Community Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist North

Job Summary

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high‑performing organisation rated Outstanding by the CQC for our Palliative and End‑of‑Life Care. This substantive permanent Band 7 post offers an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced nurse to work within the Specialist Palliative Care in the Community setting, North Durham team.

The core working hours are 09:00‑17:00, spanning a seven‑day period. Weekends and bank holidays are rostered across the team in accordance with CDDFT policy.

• Reference number: C
• Band: 7
• Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pro‑rata
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Part‑time
• Locations:
  Shotley Bridge Hospital, Woodlands Road, Consett, DH8 0NB
  ;
  Chester Le Street Community Hospital, Front Street, Chester Le Street, County Durham, DH3 3AT

• Provide a consistent high‑quality specialist palliative care service for patients and families.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and leadership skills, and be committed to developing practice.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team and build effective relationships with role colleagues, while acting autonomously when needed.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients and carers.
• Provide specialist advice.
• Provide day‑to‑day supervision and/or clinical supervision to others.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We also serve planned care at Bishop Auckland, community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, and over 80 other community‑based settings, including patient homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

• Highly developed knowledge of palliative care, pain and symptom control management
• First level degree in a related subject
• Post‑basic qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject
• Sound knowledge of national and regional policies influencing palliative care services
• Advanced communication skills training, or willingness to undertake
• Knowledge of cancer treatment modalities and implications
• Independent Nurse Prescriber, or willingness to undertake
• Evidence of teaching qualification (Cert Ed or equivalent)
• Good understanding of organisational priorities of relevant organisations
• Awareness of current political and organisational climate
• Evidence of Masters level learning, or prepared to work towards

• Degree level qualification in palliative care
• UCPD in physical assessment skills
• Post‑registration qualification in cancer nursing
• Evidence of counselling qualification
• Understanding of audit methodologies
• Research qualification

• Experience working as a nurse
• Relevant post‑registration experience in cancer, palliative care or a relevant specialty
• In‑depth specialist experience
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Leadership and management experience
• Experience of teaching

• Proactive approach to palliative and end‑of‑life care; understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK
• Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist
• Experience of audit and research

• Active 1st Level NMC Adult Registration

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
• Well presented application
• Assertive and confident yet approachable and supportive manner
• Professionally credible
• Flexibility in approach to work and in the range of duties/hours of work
• Demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm
• Diplomatic
• Calm and objective
• Self‑motivated
• Recognition of own limitations

• Ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture
• Ability to demonstrate track record of practice development
• Excellent communication and counselling skills in clinical settings and with other healthcare professionals
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing at…