Specialist Palliative Care Education and Development Lead

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Palliative Care Education and Development Lead

The closing date is 05 May 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Education Team and delivery of education for Specialist Palliative care in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with significant experience as a senior nurse within Specialist palliative care to join the existing team and lead on the delivery and development of ongoing education that is required to support Palliative and end of life training.

The candidate will have direct line management for the end of life care facilitators across the community and acute trust.

Main duties of the job

The applicant would need to have experience within education delivery for palliative and end of life care and have significant experience at a senior nurse level within specialist palliative care. Evidence of education to master's degree level and PGCE or equivalent and/or significant experience in education and training.

Experience of leading and managing a Team, there will be direct line management of the end-of-life care facilitators across the community and acute trust.

The applicant will be required to work clinically into Day services to support Specialist palliative care assessments at least weekly.

Evidence of ongoing professional development and the ability to lead, motivate and support individuals within the Team to develop.

Research and audit experience to support development of Training and education programmes based on current Palliative and end of life initiatives. Locally, regionally and nationally.

The role will sit with the community Directorate but will support training and education in line with the trust education department at the acute site.

There will be an expectation that candidates have skills and knowledge of current NHS policies and strategies as well as the relevant Palliative care initiatives and be able to use this information to develop training and education.

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 / 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's 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 poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to lead, develop and implement a palliative and end of life care education and training strategy across South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

• Lead on the standardisation of palliative care and end of life care education and training
• Manage the education team, including End of Life Care Facilitators, across the organisation
• To work under the direction of the Directorate Manager and Matron at a strategic level to market the education service and generate income to continuously influence and improve patient care through the delivery of education and training
• To lead research and audit in relation to education and clinical practice
• To demonstrate the outcomes of education and training through research and audit and other methods
• To produce education and training programmes and actively teach on such
• To develop the multiprofessional team/service through research-based practice and lead practice development activities, thus appropriately identifying and implementing new ideas/research findings
• To manage the Gold Standards Framework Regional Training Centre and programmes
• Ensure training and educational resources are available and disseminated using innovative platforms and techniques, utilising digital resources where possible to promote sustainability of education delivery
• The post-holder is expected to work in a patient-centred way, involve service users, respond positively to feedback from user groups and promote teamwork in education and training across the organisation
• The post holder would be expected to work clinically within Day Services carrying out specialist palliative care assessments, a minimum of one day per week
• To reference health inequalities and diversity in the development and delivery of education
• To comply with the Trust's vision, values and behavioural compact
• For full job description see attachment

Person Specification Qualifications

• Professional registration (e.g. Nursing, Midwifery or AHP)
• Degree in healthcare-related subject (UK equivalent)
• Masters level study, or equivalent specialist study / experience
• Clinical skills course
• PGCE or demonstrable equivalent experience

Experience

• Clinically credible, with significant experience at senior nurse level/specialist palliative care
• Evidence of ongoing professional, personal and academic development
• Research or audit experience
• Experience of working at a senior level in an area requiring a broad range of complex and technically challenging skills
• Knowledge and understanding of current relevant NHS policy or project-specific policy context
• Evidence of developing and leading programmes of education/training
• Evidence of participating in clinical audit

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS Policies and strategy
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent verbal briefing and communication skills
• Ability to lead and manage change
• Advanced communication skills
• Knowledge of, or experience with Gold Standard Framework
• Experience of delivering advanced communication skill training
• Sage and Thyme facilitator

Physical skills

• Advanced level communication skills to identify and manage the personal learning and development needs of students
• Requirement to drive to external training/meeting venues and transport training material such as laptops, stationery, etc.
• Long periods of time working at a computer; advanced IT skills will be required
• Meet the physical requirements of the post, subject to any requirements for the Trust to make reasonable adjustments for the post-holder
• Manual dexterity and up to date working knowledge of equipment, e.g. syringe drivers, etc.
• Ability to meet travel requirements of the role
• Full UK license with access to own vehicle

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust