• Job Description

  Req#: B0614-25-0003?language=en&page=697&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service

  Clinical Nurse Specialist

  Band 7 (Equivalent)

  £46,292 to £53,407 per annum

  Full time (part time may be considered, minimum 22.5 hours per week)

  We are looking for an experienced and caring individual to join our CNS Team to support children and young people with palliative and complex care needs. Forward thinking and with excellent clinical skills you will have the knowledge to provide advanced assessment and symptom management within a specialist childrens palliative care service caring for children, young people and their families.

  Working with the Alexanders Care Team you will act as an expert resource to provide care to children and their families one to one in their own home and in our hospice in Maidenhead. You will have the chance to be part of a dynamic team and to work across different settings.

  Main duties of the job

  This is an outstanding opportunity to work with our growing team, where you will benefit from extensive training and development opportunities, clinical supervision, and a full induction period within a supportive and rewarding environment.

  Working as part of the Alexanders Care Team, this post is to provide holistic care and support to children with a life threatening and life limiting condition and their families across the geographical area supported by Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service.

  The post will involve a flexible, needs led approach to care delivery, supported by the Alexanders Care Team and under the leadership of the Director of Care.

  For an informal discussion call please email Julie Hughes julieh@alexanderdevine.org.

  For an application pack, please email fayd@alexanderdevine.org

  About us

  Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service (Alexander Devine) is a local charity that provides specialist care and vital support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and into surrounding counties.

  We individualise our approach to meet the unique clinical, emotional and practical needs of each child and their family, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support. Our comprehensive range of care services include Respite care, Specialist play, Symptom management, Family support, End of life care and Bereavement support. We provide care from our childrens hospice in Maidenhead as well as in the family home and across the community, including hospitals and schools.

  Our hospice facilities offer opportunities for children and their siblings to experience fun, joy and adventures, and help families make precious memories for as long as they have. These include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, music room, games room, outdoor playground and sensory garden, six childrens bedrooms and two self-contained family flats. We also have a dedicated bereavement suite with its own garden.

  Details

  Date posted

  14 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Other

  Salary

  £46,292 to £53,407 a year pro rata

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Part-time

  Reference number

  B0614-25-0003

  Job locations

  Snowball Hill

  Maidenhead

  Berkshire

  SL6 3LU

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Core Responsibilities

  Professional/Clinical

  1. Provide holistic and evidence based advanced nursing care to children and young people with complex palliative care, pain and symptom management needs

  2. Act as a point of contact for specialist symptom management advice and non medical prescribing (NMP) for all children and young people within Berkshire and into surrounding counties

  3. Participate and contribute towards weekly symptom management team caseload review meetings

  4. As part of the 24/7 on call service, provide telephone advice and where necessary, hands on clinical assessment, advice and symptom management review

  5. Support existing services to provide a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach to the provision of palliative and end of life care for children

  6. Work collaboratively with medical practitioners to provide symptom management advice and support

  7. Ensure all children have appropriate symptom management and advance care plans and be able to write, review and update these as appropriate

  8. Provide support as a keyworker for children, young people and their families

  9. Contribute to ADCHS involvement in the Childrens Palliative Care Networks

  10. Participate in research, audit and evaluation

  11. Identify clinical risk and ensure all risk assessments are undertaken

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Core Responsibilities

  Professional/Clinical

  1. Provide holistic and evidence based advanced nursing care to children and young people with complex palliative care, pain and symptom management needs

  2. Act as a point of contact for specialist symptom management advice and non medical prescribing (NMP) for all children and young people within Berkshire and into surrounding counties

  3. Participate and contribute towards weekly symptom management team caseload review meetings

  4. As part of the 24/7 on call service, provide telephone advice and where necessary, hands on clinical assessment, advice and symptom management review

  5. Support existing services to provide a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach to the provision of palliative and end of life care for children

  6. Work collaboratively with medical practitioners to provide symptom management advice and support

  7. Ensure all children have appropriate symptom management and advance care plans and be able to write, review and update these as appropriate

  8. Provide support as a keyworker for children, young people and their families

  9. Contribute to ADCHS involvement in the Childrens Palliative Care Networks

  10. Participate in research, audit and evaluation

  11. Identify clinical risk and ensure all risk assessments are undertaken

  Person Specification

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of Childrens palliative care and symptom management.
  • Ability to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment.
  • Sound knowledge of symptom management.
  • Strong clinical leadership and people management skills.
  • Ability to coach and supervise.
  • Knowledge of current issues and recent initiatives in childrens health and social care.

