliative and end of life care, supporting safe decision-making, timely escalation and consistent standards across the system.
Communication
Support delivery of the hospice digital strategy to enhance access, coordination and clinical workflows. Contribute to, organise and/or chair multidisciplinary meetings as required (e.g., Primary Care Network meetings, Gold Standards Framework, internal MDTs), ensuring clear actions and follow-up. Maintain effective working relationships with community services and partners (e.g., rapid response, district nursing, Hospital at Home, GP practices and voluntary sector) to enable timely, coordinated care. Use advanced communication skills to manage complex and sensitive conversations, including uncertainty, deterioration, dying and bereavement; support shared decision-making and informed choice. Anticipate and address barriers to communication, supporting the team to develop and apply effective communication strategies. Provide and/or facilitate a robust framework of clinical supervision and reflective practice that supports resilience and high-quality care. Ensure contemporaneous, accurate electronic records and information sharing in accordance with professional standards and organisational policy. Identify potential risks to self and others in work activities, environments and processes. Understand specific risks associated with lone working and follow the lone working policy when conducting home visits. Manage identified risks in the best way possible and keep the team informed and engaged. Work in a way that complies with legislation and hospice policies and procedures on health, safety and risk management. Report actual or potential problems that may put health, safety or security at risk and suggest solutions. Support and challenge others in maintaining health, safety and security at work. Work within the safeguarding framework for the protection of vulnerable adults and children.
Education and training
Maintain expert clinical knowledge and skills through evidence-based practice, critical reflection and continuing professional development in line with NMC requirements (including revalidation). Develop, deliver and evaluate education programmes internally and externally, aligned to service priorities and learning needs. Support the induction and ongoing development of staff, including competency frameworks, supervision, coaching, and contribution to appraisal/PDR processes. Provide mentorship and learning opportunities for students and colleagues across disciplines, including clinical placements and inter-professional learning. Promote and participate in audit, service evaluation and (where appropriate) research activity; support the team to engage with audit cycles, implement learning and demonstrate improvement. Ensure compliance with mandatory training and support staff to meet role-specific developmental pathways and professional requirements.
Reporting and data
Ensure high-quality data capture and reporting that describes service demand, activity, outcomes and quality. Use data, audit findings and feedback to identify themes, risks and improvement opportunities; contribute to plans that improve performance and patient/carer experience. Work with the Head of Service to produce regular performance updates, KPI reporting and narratives that support strategic decision-making and service development. Support governance requirements including incident learning, audit cycles, service evaluation and assurance reporting as required.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse (NMC register) Registered Nurse 1 (RN1) Degree level or equivalent study in related subject, such as acute oncology, palliative care, chronic conditions management (or willing to work towards). Post registration qualification or experience in palliative care/oncology or related subject Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards. A willingness to undertake further study at Masters level regardless of point of entry Independent prescriber or willingness to undertake at masters level & practice Clinical Supervision delivery trained Commitment to continuing education and professional development
Desirable
Non-medical prescribing qualification
Advanced Communication skills including negotiation and diplomacy skills
Physical assessment and clinical reasoning (PACR) Managing Qualification Post grad Community Specialist qualification
Self Awareness Essential
Recognises own limitations. Ability to work flexibly and respond to changing or conflicting priorities. Effectively manages multiple tasks and priorities Ability to meet deadlines Work within a framework of resilience
Working with others Essential
Calm and objective. Is assertive not aggressive Treats confidential information sensitively and in line with policy Positive role model to the team and service. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, the ability to relate to a diverse range of people.
Outcome and Results Essential
Ability to work autonomously Managing time, work commitments and priorities. Recognises and understands own roles and responsibilities Able to prioritise and respond appropriately. Shares and communicates information
Leading in your area Essential
Recent, demonstrable expertise in palliative and end of life care, able to provide the clinical foundation to triage complex presentations, offer specialist advice, and support decision-making across settings. In-depth specialist experience in care of patients with complex needs. Recent leadership and people management experience, with evidence of leading service improvement and change. Experience of multi-professional working. Experience of mentorship and teaching Computer literate, able to use word documents, database and e-mail communication. Experience in telemedicine/triage Leading a team, recently, at senior level and evidence of quality improvement project, project management. Experience in working to a high standard of Palliative & EOL care supported by post registration certificate (or willingness to work towards) Quality Improvement experience
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 St Margaret's Somerset Hospice
Address Heron Drive
Bishops Hull
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5HA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)