Hospice Nurse Specialist (HNS) or Associate Hospice Nurse Specialist (AHNS)
WN2 3HZ
37 hours
23/10/2026
Role: Hospice Nurse Specialist (HNS) or Associate Hospice Nurse Specialist (AHNS)Hours: 37 hoursContract: PermanentSalary: HNS £49,387 – £56,515 per annum(4-point scale), plus an unsocial hour’s enhancement of £1,925 based on Point 1.Total annual package: £51,312 per annumAHNS: £39,959 – £48,117 per annum(4-point scale), plus an unsocial hour’s enhancement of £1,558 based on Point 1.Total annual package: £41,517 per annum
***Appointments are normally made at Point 1 of the salary scale, in line with the organisation’s pay policy. A higher starting salary may be considered where the successful candidate demonstrates relevant experience, skills and competencies for the role.**
Closing date: 23 October 2026Interview date: 10 November 2026
Do you have a passion for palliative care? Would you like to be part of an Outstanding-rated hospice team, providing compassionate care that makes a genuine difference to patients and those important to them?
At Wigan & Leigh Hospice, our people are at the heart of everything we do.Together, we deliver outstanding specialist care and support to people living with life-limiting illnesses and those important to them. Every member of our team plays an important role in helping us deliver the highest standards of care across our community.
We are proud to be rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting the dedication, expertise and compassion of our colleagues and volunteers.
Our values: Compassion, Accessibility, Respect and Excellence – are at the heart of everything we do.
Why join 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.
About the RoleWe 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 people’s lives. We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, emotional resilience and the ability to manage complex and sensitive conversations.
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.
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.
Hospice Nurse Specialists work 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 PatternThis is a 37-hour-per-week role, worked Monday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The post includes participation in a rotational weekend shift pattern. 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.
Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the UK’s 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 as part of the pre-employment screening process
If you have not heard from us within two weeks after the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. We appreciate the time and effort taken to apply and thank you for your interest in joining our team.
About usFor more than 40 years, Wigan & Leigh Hospice has supported people living with life-limiting illnesses and those important to them across our local community.
As an independent charity, we provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care tailored to the needs of each individual.
Our services support people physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually, helping them achieve the best possible quality of life while ensuring dignity, comfort and choice remain at the centre of their care.
We are committed to protect the privacy and security of your personal information. To see how we do this please visit our website and read our “Role Applicants Data Protection Compliance Statement (Privacy Notice)”.
If you’d like to know more about this role before applying, please get in touch with our team.
We provides specialist care and support to people across the Wigan borough who are living with a life-limiting illness.
The care we provide is only possible because of our people. At Wigan & Leigh Hospice, we’re proud to offer meaningful employee benefits that reflect our commitment to making this a great place to work – and a place where everyone feels valued.
Training and development
We recognise that training and development needs can arise at any time and aim to provide the most appropriate support – from self-directed learning to formal education and training.
All hospice employees receive an annual appraisal – a chance for open, honest and supportive discussion with their manager about performance, goals, and development needs.
Employee assistance
We offer employee assistance programmes to support health and wellbeing. These include counselling, wellbeing resources, and access to expert advisors on a range of topics.
Our Wellbeing Champions are on hand to listen, offer resources, and signpost colleagues to the right support – all while promoting positive health and wellbeing.
We support our employees to balance work and home life by considering flexible working arrangements. All eligible staff have the right to request flexible working.
Employees receive an annual incremental rise within their pay scale, allowing progression in post up to the top of the band. This is in addition to any pay award that may be implemented.
Annual leave
Employees receive a generous annual leave entitlement of 35 days, including bank holidays. Part-time staff receive leave pro-rata to their hours.
Employees pay a minimum contribution of 3% and can choose to pay more, while the hospice contributes 7%. Qualified clinical staff may remain in the NHS pension scheme, if eligible.
We offer enhanced sick pay from the first year of service.
Maternity and adoption
We offer enhanced maternity pay through our Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP) policy. We also provide an occupational adoption payment scheme, which you may be entitled to.
Life assurance
For employees not in the NHS pension scheme, we offer a Group Life Assurance Benefit Scheme that provides cover at three times your current salary until you leave the hospice or reach the age of 65.
Free parking
We offer free parking at the hospice in a well-lit, easily accessible car park.
Subsidised meals
Subsidised Meals
Our catering team serves fresh, home-cooked meals daily at a subsidised rate – from three-course options to lighter bites.
Blue Light Card
As our payroll is processed by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, employees are entitled to a Blue Light Card, giving access to discounts both online and in store.
Cycle to Work
A government-backed scheme offering tax-free bikes and accessories with no upfront costs. Save money while making healthier journeys to work.
Training and development
We recognise that training and development needs can arise at any time and aim to provide the most appropriate support – from self-directed learning to formal education and training.
All hospice employees receive an annual appraisal – a chance for open, honest and supportive discussion with their manager about performance, goals, and development needs.
Employee assistance
We offer employee assistance programmes to support health and wellbeing. These include counselling, wellbeing resources, and access to expert advisors on a range of topics.
Our Wellbeing Champions are on hand to listen, offer resources, and signpost colleagues to the right support – all while promoting positive health and wellbeing.
We support our employees to balance work and home life by considering flexible working arrangements. All eligible staff have the right to request flexible working.
Employees receive an annual incremental rise within their pay scale, allowing progression in post up to the top of the band. This is in addition to any pay award that may be implemented.
Annual leave
Employees receive a generous annual leave entitlement of 35 days, including bank holidays. Part-time staff receive leave pro-rata to their hours.
Employees pay a minimum contribution of 3% and can choose to pay more, while the hospice contributes 7%. Qualified clinical staff may remain in the NHS pension scheme, if eligible.
We offer enhanced sick pay from the first year of service.
June lives with MND and has received assistance from both our Hospice in your Home and complementary therapy team here at the hospice for two years. Here, June shares her story with the help of her husband, Colin.
Three of our wonderful volunteers – Vicky from Sri Lanka, and Liubov and Viktoriia from Ukraine, are volunteers at our charity superstore on Robin Retail Park. Here, they tell us how their volunteering roles have supported them to not only develop their English language skills, but to make friends in their local area too.
June lives with MND and has received assistance from both our Hospice in your Home and complementary therapy team here at the hospice for two years. Here, June shares her story with the help of her husband, Colin.
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