Registered Nurse - Out of Hours Palliative Care Team

Haringey GP Federation; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local health services provider is looking for a compassionate and experienced Registered Nurse to join the Out of Hours Palliative Care Team in Sunderland. The role requires delivering high-quality palliative care, working flexibly within a team and community settings. Applicants should have post-registration experience in palliative or cancer care, along with skills in communication and IT. This position offers excellent working conditions and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Continuous Professional Development

Flexible working options

Supportive work culture

Qualifications

• Post registration experience in Palliative/Cancer care in an acute hospital or community healthcare setting.
• Experience in community healthcare settings is essential.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate palliative care for patients.
• Work collaboratively with multi-professional teams for efficient care.
• Ensure continuity and coordination of care between health care teams.

Skills

Palliative care knowledge

Communication skills

IT competence (Microsoft Office)

Ability to work without supervision

Understanding of Palliative Care Philosophy

Education

Relevant degree / working towards Degree in Nursing

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Registered Nurse - Out of Hours Palliative Care Team

The closing date is 01 January 2026

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated, caring, compassionate and experienced nurse to a Band 5 Staff Nurse post in the Sunderland Out of Hours Palliative Care Team. The team is part of an Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Team and provides high quality palliative and end-of-life care during the evening and night, which is timely and meets the needs of patients, carers and families. This relies on a team of knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who can work effectively with themulti-professional teams across different care environments. If you feel you have the skills, knowledge and passion to be part of our team we would like to invite you to apply for this key role which provides excellent nursing care to patients with palliative and end of life care needs in their own home.

Main duties of the job

You will be a key member of the team providing palliative care, advice and support to patients, carers and professionals. The main aims of the service are to:

• Manage pain and other symptoms to enable patients to be cared for at home
• Provide choice and support to patients and families in achieving preferred place of care
• Prevent unnecessary admission to hospital
• Facilitate rapid discharge from hospital for patients at end of life
• Provide advice and support across all care settings to patients, carers and other professionals in relation to palliative and end of life care issues

You will be expected to maintain agreed standards of care, directly protecting and promoting patients' dignity, choices, self‑esteem and well‑being at all times. You will be working within an out of hours service that operates between the hours of 16:00 and 08:45 seven days a week. There are currently two shift patterns in operation to cover the hours of the service. Shift patterns are reviewed regularly and may be subject to periodic change.

Each shift is covered with two members of staff, therefore palliative and end-of-life care experience is essential.

The nominal base for this role will be St Benedicts Hospice and Centre for Specialist Palliative Care in Sunderland, however you may be required to work across the whole of Sunderland and South Tyneside. We offer excellent working conditions and a supportive culture promoting Continuous Professional Development and Life Long Learning.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

IF YOU USE AI, AND IT POSSES A RISK TO THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL RECRUITMENT PROCESS, WE MAY WITHDRAW YOUR APPLICATION AT ANY STAGE OF THE PROCESS.

Job responsibilities

To be responsible and accountable for the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate palliative care for patients designated to the Out of Hours Palliative Care Team Caseload.

To always work to the NMC Code of Practice.

To work alongside the nursing sister/charge nurse, providing skilled palliative care to those with life limiting illnesses within their own home.

Provide skilled emotional support to patient and carers, to assess holistic care needs, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care.

Work collaboratively with multi professional teams to ensure practice is efficient, effective and evidence based.

Ensure effective continuity and coordination of care between hospital, community and primary health care teams.

To comply with the trust's vision, values and behavioural compact.

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Qualifications

• Relevant degree / working towards Degree in Nursing

Experience

• Post registration experience in Palliative/Cancer care in an acute hospital or community healthcare setting
• Community experience
• Research
• Audit
• Clinical Teaching experience

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information
• Able to work without supervision
• Competent in the use of IT such as Microsoft Office
• Evidence of CPD
• Knowledge of national health and social care policy
• Knowledge of evidence based guidelines e.g. NICE guidelines, NPSA alerts, current nursing legislation
• Understanding of Palliative Care Philosophy
• Car Driver
• EMIS/mobile working
• Evidence of knowledge in a link role.
• Care of Dying Patient Document
• Verification of Death
• Evidence of working with PGDs

Physical skills

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy
• Carrying equipment in/out car and patients home as appropriate
• Trained in Moving & Handling Procedures

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.