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of end-of-life care.
  • Knowledge of grief and bereavement.

  Experience

  Essential

  • Proven palliative care experience with relevant qualifications and experience of working at Bands 6/7 or equivalent.
  • Proven experience of working effectively in a team.
  • Experience of implementing change.
  • Proven experience of managing people/teams.
  • Ability to make high level clinical decisions and leadership decisions.
  • Community experience.

  Desirable

  • Experience of working with children and young people with complex needs and those who are non-verbal.

  Other

  Essential

  • Commitment to the values and ethos of ADCHS.
  • Flexible working hours on a 24 on-call basis.
  • Car Driver.
  • Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Good knowledge of Health and Safety, Safeguarding and infection Control.
  • Able to assess risk to maintain personal safety in a variety of settings.
  • Passed fit for the post by Occupational Health.

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Previous experience in a CNS role (or equivalent)
  • First Level Registered Nurse RSCN on RN Child Branch
  • Evidence of continuous personal and academic development

  Desirable

  • Degree in Paediatric Palliative Care
  • Masters level
  • Advanced level Communication Skills
  • Community qualification
  • Extended paediatric assessment skills (or willingness to work towards)
  • Nurse Prescribing or NMP qualification or willingness to work towards
  • Teaching/mentorship qualification

  Skills and abilities

  Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good influencing skills.
  • Proven teaching skills.
  • Advanced assessment skills.
  • Drive and enthusiasm with a positive approach.
  • Good team member with the ability to work autonomously.
  • Supportive in change management.
  • Caring and empathetic approach.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Flexible and adaptable to a variety of tasks.
  • Ability to prioritise effectively and work under pressure.
  • Uses initiative.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.

  Person Specification

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of Childrens palliative care and symptom management.
  • Ability to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment.
  • Sound knowledge of symptom management.
  • Strong clinical leadership and people management skills.
  • Ability to coach and supervise.
  • Knowledge of current issues and recent initiatives in childrens health and social care.

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of end-of-life care.
  • Knowledge of grief and bereavement.

  Experience

  Essential

  • Proven palliative care experience with relevant qualifications and experience of working at Bands 6/7 or equivalent.
  • Proven experience of working effectively in a team.
  • Experience of implementing change.
  • Proven experience of managing people/teams.
  • Ability to make high level clinical decisions and leadership decisions.
  • Community experience.

  Desirable

  • Experience of working with children and young people with complex needs and those who are non-verbal.

  Other

  Essential

  • Commitment to the values and ethos of ADCHS.
  • Flexible working hours on a 24 on-call basis.
  • Car Driver.
  • Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Good knowledge of Health and Safety, Safeguarding and infection Control.
  • Able to assess risk to maintain personal safety in a variety of settings.
  • Passed fit for the post by Occupational Health.

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Previous experience in a CNS role (or equivalent)
  • First Level Registered Nurse RSCN on RN Child Branch
  • Evidence of continuous personal and academic development

  Desirable

  • Degree in Paediatric Palliative Care
  • Masters level
  • Advanced level Communication Skills
  • Community qualification
  • Extended paediatric assessment skills (or willingness to work towards)
  • Nurse Prescribing or NMP qualification or willingness to work towards
  • Teaching/mentorship qualification

  Skills and abilities

  Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good influencing skills.
  • Proven teaching skills.
  • Advanced assessment skills.
  • Drive and enthusiasm with a positive approach.
  • Good team member with the ability to work autonomously.
  • Supportive in change management.
  • Caring and empathetic approach.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Flexible and adaptable to a variety of tasks.
  • Ability to prioritise effectively and work under pressure.
  • Uses initiative.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.

  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).

  Additional information

  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

  Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service

  Address

  Snowball Hill

  Maidenhead

  Berkshire

  SL6 3LU

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://alexanderdevine.org/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service

  Address

  Snowball Hill

  Maidenhead

  Berkshire

  SL6 3LU

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://alexanderdevine.org/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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