Job summary

Role: Hospice Nurse Specialist (HNS) or Associate Hospice Nurse Specialist (AHNS)

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Salary: HNS £49,387 - £56,515 per annum

(4-point scale), plus an unsocial hours enhancement of £1,925 based on Point 1.Total annual package: £51,312 per annum

AHNS: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

(4-point scale), plus an unsocial hours enhancement of £1,558 based on Point 1.Total annual package: £41,517 per annum

We have one full-time (1.0 FTE) vacancy, which may be appointed at either HNS or AHNS level. The AHNS role provides a supported development pathway, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to progress into an HNS position. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the role for which they are being considered.

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Registered Nurse (Adult) - to join our Hospice Nurse Specialist team, providing safe, responsive and high-quality specialist palliative care to patients and their families.

This is an opportunity to use your clinical expertise, judgement and communication skills to make a meaningful difference at one of the most important times in peoples lives. We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, emotional resilience and the ability to manage complex and sensitive conversations.

Closing date: 23 October 2026

Interview date: 10 November 2026

Main duties of the job

Experience in palliative care, oncology or managing complex long-term conditions is desirable, although we welcome nurses from all clinical backgrounds who are keen to develop specialist skills. You will need to work autonomously while contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, with a commitment to person-centred specialist palliative care.

Hospice Nurse Specialistworks as an autonomous practitioner, managing a specialist caseload and providing advanced holistic assessment, symptom management (physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual), prescribing and care planning. The role acts as a key resource for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, supporting coordinated care, preventing avoidable hospital admissions and promoting patient choice, dignity and quality of life.

The Associate Hospice Nurse Specialist provides high-quality specialist palliative and end of life care to patients and those important to them across Wigan Borough. Working under the guidance and support of a Hospice Nurse Specialist, the post holder undertakes holistic assessment, care planning and ongoing review for a delegated caseload of patients with palliative and end of life care needs.

Working Pattern - This is a 37-hour-per-week role, worked Monday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The successful candidate will therefore need to be flexible and available to work 10 weekends per year (Saturday and Sunday), including bank holidays where required, in line with an agreed rota.

About us

At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to our people. We know that when our staff feel valued, supported and empowered, they can provide the highest standard of care to the patients and families who rely on us.

As part of our team, you'll benefit from a rewarding working environment and a comprehensive package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security and professional development, including:

• A warm, welcoming and supportive workplace.
• 35 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Subsidised lunches.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Discounts on shopping, leisure and holidays.
• Access to an on-demand GP service.
• Westfield Health Cash Plan.
• Life Assurance.
• A wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

If you are an existing member of the NHS Pension Scheme, your membership may be transferable to this post, provided pension contributions have been made within the previous 12 months.

Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the UKs points-based immigration system. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence of this before taking up the post.Successful appointments will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0309-26-0009

Job locations

Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Kildare Street

Hindley

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN2 3HZ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

** For details of the job description and person specification for this role please refer to the attached job description **

Job description Job responsibilities ** For details of the job description and person specification for this role please refer to the attached job description **

Person Specification

Skill / Ability

Essential

• Effective decision making and critical thinking
• Excellent organisation, time management and ability to work autonomously
• Strong IT, data and reporting skills

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience in palliative and end of life careX
• Experience of caseload management including review of referrals, triage and case reviews
• Experience of using electronic clinical record systems and maintaining high standards of clinical documentation
• Experience of working effectively in a team with the ability to establish and maintain good relationships with the multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of the provision of supervision, development and mentoring of others

Desirable

• Experience working in a community setting
• Experience of delivering formal education sessions

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse (RGN)
• Independent prescribing qualification
• Advanced communication skills training
• Post-registration qualification in palliative care or equivalent specialist experience

Desirable

• Mentorship or coaching qualification

Attributes

Essential

• Self motivated, enthusiastic and committed
• Innovative and forward thinking
• Flexible and responsive to service needs and able to work unsocial hours
• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle insured for business use during shifts

Person Specification Skill / Ability Essential Effective decision making and critical thinking Excellent organisation, time management and ability to work autonomously Strong IT, data and reporting skills Experience Essential Significant post registration experience in palliative and end of life careX Experience of caseload management including review of referrals, triage and case reviews Experience of using electronic clinical record systems and maintaining high standards of clinical documentation Experience of working effectively in a team with the ability to establish and maintain good relationships with the multi-disciplinary team Experience of the provision of supervision, development and mentoring of others Desirable Experience working in a community setting Experience of delivering formal education sessions Qualifications Essential Registered General Nurse (RGN) Independent prescribing qualification Advanced communication skills training Post-registration qualification in palliative care or equivalent specialist experience Desirable Mentorship or coaching qualification Attributes Essential Self motivated, enthusiastic and committed Innovative and forward thinking Flexible and responsive to service needs and able to work unsocial hours Full UK driving licence Access to a vehicle insured for business use during shifts

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

Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Address

Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Kildare Street

Hindley

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN2 3HZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wlh.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Address

Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Kildare Street

Hindley

Wigan

Greater Manchester

WN2 3HZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wlh.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)